Ofsted 2025 Changes: A Childminder’s Guide to the New Inspection Toolkit

What Childminders Need to Know About the Ofsted 2025 Inspection Toolkit

As a childminder and small childcare setting owner, I’ll be honest, every time Ofsted announces changes to the inspection framework, my stomach does a little flip. If you’re anything like me, you’ll know the mixture of nerves and questions that follow: What’s changing this time? How will it affect me? What do I need to do to be ready?

Well, from 10 November 2025, Ofsted will be rolling out a brand-new Early Years Inspection Toolkit as part of the updated Education Inspection Framework (EIF). I’ve spent the past few weeks digging into what this means for us as childminders, and in this post I want to share, in plain English, what I’ve learned, how I’m preparing, and a few tips you might find helpful too.

Understanding the New Ofsted Report Card System

The Big Shift: Goodbye “Overall Effectiveness”, Hello Report Cards

In the past, we’ve all dreaded the moment when our whole setting was summed up in one single judgement like Good or Requires Improvement. From November 2025, that’s changing.

Instead of one overall grade, Ofsted will now use a report card system. We’ll be assessed across several evaluation areas, each graded on a 5-point scale:

• Exceptional

• Strong standard

• Expected standard (this is the baseline)

• Needs attention

• Urgent improvement

  
  

For me, this feels a little fairer. It means if I’m really strong in some areas but need to develop in others, parents (and Ofsted) will see the full picture rather than just one headline grade.

The New Evaluation Areas Childminders Need to Know

Here’s what inspectors will now look at under the 2025 framework:

1. Safeguarding (this will simply be judged as met or not met — no half measures)

2. Inclusion (a new, separate focus)

3. Curriculum and teaching

4. Achievement

5. Behaviour, attitudes and routines

6. Children’s welfare and well-being

7. Leadership and governance

   
   

As a childminder, I know “leadership and governance” can sound scary when you’re working mostly on your own. But this area also looks at how we manage our own wellbeing and workload, something I’ve often overlooked until I was running on empty!

Inclusion and Safeguarding: Key Focus Areas for Childminders

Why Inclusion Is a Game-Changer

The area I think will make the biggest impact is Inclusion. For me, inclusion isn’t just about making adjustments for children with SEND, it’s about creating an environment where every child feels they belong, whatever their background.

I’ve started reflecting on questions like:

• Do I adapt activities so all children can join in?

• How do I work with parents to support children who might need extra help?

• Am I confident in signposting families to outside support when needed?

These are the kinds of things inspectors will now want to see in action.

How Often Will Childminders Be Inspected Under the New EIF?

Shorter Inspection Cycles

Another big change is inspection frequency. If we meet the expected standard across the board, we’ll be inspected every four years (previously six).

But here’s the catch: if Ofsted finds an area that needs attention, they’ll be back within 12 months. And if it’s urgent improvement, it could be just six months.

For me, this really highlights the importance of tackling small issues before they snowball. I’d much rather make gradual improvements now than face the pressure of a re-inspection in half a year!

Practical Tips for Preparing Your Setting for Ofsted 2025

What About Evidence and Paperwork?

Good news: Ofsted is moving away from expecting mountains of extra paperwork created just for inspection. Instead, inspectors will base their judgement on what they actually see day-to-day, plus conversations with us and any assistants we employ.

That said, the documents we do keep, safeguarding policies, risk assessments, accident logs, parent communication records, need to be up-to-date and easy to access.

My plan? I’ve created a simple “inspection folder” (digital and paper) where I keep all the essentials in one place. That way I’m not panicking the night before an inspection, searching my inbox for last year’s safeguarding update.

My Action Plan as a Childminder

Here’s how I’m preparing for the 2025 Ofsted changes, feel free to borrow these ideas:

1. Safeguarding audit – I’m double-checking my policies, training, and that I know exactly what to do if a concern arises. Safeguarding being met/not met means there’s zero room for error.

2. Self-grading report card – I’ve created my own version of the new report card and scored myself honestly in each area. It’s eye-opening to see where I’m strong and where I need work.

3. Inclusion focus – I’m building more inclusive practice into my planning. For example, offering different ways to engage in an activity (not just sitting and writing, but role-play, drawing, or movement).

4. Wellbeing check-in – This one’s personal. I’ve started treating my own wellbeing as part of my “leadership” responsibility. If I burn out, my setting suffers, and Ofsted will notice.

5. Parent communication – I’ve been more intentional about showing parents how I involve them, not just telling them. Sharing photos, progress notes, and asking for feedback shows Ofsted that I’m working in partnership.

What This Means for Us as Childminders

Honestly? At first glance, the November 2025 changes felt overwhelming. But the more I’ve looked into them, the more I think they actually reflect what we already do every day. We keep children safe. We support their learning. We adapt for different needs. We build strong relationships with families.

The difference now is that Ofsted will be looking at those things through a slightly different lens, and breaking them down into more detail.

Final Thoughts: Thriving Under the Updated Ofsted Framework

I won’t pretend I’m excited about inspection day, I don’t think any of us are! But I do feel more confident knowing what’s coming in November 2025.

My advice? Don’t wait until the week before to think about these changes. Start small now: review your safeguarding, try out your own self-grading, and talk to other childminders about how they’re preparing.

Remember, the new Ofsted toolkit isn’t designed to catch us out, it’s there to give a clearer picture of the quality we provide. And if we use it as a guide to improve our practice, we might even find it helps us become better practitioners for the children and families we serve.