However, the inspectorate attributed the increase to the fact that the most recent inspection cycle on which the figures are based had prioritised satisfactory providers for inspections, rather than those that were already good.
The move reflects Ofsted’s drive to focus upon improving satisfactory and inadequate nurseries in the coming year.
A spokesperson also confirmed that the new Early Years inspection framework, introduced in September, had ‘toughened up’, so that it would be harder in future for providers to achieve outstanding grades.
All inspections between 1 September and 31 December were conducted under the new framework.
Ofsted carried out 4,909 inspections of childcare provision during this period, and compared the results to those of the previous reporting period that took place between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012.
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