Early years Ofsted inspection

This article is brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Early Years team for the attention of all Early Years providers. 

The new Ofsted inspection framework places a sharper lens on learning and development in Early Years.

According to Ofsted’s 2025 Early Years inspection framework, the curriculum must be ambitious, inclusive, well‑sequenced, and responsive to children’s needs, with a strong focus on disadvantaged children, SEND inclusion, and how learning and development are sustained through everyday practice.

Inspectors will be looking closely at curriculum and considering:-

The DfE provides curriculum development support for EY settings 

https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/...

Early years inspection: toolkit, operating guide and information - GOV.UK

Ofsted inspections of early years and childcare providers - GOV.UK

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK