At the 2025 Nursery World Business Summit in London, Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, delivered a speech that outlined a transformative vision for the future of early years education and inspection. His address, delivered to a room of dedicated early years professionals, celebrated the sector’s achievements while proposing significant changes to how Ofsted inspects and supports nurseries and other early years providers.
Here’s a breakdown of the key themes and proposals from his speech:
Celebrating the Early Years Sector
Martyn Oliver began by acknowledging the vital role early years providers play in shaping children’s futures. He praised the sector for its dedication to laying the foundation for lifelong learning and development, emphasising the importance of the early years in setting children on the right path.
Proposed Changes to Ofsted’s Inspection Framework
Oliver’s speech focused on Ofsted’s proposed changes to its inspection framework, which aim to better support early years providers, inform parents, and ensure high-quality care and education for all children.
1. Retaining the Best of the Current Framework
Oliver stressed that the new proposals would retain the strengths of the existing framework, including its focus on communication, language, and safeguarding. These elements, he noted, have driven higher standards and ensured that early years providers prioritise what truly matters for children’s development.
2. Better Informing Parents
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new “report card” system. These report cards will replace the current single-word overall effectiveness grades (e.g., “Outstanding” or “Good”) with more detailed, nuanced information about each provider.
Oliver explained that this change is designed to help parents make more informed decisions when choosing a nursery. The report cards will highlight what makes each setting unique, showcasing its strengths and areas for improvement in greater detail.
3. Prioritising Inclusion
Inclusion is at the heart of Ofsted’s new proposals. Oliver announced the introduction of a dedicated evaluation area focused on how providers support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. This focus will also be woven into every other aspect of the inspection process.
Oliver reiterated his belief that “if you’re getting it right for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, you’ll be getting it right for all your children.”
4. Simplifying Inspections for Providers
Recognising the challenges faced by early years providers, Oliver emphasised that the new framework aims to make inspections simpler and more tailored. Ofsted has developed bespoke inspection toolkits specifically for the early years sector, ensuring that inspections reflect the unique nature of early years education.
Inspectors will be trained to adapt their approach based on the age and stage of the children, as well as the specific context of each setting. This tailored approach aims to reduce unnecessary burdens on providers and ensure that inspections are fair and relevant.
5. Building on Existing Standards
The new framework is rooted in the existing Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory requirements. Oliver reassured providers that Ofsted is not introducing new expectations but rather building on the standards they already meet.
The evaluation areas will focus on key elements such as:
- Safe and supportive environments
- Well-designed curricula
- Staff development and support
- Children’s progress across all areas of learning
- A balance of explicit teaching, purposeful play, and positive interactions
6. New Grading System
The current single-word grading system will be replaced with a more detailed approach. Providers will receive one of five grades for each evaluation area:
- Exemplary: Exceptional practice
- Strong: Exceeding standards
- Secure: Meeting EYFS requirements
- Attention Needed: Areas requiring improvement
- Causing Concern: Significant issues that need addressing
Oliver emphasised that this system will provide a more accurate and nuanced picture of a provider’s strengths and areas for development.
Supporting Providers to Grow
Oliver acknowledged the challenges faced by early years providers, particularly in recruiting and retaining qualified staff. He reiterated Ofsted’s commitment to maintaining high standards while exploring ways to make it easier for providers to expand and offer high-quality care to more children.
However, he expressed concerns about the government’s new experience-based route into the profession, emphasising that any new pathways must maintain the high standards necessary to ensure children receive the best possible care and education.
Join the Consultation
Oliver concluded his speech with a plea for early years professionals to participate in Ofsted’s consultation on the proposed changes. He encouraged providers to share their insights and experiences to help shape a framework that works for everyone.
The consultation, which runs until 28th April, is an opportunity for providers to highlight any ambiguities, suggest improvements, and ensure that the new framework reflects the realities of their work.
Final Thoughts
Martyn Oliver’s speech at the Nursery World Business Summit marked a significant moment for the early years sector. His proposals reflect a commitment to improving the inspection process, supporting providers, and ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.
By prioritising inclusion, simplifying inspections, and providing more detailed feedback to parents, Ofsted aims to create a system that celebrates the unique strengths of early years providers while driving continuous improvement.
As the consultation progresses, the early years sector has a crucial role to play in shaping the future of inspections. Oliver’s call to action is a reminder that the collective expertise of early years professionals is essential to creating a framework that truly works for children, families, and providers alike.
