Preparing for an Ofsted early years inspection
Short answer: group settings usually get a call the working day before. The inspection lasts about 3 hours for childminders and 4 to 6 hours for group settings, normally with one inspector. You must tell parents once you’re notified. Before the call, the inspector reads your past reports and your website.
Updated 2 November 2026 from Ofsted’s early years inspection guidance for use from 1 September 2026. For settings on the Early Years Register in England.
How it runs
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before the call | The inspector reads your previous reports, any concerns Ofsted holds, press coverage and your website, if you have one. |
| Notification call | Group settings: usually by 10am on the working day before. Childminders and settings that don’t open every day may get a call up to 5 working days ahead to check when children will be there. Ofsted can also inspect without notice. |
| Same day | A planning call of about 30 minutes, usually by video, to talk about your setting, its strengths and priorities, and the timetable. You choose a nominee to support you. |
| Inspection day | Not normally before 8am. About 3 hours for childminders, 4 hours for settings open restricted hours, 6 hours for full-day settings. |
| End of the day | A grading discussion and provisional grades. Don’t share them with parents or publicly yet. |
| Afterwards | A draft report card to check for factual accuracy within 5 working days, then the final report card, normally within 30 working days. It’s published on Ofsted’s website 5 working days later. |
Most settings are inspected at least once in a four-year window, phased in from April 2026. New settings are usually inspected within 18 months of registering. See Ofsted grades explained for how grades set the next inspection date.
Documents to have to hand
Ofsted asks for these, among others. Have them ready online or on paper. You don’t need to create anything new.
- Paediatric first aid arrangements
- DBS records and staff vetting and employment checks, including volunteers in regulated activity (not needed for childminders, their assistants or household members)
- Records of accidents
- Referrals to the local authority designated officer and how they were resolved
- Details of children who are an open case to children’s services with a multi-agency plan
- Records of children refused a place
- Your register, including any children present who aren’t on it
What inspectors look at
- Children’s day: observations, often alongside you, including mealtimes, sleep times and the start and end of the day.
- Sleep, weaning and safer eating: Ofsted checks that the statutory guidance is understood and followed. See the safer sleep rules.
- Safeguarding culture, including allegations about adults and how you responded.
- Inclusion: children with SEND, disadvantaged children, and how you’ve spent early years pupil premium.
- Parents’ views, gathered at drop-off and pick-up or by phone for childminders.
The parent-facing checklist
The inspector reads your website before the visit, and talks to parents on the day. Before your next inspection, check that parents can find:
- Your latest inspection outcome, linked to the report on Ofsted’s website, and no out-of-date grade wording. See report cards on your website.
- The eight things the EYFS says you must share: full list.
- Current, dated policies, especially safeguarding, sleep, complaints and SEND.
- Fees, funded hours and chargeable extras: funding rules.
- How to contact you, and how to contact Ofsted with a concern.
Not sure? Our free website checker reads your site in about 15 seconds.
Questions
How much notice does Ofsted give a nursery?
Group settings normally get a phone call on the working day before, usually by 10am. Childminders and settings that don’t open every day may get a call up to 5 working days before to check when children will be present. Ofsted can inspect without notice if it needs to.
How long does an early years inspection take?
Around 3 hours for childminders, 4 hours for group settings open restricted hours, and 6 hours for full-day group settings. Usually one inspector.
Do I have to tell parents about the inspection?
Yes. Once you’re notified, you must tell parents an inspection is taking place and let the inspector display a poster explaining it.
Does Ofsted look at my website?
Ofsted’s operating guide tells inspectors to review the setting’s website, if it has one, while preparing for the inspection, alongside previous reports and any other information Ofsted holds.
Do I need to prepare evidence for the inspector?
No. Ofsted says settings don’t need to do extra work or set up activities for the inspection, or provide evidence beyond what the inspector asks for or the EYFS requires. Have your usual records easy to reach.
Can I tell parents my grades after the inspection?
Not yet. Grades are provisional until the final report card arrives. You can share findings with staff and those responsible for your setting, but not publicly or with parents until then.
Sources
- Early years inspection information, Ofsted, for use from 1 September 2026
- Early years inspection operating guide for inspectors, Ofsted, for use from 1 September 2026
- Early years inspection toolkit, operating guide and information, Ofsted
More guides: all our guides for nurseries, childminders and schools.
Is your website ready for the inspector?
Send us your setting’s name. Within two working days we’ll check what an inspector and parents see on your website and tell you what to fix first. Free, and no sales call unless you ask for one.
Get a free website check