Sector needs clarity on ‘exceptional’ grading in New Ofsted report cards
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) is calling for clarity and fairness in how Ofsted applies its new inspection framework in early years settings. Our latest analysis shows a stark divide in ‘exceptional’ grades awarded under the new Ofsted report card system.
Despite hundreds of providers being inspected this year, almost no private, voluntary or independent (PVI) nurseries have received any ‘exceptional’ judgements, while schools are ten times more likely to receive the grading.
NDNA analysed 454 nursery report cards published between January and late February 2026, we found that:
• Out of 341 PVI nurseries, only one (0.3%) received any ‘exceptional’ grading
• Out of 111 schools with nursery provision, four (3.6%) achieved exceptional judgements
• Most nurseries were judged as receiving a mixture of ‘strong’ or ‘expected’ gradings on the new report cards
These inconsistencies raise serious questions on how the new framework is being applied in PVI settings compared to schools.
The last time that it was possible to compare single-word gradings between schools and non-domestic childcare providers’ gradings was August 2024. At this point in time 90% of schools were graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted while 98% of other providers, including PVI nurseries, received those gradings.
Inspectors telling nurseries “You won’t get exceptional” before inspections
NDNA’s survey of settings’ experiences under the new framework revealed reports of inspectors managing expectations in the planning call before the inspection starts.
Two nurseries told NDNA:
“[The] Inspector told us several times they don’t know what ‘Exceptional’ looks like and made it clear we wouldn’t meet that grade before the inspection began.”
Another reported, “We were told on the planning call that exceptional was unachievable. Even after we met every descriptor, the inspector was advised by senior colleagues not to award exceptional.”
These experiences raise questions about whether non-school based nurseries are being pre‑judged, preventing them from being recognised for genuinely ‘exceptional’ practice.
Most nurseries report positive, collaborative inspections
From NDNA’s first nine case study survey responses:
• 7 out of 9 nurseries described the planning call as very or mostly positive
• 7 out of 9 found the on the day inspection collaborative and supportive
• Most received a mixture of ‘expected’ and ‘strong’ judgements
• None received ‘exceptional’.
Tim McLachan, Chief Executive of NDNA said:
“We have genuine concerns that there appears to be a disparity between the grades private and voluntary nurseries are getting compared with schools. If the system is not weighted toward schools we would expect to the same proportion of these gradings awarded across the board.
“The lack of exceptional judgements, coupled with inspectors telling providers they cannot achieve them, damages trust and confidence. We want to see a fair and equitable approach, especially when a downgrade means nurseries could face the threat of losing vital funding, while schools may receive additional support.
“This highlights the unfair difference between the Ofsted inspector in early years having a specific background in this sector, compared to those in schools who do not always have the same knowledge. It also highlights the unfair difference that a nursery setting in a school receives far less time and scrutiny than a PVI nursery does.
“Fundamentally, every child deserves that their setting is held to the same standards and that school settings are inspected in the same way.
“Nurseries deserve a fair, transparent inspection system that recognises excellence and supports improvement. We will continue to engage directly with Ofsted and the government to represent the concerns we are hearing from the sector and to ensure a level playing field.”
NDNA is urging Ofsted to ensure that inspectors do not pre‑judge settings and publish clear, specific and replicable examples of what ‘exceptional’ practice looks like, so others can learn from these examples.
- England
- Department for Education
- early education
- early years
- Early Years Inspection Framework
- England
- Inspection
- NDNA
- nurseries
- Ofsted
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