This site is delivered by Worcestershire County Council.

Ofsted

As an early years leader the key to good quality leadership is setting high standards of care. As well as having a clear, ambitious vision which promotes a strong safeguarding culture.

Birth to 5 matters remind us that the 4 principles of the EYFS thread through leadership and quality improvement, just as they apply to young children. Quality improvement and leadership – Birth To 5 Matters

In summary:

  • every setting is unique with its own strengths and challenges. A good leader recognises and celebrates this, offering tailored provision to meet the needs of their children and families
  • forming positive relationships with practitioners, families, and other agencies is key to fostering trusting and collaborative working relationships which impact children positively
  • practitioners need an enabling environment where they feel safe and a sense of belonging. They need opportunities to embed and extend their own learning
  • a good leader will empower others to reflect on practice and continue to learn and develop their thinking around early years themes ensuring we are doing our very best for children and families

The following resources have been chosen to support your leadership journey.

Ofsted

Ofsted is the regulatory body whose aim is to improve lives by raising standards in education and children’s social care. The following information relates to the role of Ofsted and how this impacts and supports early years provision.

Ofsted have published their long-term strategy which gives us an insight into their priorities for the next few years. Ofsted strategy 2022–27 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Ofsted’s regulatory role involves sharing good practice through their early years blog and YouTube channels:

Welcome to Ofsted's early years blog - Ofsted: early years

Ofsted news - YouTube

The following documents will support your understanding of inspection and how to prepare:

Early years inspection handbook for Ofsted-registered provision - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Information for parents about Ofsted's role in regulating childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Early years and childcare providers judged inadequate or not complying with requirements at inspection - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

During inspection the inspector will be gathering evidence to ensure the provider has an open and positive safeguarding culture that puts the interests of children first. Throughout the inspection they will refer to the document: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 (PDF).

It can be useful to look at recent Ofsted inspections to support your understanding of the process and see how reports are structured. Find an Ofsted inspection report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Quality improvement

This Ofsted Grade descriptor tool (Word) is designed for you to reflect on current practice across the 4 themes that will form the main part of your Early years inspection. The purpose of this audit is to start to collect evidence as to how you meet the judgements as detailed in the Early Years inspection Handbook.

  1. Quality of Education
  2. Behaviour and Attitudes
  3. Personal Development
  4. Leadership and Management

Please note in regard to the effectiveness of your Safeguarding practice please complete the separate Safeguarding Self-Assessment Audit Tool found on the Worcestershire children first Early years website page under the 'Resources' tab.

This SMART target template has been designed to sit along your normal supervision processes. Use this in addition to your settings supervision paperwork to set practitioners clear targets which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely. A great tool to ensure you are building on what your staff know and can do whilst holding them to account. SMART target template (PDF)

This simple questionnaire is a great tool to use with children, families and practitioners. It asks participants to consider what they want you to start, stop or continue doing. It is designed to capture broad feelings about practice so you can then explore at a deeper level. Start, stop, continue questionnaire template (PDF)

This great guide offers leaders practical advice on how to identify and support poor mental health in the workplace. It considers how we can start conversations about mental health and how we can use tools such as the wellness action plan to support individuals in our team. Mental health at work - a guide for small businesses (PDF)