How safeguarding and children’s welfare and wellbeing underpin the September 2026 updates to early years inspections

We’re now 7 months into inspecting early years registered settings using our renewed inspection framework. What we’re hearing so far is positive – leaders have told us that the renewed approach has felt clear, collaborative and grounded in what matters most for our youngest children. We’ve heard feedback that inspections feel rooted in professional dialogue, where leaders feel able to talk openly about their work rather than feel like they need to perform.

We remain committed to improving how it feels to be inspected, while continuing to encourage and support settings to raise standards. It’s important that we continue to hear from you as settings, leaders and educators to raise standards for babies and children. This includes hearing feedback through the complaints process.

As part of this, we will be updating our early years toolkit, operating guide and inspection information annually, so that it stays up to date with statutory guidance. We also hope it gives you time to read and understand what we will look at on inspection, and more certainty and confidence about how you’ll be held to account over the next 12 months.

Read the full Ofsted: early years blog here: How safeguarding and children’s welfare and wellbeing underpin the September 2026 updates to early years inspections – Ofsted: early years