The future of early years sector is always a changing landscape, but as of recently, it’s one that appears to be evolving more rapidly than before. For nursery leaders, early years professionals, and senior leadership teams (SLTs), understanding where the sector is heading, and how to align with regulatory priorities, is crucial for ensuring high-quality provision and long-term success.
As the UK’s leading trade event for the early years sector, it’s our duty and responsibility to highlight those updates and changes, by bringing key voices to the forefront of the discussion.
At last month’s Childcare & Education Expo Midlands, we were privileged to host Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector Ofsted, to deliver a free-to-join session on the latest developments and Ofsted updates 2025. From inspection updates to shifts in priorities, the session outlined several developments set to shape the landscape in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you were unable to attend or simply want to revisit the key messages, this post brings you the essential insights directly from Ofsted, so you don’t miss out on what could shape your practice in the months ahead.
The Current Landscape of Early Years Education
Early years education, and childcare, is becoming an increasingly important focus for the Government, with assurances on improvements to be made regarding the quantity and quality of provisions and nursery settings.
In a report published by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), discussing The Early Years Workforce in England 2025, some of the key findings noted:
- “The early years workforce has grown significantly in recent years, but providers still face significant staffing, recruitment and retention challenges,
- Staff retention is a significant challenge, particularly for staff in group-based providers, putting the stability of the expanding workforce at risk,
- Pay levels in the early years are much lower compared to both the general workforce and similar workers, but have risen in relative terms recently,
- Early years workers with lower qualification levels report limited opportunities for career progression,
- Levels of wellbeing among early years staff are generally high, although lower among higher qualified staff,
- A lack of research insights and high-quality data on the early years workforce may restrict effective policymaking” (Flemons, L. and Worth, J. (2025). The Early Years Workforce in England 2025. Slough: NFER.)
As such, Ofsted’s revised framework is a part of a wider discussion on the future of early years sector, particularly around how it will shape future inspections, and what SLTs can take away regarding the early years workforce overall.
Key Takeaways from Sir Martyn Oliver, and the latest Ofsted Updates 2025
Sir Martyn Oliver’s speech provided an insightful overview of the changes to education inspection, with a renewed framework and toolkit that is designed to support both early years professionals and parents in the united mission to do right by children every single day.
There was a particular focus on childcare as a unique profession, and how Ofsted will ensure that the changes made will work for all the different types of settings across early years education and care. This has been facilitated by working with key stakeholders and groups such as Childminding UK, Coram PACEY, Early Years Alliance and National Day Nurseries Association, to ensure these changes reflect the guidance for all settings.
The introduction of a new toolkit has been designed to support both parents and childcare professionals, ensuring everyone is working to the same high standards and developing strong relationships and communication as a result.
Taking a new approach to inspections, the renewed framework will now include:
- A new inspection report card that includes more detail for both professionals and parents, digging deeper into strengths and areas for improvement
- A new 5-point grading scale to better set expectations, listed as:
- Urgent improvement
- Needs attention
- Expected standard
- Strong standard
- Exceptional
- A renewed focus on inclusion, providing support to all children, no matter their background
- A new early years inspection toolkit for grading settings
- Taking steps to reduce workload, so inspection days don’t last longer than they are required to
- A new online insights platform for parents
- Clearer operating guidelines, more closely in line with the early years foundation stage statutory framework
How Leaders Can Prepare for the Future
As Ofsted’s updates for 2025 begin to shape expectations across the sector, early years leaders must take proactive steps to ensure their settings are not only compliant at an expected standard but are also working towards hitting those exceptional targets, all whilst managing ongoing concerns regarding staffing, recruitment, and funding.
Preparation starts with staying informed. Regularly reviewing updated guidance from Ofsted and engaging with sector briefings, webinars, and newsletters can help leaders stay ahead of new inspection priorities and shifts in regulatory expectations.
Additionally, reflection is another essential element of preparation. Using Ofsted’s framework, leaders can evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement in their provision. SLTs should encourage reflection among staff, whether through dedicated time in team meetings or informal observations, which can help with continuous improvement.
Final Thoughts on the Future of Early Years Sector
The future of the early years sector is always changing, but through key updates such as Ofsted’s renewed framework, early years leaders can become more prepared and ready to tackle the changes.
If you weren’t able to attend, we hope this summary has given you a glimpse into what you missed. From expert-led sessions to practical workshops and sector networking, Childcare & Education Expo Midlands 2025 offered a powerful opportunity to gain clarity on the challenges ahead and how to navigate them.
Don’t miss out next time! Join the waitlist for upcoming events in 2026, and be the first to hear about dates, speakers, and exclusive content that supports your leadership in early years education.