IFF Research, an independent social research agency published an interim report evaluating Ofsted’s renewed education inspection framework. The report includes survey responses from 699 education providers, including 384 early years respondents.  

Main findings  

Early years settings reported more positive inspection experiences compared to schools: 

• More collaborative and respectful inspections: 72% of early years respondents felt inspectors worked collaboratively to identify development priorities (compared to 69% school respondents) 
• Greater recognition of individual settings’ contexts: 79% of early years providers felt inspectors understood and took account of their setting’s context (compared to 65% school respondents) 
• Inspectors were considerate of stress and wellbeing: 72% said inspectors took action to minimise stress and anxiety during inspection (compared to 62% schools) 
• Report cards gave an accurate account of provision: 77% said their report card accurately described provision for children and their experiences (compared to 69% schools) 

The report highlights that concerns remain around inspection-related stress, workload and the clarity of feedback about how to improve and achieve higher grades.  

Next steps 

This report is based on inspections from January 2026 onwards that had been published by the end of May 2026. The IFF will publish a full report in 2027, capturing the experiences of those inspected across the first full year of inspections under the renewed framework.   

Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges, Head of Coram PACEY comments: 

“The findings of this new report reflect what we are hearing from Ofsted-registered childminders, with encouraging feedback that inspections under the new framework feel like a more collaborative and respectful process. 

An inspector’s approach and conduct can make a real difference to the inspection experience, particularly for sole practitioners, for whom inspection judgements and gradings can feel especially personal. Recognising the context and individual circumstances of settings is therefore particularly important for childminders. 

These positive findings do not mean that all concerns have been resolved, or that every childminder is experiencing an improved inspection experience. We remain very concerned by reports of childminders being told they cannot achieve certain gradings because of the home-based nature or size of their setting. We are closely monitoring childminders’ inspection experiences to escalate these types of concerns and inconsistencies directly to Ofsted, to ensure the framework is applied fairly, consistently and proportionately across different types of provision.”

Childminders: Share your inspection experience 

Coram PACEY is collecting our own feedback from childminders in England who have been inspected by Ofsted under the new inspection framework. This will help us work with Ofsted to monitor childminders’ inspection experiences, improve support for childminders around inspections and ensure the system is fair and consistent. Please only complete this survey if you have had an inspection since the new framework took effect (10 November 2025).

Coram PACEY’s inspection resources 

We are working closely with Ofsted and our childminding community to support childminders with the renewed inspection framework in England. You can find more information and guidance on our Ofsted inspection resource page including: 

• A breakdown of Ofsted’s evaluation areas and gradings  
• Simple explainer videos 
• A recording of our webinar with Ofsted  
• Frequently asked questions for childminders 
• And much more! 

Coram PACEY member-exclusive support 

Coram PACEY has a launched a range of in-depth inspection support to help ease worries, build confidence and put you on your best footing for your inspection. 

• Members can now use our exclusive out of hours advisory service to prepare for inspection and to de-brief post inspection.  
• We have digestible bite-sized training courses designed to help, not overwhelm.  
• Deep dive resources including practice guides, self- evaluation materials and a library of information pages. 
• Last week we posted a brand-new series of member-exclusive videos with leadership experts at Early Years Fundamentals to help childminders with inspections. Our first set of five videos set the scene for the renewed Ofsted framework, with more to come very soon.    

TOMORROW: Join our Ofsted webinar 

Join our upcoming webinar Navigating Ofsted inspections: Lessons for childminders (Coram PACEY members only) on Wednesday 14 October 2026, 7.00 – 8.00 PM. Leadership specialist Pennie Akehurst explores how evidence-informed insights into Ofsted inspections can help you as a childminder make sense of what’s happening across the sector and what it means for your setting. Join us to gain practical insights and learn how you can make inspections work for you.