The Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is available on the Education Scotland website.
It is important to note that the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will begin to use the new framework for inspection from 22 September 2025. This will allow settings to become familiar with its content and structure. The final version of the framework will be formally launched in autumn 2025.
Read more about this in our latest joint statement, published on 24 June.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have compiled to accompany the framework. These address some of the key points raised with us so far, via stakeholders and during our recent workshops and webinars. We will keep these FAQs updated as new questions arise. We have also produced these FAQs on self-evaluation.
When is the framework being launched and where can I find it?
In January 2025, the Quality improvement framework for early learning and childcare sectors, was released to give settings an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the content before it is used for inspection.
The framework is currently under refinement and we will communicate any changes made when the final version is published.
The framework is available online and the refined version will be launched on 18 September 2025 and used in inspection from 22 September 2025. It can be accessed here.
Have recent inspections been done using the old framework or the new one?
Inspections by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate have been carried out using the previous frameworks up to and including 18 September 2025. Thereafter, all inspections will be undertaken using only the new framework.
The Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors undertook pilot visits/inspections to test the quality indicators of the new Quality improvement framework for early learning and childcare sectors. In total, 75 pilot visits/inspections took place across 28 local authorities between February and April 2025.
Piloting the new framework allowed the Care Inspectorate inspectors and HM Inspectors to test it in live settings – from exploring the use of individual quality indicators to gathering feedback.
Thank you to every setting that volunteered to be part of these pilots.
HM Inspectors will undertake a small number of pilot inspections in September and October 2025 to further refine the inspection methodology for their single inspections using the new framework.
I am a primary school headteacher with a nursery class. Will my nursery class be inspected using the Quality improvement framework for the early leaning and childcare sectors?
Yes, HM Inspectors will begin using the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors in their pilot inspections from the 22 September 2025. From October 2025 the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors will both use the Quality improvement framework in all shared inspections.
I am due to have a further inspection from HM Inspectors or a follow up inspection from Care Inspectorate. What will the focus of my inspection be based on?
The further inspection or follow up inspection will focus on the areas for improvement and or requirements from the previous inspection. These will have been noted in previous letters and/or inspection reports.
What changes are being made to inspection methodology?
Both inspectorates have reviewed shared inspection approaches to increase collaboration and reduce unnecessary duplication. One of the changes being made to help reduce pre-inspection workload is that we will not ask for a self-evaluation paper in advance of inspection.
Is the ‘digital framework’ the same as the ‘shared framework’?
Yes, when we say the framework is digital, we are referring to the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors (a shared framework) being hosted online.
The digital nature of the framework offers several advantages: it simplifies searching for individual quality indicators, provides easy access to best practice guidance and ensures you always have the most current version when accessed online.
Will there be a printable version of the framework?
There is an option to download a printable PDF copy of the quality framework directly from the framework itself.
For those who prefer a printed PDF version of the framework, it's important to be alert to framework update communications so you can keep your printed PDF version up to date.
The framework is currently under refinement and we will communicate any changes made when the final version is published. We recommend that you wait until the launch of the framework in September before you print any sections.
Is the shared framework replacing How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare?
Yes. From 22 September 2025, the Care Inspectorate a nd HM Inspectors w ill be using the new ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’ only. This framework replaces both How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, ‘childminding and school-aged childcare.
Can we start using the new framework now?
Yes, many settings have already begun to use the Quality improvement framework for early learning and childcare settings to support their self-evaluation.
Is it ok to continue to use the current framework until September?
We understand that settings will adopt the new quality improvement framework when it best suits them, and that there will be a transition period as settings move away from How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare.
From 22 September 2025, the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will be using the new ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’ only.
Not having numbered quality indicators makes referencing throughout multiple documents quite challenging/time consuming. Can we create our own coding system?
To meet user accessibility requirements, quality indicators are not numbered, and we encourage using their full titles.
We encourage you to focus on the wording of each quality indictor, for example, 'nurturing care and support'. However, if developing a coding system is helpful in your setting, you are free to do so.
We understand the framework may still feel unfamiliar, making it challenging to grasp initially. To help, we have created visual tables of the framework's headings and quality indicators. We hope these visuals support you in seeing the holistic nature of the framework and how all the different quality indictors contribute to quality practice.
Early learning and childcare
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
| Quality indicators |
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Childminding
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
| Quality indicators |
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School-aged childcare
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
| Quality indicators |
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Will we be inspected on all quality indicators? Will we be told which quality indicators are focused on prior to inspections taking place?
The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland issued a joint statement on 24 June 2025, specifying the quality indicators each inspectorate intends to inspect against. The complete statement is available here.
How many themes will be covered under each quality indicator?
All themes under each of the inspected against quality indicators will be considered.
Will reports reflect the new framework?
From22 September 2025, reports from both Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will reflect the ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’.
What willshared inspection reports look like?
Inspection reports are being updated to align with the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors. They will continue to offer a summary of inspection findings to support your continuous improvement journey.
Will the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors carry out separate inspections?
Yes, both organisations will continue to undertake their own inspections, as well as shared inspections.
Which service types will be inspected by Care Inspectorate, and which will be inspected by HM Inspectors?
Both organisations will retain their current roles and responsibilities. The Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect all early learning and childcare (ELC) settings, including childminders and school-age childcare, regardless of whether they provide funded ELC or not.
HM Inspectors will inspect settings providing funded ELC (excluding childminders).
Both organisations will use the new framework for single and shared inspections from 22 September 2025.
Why are there not weak illustrations for all QIs?
In response to stakeholder feedback, the inspectorates have developed weak illustrations for all of the quality indicators. These will be included in the framework's launch version this September.
Why is there no separate transitions QI?
Both inspectorates recognise the importance of transitions at all stages of development and learning. We are currently refining the framework, and transitions has been considered. It is a key focus as we develop the final version, which will launch on 1 September 2025.
We will provide further support and guidance on how this is exemplified in the framework in future communications and engagement sessions.
Will the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors use shared evaluation criteria?
The Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors worked together to develop shared criteria. The criteria has been refined following the pilot inspections and will be integrated into the framework for its launch in September.
While we will share an evaluation criteria, the frequency of inspections based on evaluations will continue to differ based on each inspectorate roles and responsibilities. For example, if a funded provider of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) does not achieve "good" or higher evaluations from the Care Inspectorate, the Care Inspectorate will aim to revisit the service within the following inspection year. This approach is designed to align with the Scottish Early Learning and Childcare National Standard.
Will there be support for settings with their own self-evaluation using the new framework?
The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland delivered sessions on self-evaluation using the new framework in May 2025. A recording of one of the webinars is available on our YouTube channel, and plans for further engagement around self-evaluation are being developed. Details of future sessions will be shared through the usual communications channels
Is there a Gaelic version of the new framework?
We aim to make a Gaelic version of the framework available when the framework is launched in September 2025.