Gregory is stepping down at the end of the year after 13 and a half years at the inspectorate.
Confirming her retirement in the November edition of the inspectorate’s early years and inspection regulation newsletter, Gregory wrote: “As I look back over the variety of roles I have had in my time here, each of them has been professionally rewarding.
“None more so than the last year as national director, early childhood. It has without doubt been an extremely busy and at times a challenging period, but one where we have made real headway in our drive to improve early years provision through better inspection and regulation.
“We can be proud of our achievements but there is still more to do.”
Gregory, who spent more than 11 years as the head teacher of two primary schools, began her career with Ofsted as a schools inspector in September 2000.
She was appointed national director for inspection delivery in 2011, before taking up the role of national director for education in April last year.
She was seconded to her current post in January.
When Gregory retires, her role will be taken over by two new national directors.
Nick Hudson, who is currently Ofsted’s regional director for the North East , Yorkshire and Humberside, will take over the management of early education, while Lorna Fitzjohn, regional director for the South West, will oversee childminding.
