аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±

January 2024

There have been several updates to the Early Years Inspection Handbook to reflect the Department for Education’s changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage for January 2024. Changes include clarification and updated wording for many existing paragraphs, for example paragraph 108: wording updated to reflect that discussions with parents during inspection must take place without the presence of leaders or staff. 

In addition, аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±â€¯have clarified what providers can expect regarding the inspector’s conduct during inspection and how during the notification call, they will ask providers about what support they may need, if they have any issues or concerns. 

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±â€¯has confirmed they will check on the notification call whether a setting feels that it can go ahead with the inspection and offer clarification on how, when and what happens if a deferral is requested.   

A summary of the most recent changes can be found . 

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±â€™s formal deferral policy is available .

Update March 2024: аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± EIF inspections and the EYFS

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± has also updated its guidance regarding what schools and registered early years providers need to know about delivering the revised early years foundation stage (EYFS), and аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± inspections under the inspection framework. 

Update January 2024: Early years inspection handbook

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± has shared an updated inspection handbook, including:

• changes on the EYFS disapplications
• EYFS reforms
• a new section dispelling myths that result in unnecessary workload for providers

What is аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±?

The Office for Standards in Education, Childcare Services and Skills (аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±) is the government department that regulates and inspects different types of childcare provision in England to make sure that the quality of care and education meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Most settings for pre-school children must on the Early Years Register. If the setting also cares for children from five to eight years old, as part of an out-of-school or holiday club for example, it must also register with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± on the Childcare Register. There are some  for temporary or informal childcare arrangements.

As a registered childcare provision you must give details of the ‘registered person’ who has overall responsibility for the childcare service you provide.

Who is the registered person?

You can register with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± as an individual (for example, in the case of a childminder or sole trader) or as an organisation (for example, if the setting is run by a committee, or the directors of a company). If you’re applying as an organisation, then you’ll still be known as the ‘registered person’.

The registered person is responsible for ensuring that there are suitable people working at the setting, and that the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage are met.

Who can be the nominated person?

When the registered person is a group of people, they share responsibility for the childcare provision. However, the group must appoint a ‘nominated person’ when they apply for registration, who must be a member of the organisation’s governing body, i.e. a trustee (committee member), partner, director or someone in a comparable position. This person represents the childcare provision as the main contact with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±.

What does an аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± inspection involve?

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± inspects childcare services at least every four years to see in practice what it is like for a child to attend the setting. аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± grades the service as either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate. If you are a new setting or have re-registered with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± because of a change of premises or status, your first inspection will take place within 30 months of registration.

аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± normally phones settings around midday the day before an inspection, so that the inspector can see the setting as it really is, and to reduce the stress of anticipating an inspection. Childminders and group providers who do not operate regularly are usually contacted no more than five days before the inspection to check which days the setting is operating and whether children will be present.

As a rough guide, inspections take around three hours for childminders, while for group provision, the inspector will normally be on site for at least six hours. The inspector will judge the setting based on its overall effectiveness; the effectiveness of leadership and management; the quality of teaching, learning and assessment; the children’s personal development, behaviour and welfare; and the outcomes for children.

After the inspection, a report is made publicly available on the . You are expected to reflect on аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±â€™s findings and share them with parents and carers.

Did you know?

—&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Alliance members get free CPD-approved online training with leading provider EduCare. This includes Managing your аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± inspection, which covers the inspection process, how to prepare, and how to interact positively with the inspector.