Ofsted Support for Early Years Settings

As a former Early Years Ofsted Inspector, I understand how inspections work and what inspectors are really looking for. I also understand how overwhelming it can feel when you are trying to balance paperwork, practice, staff wellbeing and the everyday realities of running a busy setting.

My role is not to create fear or turn your setting into a performance for inspection day. Instead, I work alongside you to strengthen practice, build confidence and help you clearly understand what is working well and where there may be opportunities to refine and develop further.
Rather than offering traditional “mock inspections”, I provide supportive quality audits and consultancy visits. In my experience, this approach is far more valuable. A mock inspection can sometimes leave staff feeling judged or anxious, whereas an audit allows space for professional discussion, reflection and meaningful improvement.

My audits are designed to look deeply at the quality of provision across your setting. I spend time observing practice, looking at the environment, exploring the curriculum, talking with staff and considering how children experience the setting day to day. The focus is on understanding the story of your setting, not simply ticking boxes.

Audits can include:

• A full quality audit linked to the Early Years
• Inspection Handbook
• Curriculum reviews and progression support
• Environment and continuous provision reviews
• Support with planning, assessment and intentional teaching
• Guidance around leadership, self evaluation and team consistency

Conversations with staff to explore understanding of the curriculum and child development

Practical ideas to strengthen communication, behaviour support, creativity, play and learning environments

Following the visit, you will receive clear feedback highlighting strengths, areas to develop and practical next steps. I explain why certain aspects of practice matter, how they link to child development and what strong practice can look like in real settings. The aim is always to leave teams feeling motivated, empowered and clearer about the direction they are taking.

Many settings tell me these visits help them feel far more confident about inspections because staff develop a deeper understanding of their own practice rather than rehearsed answers.
If your inspection did not go to plan, I also offer post inspection support. Together we can review the report, identify priorities, create realistic action plans and rebuild confidence in a supportive and constructive way.
This support is grounded in real experience across schools, nurseries and inspection work, while always staying focused on what matters most: creating environments where children feel safe, connected, engaged and able to thrive.