Ofsted has published its updated Early Years Inspection Toolkit, alongside revisions to the Early Years Inspection Operating Guide and Inspection Information documents. The changes will come into force from September 2026 and provide further clarity on how inspections will be carried out and the standards providers will be expected to meet.
While many of the changes refine existing expectations, there are several notable developments that early years leaders, managers and practitioners should be aware of.
Strengthened Focus on Safeguarding
A significant theme running throughout the updates is safeguarding.
The toolkit now includes additional information outlining practitioners’ responsibilities to protect children from harm, alongside greater clarity around safeguarding expectations and inspection standards.
Ofsted has also strengthened safeguarding grading criteria, making it clearer that safeguarding standards are not met where the quality of care has resulted in children being harmed or placed at risk of harm.
These changes reinforce the importance of safeguarding being fully embedded in everyday practice and not simply evidenced through policies and procedures.
New Standards for Safe Sleeping, Eating and Weaning
One of the most significant additions is an increased focus on babies’ welfare.
The updated toolkit includes:
- Additional evidence-gathering prompts relating to statutory guidance on safe sleeping arrangements.
- Further guidance on safer eating and weaning practices.
- A new welfare and wellbeing standard specifically focused on safe sleeping, eating and weaning.
Inspectors will also be expected to check how providers are implementing this guidance during inspection.
Providers caring for babies should review their current policies, staff training and practice to ensure they align with statutory expectations.
Greater Emphasis on Inclusion
Several updates strengthen the focus on inclusion.
The toolkit now includes:
- Additional information relating to children with Personal Education Plans.
- Updates to inspection arrangements that ensure inspectors engage with Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) and other inclusion leaders.
- Additional opportunities for inspectors to gather information from professionals supporting vulnerable children, including Virtual School Heads where appropriate.
These changes highlight the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of all children, particularly those facing barriers to learning, wellbeing or participation.
Clarification Around Learning and Development Requirements
Ofsted has included additional information for inspectors when evaluating settings that have exemptions from parts of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements.
This provides greater consistency in how inspections are carried out where exemptions are in place.
There is also clarification that references to vocabulary within the toolkit relate specifically to English vocabulary.
Mathematics Teaching Expectations Clarified
An additional evidence-gathering prompt has been included to support inspectors when evaluating how settings teach mathematics explicitly.
This reflects the continued importance Ofsted places on children’s mathematical development and practitioners’ role in helping children build mathematical understanding through purposeful teaching and interactions.
Updates to Grading Standards
The grading standards have been updated to make clear that providers must meet both:
- The standards set out within the inspection toolkit.
- The relevant requirements of the EYFS statutory framework.
A duplicated grading standard has also been removed to improve consistency across the framework.
Changes to Inspection Practice
The Early Years Inspection Operating Guide includes several practical changes that providers should be aware of.
These include:
Equality Act Considerations
Inspectors and providers are reminded of their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, with additional guidance provided.
Mobile Phone Use
Inspectors are now expected to align their use of mobile phones with the provider’s own mobile phone policy while on site.
DBS and Recruitment Checks
Inspectors will prioritise reviewing DBS records and discussing recruitment arrangements and paediatric first aid during inspection.
Inspection Day Arrangements
Updates have been made regarding:
- Settings that do not operate regularly.
- Settings with no children on roll or present during the inspection window.
- Notification procedures.
- Access arrangements for inspection sites.
Communication and Support
Communication and Support
Inspection Information Updates
The information provided to settings ahead of inspection has also been updated.
Key changes include:
- Greater emphasis on inspectors engaging with leaders responsible for inclusion.
- Confirmation of who will attend end-of-day reflection and grading meetings.
- Reinforcement that inspectors will speak with SENCos and other relevant inclusion leaders.
- Confirmation that inspectors will check implementation of safe sleeping, weaning and safer eating guidance.
What Should Providers Do Next?
With implementation scheduled for September 2026, providers have time to review current practice and prepare for the changes.
Key areas for consideration include:
- Reviewing safeguarding culture and responsibilities.
- Updating training around safe sleeping, weaning and safer eating.
- Ensuring inclusion systems and leadership arrangements are robust.
- Reviewing recruitment, DBS and first aid records.
- Refreshing staff understanding of inspection expectations.
- Checking that policies and procedures align with the updated toolkit.
While many of the updates provide additional clarity rather than introducing entirely new requirements, they offer a clear indication of the areas Ofsted will be paying closer attention to during future inspections.
For leaders, now is the ideal time to familiarise themselves with the revised toolkit and begin discussions with staff about what the changes mean in practice.
A summary of the changes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-toolkit-operating-guide-and-information/summary-of-changes
And the full updated early years toolkit, operating guide and inspection information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-inspection-toolkit-operating-guide-and-information