Had the call from Ofsted? Here's 4 things you should do now!

If you have received a call from Ofsted informing you that they will be visiting your nursery tomorrow, it's important to act quickly to ensure that you are prepared for the inspection. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for an Ofsted inspection with short notice:

1.Know your framework

This is something that should always be at the forefront of your mind, but one thing you must consider is to review the Ofsted framework and guidance to understand what the inspector will be looking for during the inspection and to ensure your nursery is compliant with all relevant regulations and standards.

2.Documentation

Have all relevant documentation, such as policies and procedures, records of staff training and qualifications, and records of children's progress, readily available for the inspector to review.

In accordance with the Early Years Inspection framework, the documents an inspector MUST access include:

• paediatric first-aid certificates

• the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) records and any other documents summarising the checks on, and the vetting and employment arrangements of, all staff working at the setting

Other documents an inspector may want to see include:

• a list of current staff and their qualifications

• a register/list showing the date of birth of all children on roll and routine staffing arrangements

• a list of children present at the setting during the inspection (if not shown on the register)

• all logs that record accidents, exclusions, children taken off roll and incidents of poor behaviour

• all logs of incidents of discrimination, including racist incidents

• complaints log and/or evidence of any complaints and their resolutions

• safeguarding and child protection policies

• fire-safety arrangements and other statutory policies relating to health and safety

• a list of any referrals made to the local authority designated person for safeguarding, with brief details of the resolutions

• details of all children who are an open case to social care/children’s services and for whom there is a multi-agency plan

3. Utilise your staff

Involve your staff in the preparation process and make sure they are aware of the Ofsted framework and their roles and responsibilities during the inspection.

It's important to remember that even with short notice, you can still take steps to prepare for the inspection and to provide evidence of compliance with the regulations and standards set out by Ofsted. By being proactive and working with your staff to ensure that you are ready for the inspection, you can help to ensure that your nursery is providing high-quality care and education for the children in your care.

4. Research your inspector

You should have been given your Ofsted Inspector name and it is vitally important to research your Ofsted inspector before they visit your setting. Doing this help you to prepare for the inspection and to provide evidence of compliance with the regulations and standards set out by Ofsted. 

By understanding the inspector's inspection style and areas of focus, you can take steps to address any areas of concern from previous inspections and to be ready to provide evidence of compliance in the areas that the inspector typically focuses on. Researching the inspector can also help you to identify any potential concerns or issues that you may need to address in order to ensure a successful inspection.

Don't leave your inspection to chance: Find your inspector today