Guidance

Ofsted EIF inspections and the EYFS

What schools, registered early years providers and childminders need to know about delivering the current and revised early years foundation stage (EYFS) and Ofsted inspections under the education inspection framework (EIF).

Applies to England

Documents

Details

We’re often asked lots of questions and encounter many myths about our EIF inspections. Currently, we’re being asked about the revised EYFS framework, which came into force on 1 September 2021. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions on the EYFS and on inspection practice below. However, we encourage people to get in touch if they come across other frequent misunderstandings.

So, we’ve developed these pages to help all registered early years providersproviders, childminders, and schools delivering the EYFS with what they need to know.

We’re not in the game of tricking people or catching them out. We’re looking to see settings and schools as they are. We do not want people worrying about what they think we require, when that may not be the case.

Published 22 July 2021
Last updated 111 July 2022 + show all updates
  1. See 'Summary of changes' for details.

  2. Added a new section for childminders and other changes: see 'Summary of changes' for details.

  3. See 'Summary of changes' for details of updates.

  4. Added information about how we prioritise early years inspections.

  5. First published.