As the new academic year began, once again we saw changes in education dominating the headlines.  Some are instant, whilst some still very much at the planning stage. Unpicking the detail and impact across the different strands of the education sector can often be challenging. Outlined below, in this Early Years update, are the key messages and implications, as well as things we need to be aware of for the future.

Inspection:

September 2024 began with the government announcement that single headline Ofsted grades for schools would be scrapped.

The DfE have stated that;

Ofsted will no longer provide a single overall grade of effectiveness when inspecting state schools. State schools will still receive the existing sub-judgements across different areas of school life. Early Years provision in maintained schools and academies for children aged 2 and above and Maintained Nursery Schools are included in this change.

However, currently with regard to the wider Early Years community, the DfE has stated that;

The government is committed to replacing single headline grades in all the remits that Ofsted inspects in time, including the entirety of the Early Years sector. This will include considering how this impacts CMA inspections. Until this change is made, all early years settings registered on the Early Years Register, including childminders and private, voluntary and independent providers will continue to receive a single headline grade of overall effectiveness alongside the sub judgements. There will also be no change to Childminder Agency (CMA) inspections at this time. Local authorities should continue to follow the regulations and statutory guidance regarding quality in their Early Years settings.

Future Inspection Plans

A new report card being introduced from September 2025 for all schools, including maintained nursery schools.

For other early years settings and childminders, the DfE and Ofsted will work in partnership with the sector over the next year to develop alternative inspection and regulation arrangements. New arrangements will take account of the unique characteristics of the sector but will broadly reflect the report card approach that is being taken for schools.

Ofsted’s Big Listen:

The consultation has now closed and Ofsted has announced a series of planned key actions

• Reformed inspection framework for schools and early years
• Consultation on introducing a new inspection criterion for inclusion
• Streamline their registration process to support more early years education and childcare providers to register, including supporting government plans for 3,000 more nurseries on primary school sites

The full report can be accessed here: Ofsted Big Listen Response

The Ofsted Inspection Handbook for schools is currently unchanged. The Early Years Inspection Handbook was updated 9^th September. A summary of the changes can be found here.  

DfE – Curriculum Review

In July 2024 the Government announced the launch of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Led by Professor Becky Francis, this review is focused on Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 5. The DfE states that the review will;

… seek to refresh the curriculum to ensure it is cutting edge, fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people to support their future life and work.

At this time, Early Years does not feature in the review, arguably misaligned with the tremendous work schools have been doing over the last few years to create a meaningful, connected and impactful curriculum, beginning in their early years – creating one ‘journey of learning’ through the school, rather than separating early years from the rest of the school community.

More information about the review can be accessed here Curriculum and Assessment Review

Recent consultations may have closed, and headline announcements been made; but what is already evident is that there is much more discussion to be had, and we wait for more details to come on how these changes will impact on all of us in the education community. Crucially, as the opportunities arise over the coming months, we would encourage all to participate in the debate, respond to consultations, and give as loud a voice as possible for all our young children and their future.

Next Steps

We will be exploring the changes, messages and implications in greater depth this term as part of our online and face to face training events, for leaders and wider teams, including at our Inspiring Leaders Conference 2025, during our Roadshows and at our popular EYFS Senior Leaders Programme.

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