It is important to note that Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will begin to use the new framework for inspection from 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.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have compiled with help from stakeholders to accompany the framework. These address the key points raised with us so far. We will keep these FAQs updated as new questions arise.

Where can I access the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors?

The Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is available on the Education Scotland website. PDF versions of the new framework will be available in due course.

Will it be clear which quality indicators Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will focus on?

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland have worked together to minimise the burden on settings by reducing the number of quality indicators (QIs) from 28 in the current frameworks to 11 in the new framework.

Both inspectorates have made it clear within the framework which QIs relate to the Care Inspectorate and which relate to Education Scotland. Each organisation will determine how these QIs will be used during their inspections and on shared inspections.

Why are there not weak illustrations for all QIs?

In response to stakeholder feedback, the inspectorates are developing weak illustrations for all QIs and these will be included in the next version of the framework.

Why is there no separate transitions QI?

Both inspectorates recognise the importance of transitions at all stages of development and learning.

Planning, managing and supporting children’s transitions is key to all areas of the framework and should therefore be considered in each QI rather than separately in isolation.

We will provide further support on how this is exemplified in the framework in future engagement sessions with practitioners to support reflection on transitions as part of self-evaluation and during future approaches to inspection.

Can the QIs be numbered for ease of reference?

Our focus is on the quality of children’s experiences across all areas of the framework. In order to meet user accessibility requirements, QIs have not been numbered and we would encourage the use of their full titles. For ease of reference, services should focus on the wording of the QI, for example ‘play and learning.

Will the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland use shared grading criteria?

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland worked together to develop shared grading criteria.

This will be considered during the pilot phase and further discussion will take place between the two bodies regarding a consistent approach to the evaluation of adequate/satisfactory.

The Care Inspectorate will retain the term ‘adequate’ for the time being, in order to align with the National Standard, and Education Scotland will retain the term ‘satisfactory.’

Will the framework be tested and is there an opportunity to provide feedback to inform any further refinement?

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will test content of the framework in a number of settings during the next pilot phase of the project. This piloting will be undertaken both separately and jointly.

During the pilot phase, both the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will ask for feedback from settings about the QIs to inform any further refinements needed.

What are the arrangements for settings involved in the pilot phase?

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland invited settings to volunteer to be part of the pilot phase to test the new framework. We had a great response with more than 200 settings offering to participate.

We will reflect on the best way to involve as many settings as possible while also ensuring a balanced sample of visits. We will notify those settings that have been selected to participate in advance. Participants will be provided with guidance and information to support them during the pilot so that they know what to expect.

What is the timeframe for full implementation the framework?

The Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors was released online on January 14, 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.

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will begin to use the new framework for inspection from September 2025. Our inspections will continue to focus on the experiences and outcomes for children and young people.

What happens to 'How good is our early learning and childcare' and 'A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare?'

The current frameworks will continue to be used for inspections until implementation of the new framework.

From September 2025, the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will begin inspections using the new the '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.

When do we need to start using the new framework?

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 using the existing frameworks.

You may want to continue to use the existing framework until you are ready to adopt the new framework fully.

Both inspectorates will engage with settings to support them to become familiar and confident in using the new framework for self-evaluation.

Will there be support for settings with their own self-evaluation using the new framework?

The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will deliver sessions on self-evaluation using the new framework from spring 2025. We will provide further detail of these sessions in due course.

Will there still be separate inspections? If yes, will they have their own frameworks?

Both inspection bodies will use the new framework for separate and shared inspections from September 2025. There will be no other frameworks used for inspection from that point on.

The QIs that each inspectorate body may use in the final inspection methodology will be confirmed when the new approach to inspections has been developed and agreed. In the framework, we have made it clear which QIs relate to the Care Inspectorate and which relate to Education Scotland.

How will childminders who offer funded ELC be inspected?

Both inspectorates have agreed that the childminding-specific content in the new framework is appropriate for the requirements of the National Standard and that the Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect childminders (including those delivering funded places).

Childminders do not need to self-evaluate using any other QIs from the framework. Education Scotland do not have any plans to inspect childminders.

Is there a Gaelic version of the new framework?

The new framework for the early learning and childcare sectors will continue to be developed and refined as we move through the pilot phase. We will ensure a Gaelic version of the framework is available when the framework is launched in Autumn 2025.