If you’re a childminder preparing for an Ofsted inspection, this is the comprehensive, practical guide you’ve been waiting for. Designed to help you feel confident, calm, and fully prepared, Your Ofsted Inspection Journey is a 91-page resource filled with insightful advice, tips, and tools that will guide you through your inspection with ease.
With years of experience as a qualified teacher and an early years practitioner, I understand the pressure of an impending inspection. That’s why I’ve created this guide: to give you the clarity and support you need to show Ofsted just how amazing your setting is.
What’s Included:
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The 91-page guide: Full of practical advice and easy-to-follow tips for helping you navigate the inspection process. It covers everything from what Ofsted is looking for to creating an environment that supports children’s development and learning.
Topics covered within the guide:
⭐️ Understanding the essentials
⭐️ You get the call - what now?
⭐️ The inspection judgements and the 3 i's
⭐️ Making sense of your curriculum
⭐️ Reading, music and drama: encouraging
⭐️ Early literacy and creative expression
⭐️ Mark making and pre-writing skills
⭐️ British values, cultural capital and inclusion
⭐️ Spotting learning styles and schemas
⭐️ Knowing your children Inclusion in practice
⭐️ Self regulation - managing emotions and behaviour
⭐️ Supporting children with SEND
⭐️ Creating an inclusive setting
⭐️ Suggested resources for inclusion
⭐️ Building strong partnerships with parents and carers
⭐️ Partnerships with other settings
⭐️ Creating a language rich environment
⭐️ The power of open ended questions
⭐️ Giving children time to answer
⭐️ Supporting learning through play
⭐️ Child led vs adult led play
⭐️ Safeguarding (huge section)
⭐️ What you must report to Ofsted and when
⭐️ Paperwork and documentation
⭐️ Attendance registers - things to consider
⭐️ C.P.D.
⭐️ Showing leadership as a solo childminder
⭐️ Working with assistants
⭐️ Creating an environment that sparks learning
⭐️ Health and safety
⭐️ Promoting being healthy and healthy eating
⭐️ Oral health
⭐️ Observation, assessment and the progress check at 2
⭐️ Evidencing learning without excessive paperwork
⭐️ The Ofsted inspection day - what to expect
⭐️ What to do during the learning walk
⭐️ What to do if your mind goes blank
⭐️ Choosing the right activity for inspection day
⭐️ Mindset and self care prep
⭐️ Post inspection - what happens next?
⭐️ Self evaluation and improvement planning
⭐️ Final words
⭐️ Helpful resources and links
⭐️ The ultimate preparing for Ofsted inspection checklist
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Bonus Printables to help you stay organised and prepared
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Curriculum Overview Template: Clarify and document your setting’s approach to the curriculum, ensuring you can explain how you support children’s learning in your unique environment.
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Document Checklist: A must-have to help you prepare relevant paperwork to show during your inspection.
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Learning Environment Snapshot Template: Reflect on how your setting supports the 7 areas of learning, showing that you’ve thoughtfully set up your space - no need for a nursery-style environment if you prefer a home setting!
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Safeguarding Audit: A checklist to ensure your safeguarding practices are up-to-date and in line with Ofsted requirements.
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Reflective Practice Journal Page: After your inspection, this page allows you to reflect on what went well, and what you can improve for future inspections.
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Why This Guide is Invaluable:
This guide is not about guaranteeing an inspection outcome - it’s about giving you the tools to prepare confidently and demonstrate the care and dedication you put into your setting every day. While there’s no substitute for the actual hard work and passion you bring to your role, this guide provides clear, practical guidance that will help you approach your inspection with confidence and clarity.
Your dedication to your children’s development is at the heart of what you do, and this guide will support you in showcasing that to Ofsted.