The framework that will begin to be used from September 2025 has now been published. Please find provider update from Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland below.

The framework can be accessed here: https://education.gov.scot/inspection-and-review/inspection-frameworks/quality-improvement-framework-for-early-learning-and-childcare-sectors/

The FAQs can be found here: https://education.gov.scot/inspection-and-review/inspection-frameworks/quality-improvement-framework-for-early-learning-and-childcare-sectors/frequently-asked-questions-relating-to-quality-improvement-framework-for-the-early-learning-and-childcare-sectors/

Joint statement from the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland on our progress towards the delivery of the new Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors

We are delighted to announce that the new Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is now available on the Education Scotland website.

We have collated the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have received about the new framework. These are available on the Care Inspectorate website and on the Education Scotland website. We hope that you find these helpful. We will continue to listen to feedback and may make further adjustments to the framework and to the FAQs ahead of full implementation from September 2025.

Opportunities to get involved

Following our successful engagement sessions in November 2024, attended by more than 2,600 practitioners, we will be hosting more of these in the coming months. We hope that providers will welcome these opportunities to engage with inspectors to become familiar with the new framework and support self-evaluation.

You may wish to begin to use the new quality framework to support self-evaluation in your setting now, however you may prefer to continue to use existing frameworks until you are more familiar with the content.

We will continue to provide regular updates on the framework on social media and through our provider updates.

Developing new approaches to inspections using the framework

We have already begun to engage and listen to the views of stakeholders about the development of new approaches to inspection using the framework.

As part of this engagement, we will pilot the use of the new framework and its quality indicators in some settings from February to March 2025. We will work closely with our stakeholders during this pilot phase and listen carefully to your views as we develop approaches to inspection.

We will continue to use our existing frameworks and approaches for inspection while the new approaches are developed, ahead of implementation in September 2025. The 18-month gap between Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate inspections will also remain in place.

Thank you for your continued dedication to providing the best possible learning environments for children and for your support for the development of the new framework so far. We very much value your continued engagement with us as we continue this important work.

Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive, Care Inspectorate

Janie McManus, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education