Inspections of early education and childcare providers will need to happen more frequently, Ofsted has been told.

In a letter to chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver, early education minister Olivia Bailey tells the watchdog that it must inspect all providers on the early years register at least every four years, replacing the current six-year period, by March 2030.

Ms Bailey also tells Ofsted that from April 2026 it must inspect new early years providers more promptly, with first inspections taking place “usually or where possible” within 18 months of registering, instead of the current 30-month timeframe.

Providers that have already been inspected under the six-year window will transition to the new timeframe at the time of their next inspection, Ms Bailey says.

She also advises that Ofsted can “inspect more frequently if they have any concerns about the provision”.

‘Greater reassurance’ for parents

Responding to the announcement, Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s national director for regulation and social care, said it is “essential” for parents to have up-to-date information on the quality of providers.

“That’s why we’re pleased that the government has funded us to move to more frequent inspections, so that we can give parents greater assurance that their child is safe and being well cared for,” she said.

Inspectors will still visit providers more frequently than the timeframes if they have concerns, Ofsted said.

The government previously committed to funding Ofsted to increase the “frequency and improve the quality” of inspections in its Best Start in Life strategy, but this is the first time the new timeframes have been confirmed.

The new requirements follow the recent appointment of Sue Robb as the Best Start in Life champion, a new role focused on improving school-readiness in England.