Every Baby, Every Child: Ofsted’s New Vision for Early Years
At the recent Childcare & Education Expo, Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, set out a clear and ambitious vision for reforming how early years settings are inspected. His speech highlighted both a fresh approach to accountability and a stronger commitment to supporting the sector, with one core principle running through it: every baby, every child deserves the very best start in life.
A New Grading System
One of the most significant changes announced is the transition to a five-point grading scale. Instead of the current “Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate,” the new system will provide more nuance, ranging from “Urgent Improvement” to “Exceptional.” This shift aims to give parents clearer insights, while recognising excellence in practice that goes beyond “good.”
Focus on Inclusion and Vulnerable Children
Oliver placed strong emphasis on inclusion. Inspections will now place greater weight on how providers support children with SEND and other vulnerabilities. This reflects growing concerns across the sector that early years must not only deliver high-quality education but also act as a foundation for equity.
Reducing Burden, Increasing Clarity
The reforms also respond to sector feedback about workload and stress. Changes include clearer scheduling of inspections, better alignment with existing frameworks, and a move towards narrative-style reports. The intention is to provide constructive feedback rather than simply judgement, with a sharper focus on context.
What This Means for the Sector
For practitioners, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Ofsted is signalling a more supportive, less punitive stance, but expectations around inclusion, quality, and outcomes remain high. For suppliers and EdTech providers, the new framework could create demand for tools and services that:
Help providers evidence inclusive practice and progress for all children.
Support data collection and reporting aligned to the new inspection model.
Ease administrative burden, freeing staff to focus on teaching and care.
A Step Forward
Ofsted inspections have long been a source of debate in early years. By introducing a fairer and more transparent system, Oliver aims to rebuild trust within the sector. Whether these reforms succeed will depend on how consistently they are applied and how well Ofsted balances accountability with genuine support.
However, one thing is clear: the direction of travel is towards a system that values context, celebrates excellence, and, above all, prioritises children.