How are Ofsted Inspections Changing?

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages in England including Early years settings and child minders. 

At Busy Bees, we know how important it is for parents to feel confident in the care and education their child receives. That’s why we want to share the big changes Ofsted is making from 10th November 2025 –  and what they mean for you and your family.

These updates are designed to give parents clearer, more detailed information about nurseries and early years settings.

Key Updates to Ofsted Inspections

A New 5-Point Grading Scale

The four previous single word judgements  (“Outstanding”, “Good”, “Requires Improvement”, “Inadequate”) are being replaced by a five-point scale:

• Exceptional 
• Strong standard
• Expected standard 
• Needs attention
• Urgent improvement

It's also worth noting that the addition of a fifth grade (exceptional) allows Ofsted to recognise nurseries that go above and beyond. To achieve an exceptional outcome, a nursery would need to be sector leading and will be asked to write a case study to be published by Ofsted. 

Report Cards Instead of Single Judgements

Instead of one overall grade, nurseries will now receive an Ofsted report card. This will include:

• A colour-coded grade for each area of the inspection
• A short summary explaining the decision in each area
• Information about the setting including what it’s like to be a child at the nursery 

Parents will be able to see a fuller picture of each nursery, including both strengths and areas for development.

New Areas of Evaluation

Ofsted inspections will now look at six main areas, with safeguarding judged separately:

• Achievement 
• Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines 
• Children’s welfare and well-being 
• Curriculum and teaching 
• Inclusion 
• Leadership and governance 

This broader framework means parents will have a more detailed view of how nurseries perform across different aspects of care and education.

Safeguarding Judged Separately

Safeguarding will be reported on its own, with nurseries graded either “met” or “not met.”

If safeguarding is judged as “not met,” this will be highlighted prominently, and immediate action will follow. Inspectors will check that all staff understand safeguarding procedures and can respond effectively to concerns.

Other Key Changes

• From April 2026 inspections  for nurseries will take place every four years instead of every six.
• Inclusion will be a central focus and threaded throughout  ensuring all providers show how they support disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs or disabilities.
• Ofsted has committed to a more collaborative approach to inspection, recognising the workload and well-being of staff while keeping children’s experiences at the heart of the process.

How are Busy Bees Responding to the Ofsted change?

At Busy Bees, we are preparing for these changes by ensuring our nurseries are fully aligned with the new framework. We are working closely with Ofsted to complete pilot inspections, helping to ensure a smooth rollout.  We can say that with the support from Ofsted we will continue delivering the highest levels of childcare and education.

The first four years of a child’s life are a vital part of their education, and our Bee Curious curriculum is fully aligned with the new framework to encourage school readiness and provide the skills children need to give them a head start in life.