Ofsted Inspections

Childminder Guides > Inspections > Ofsted Inspection Preparation Pack
 

All the guides on this page are new or updated on 25th September 2025

Preparing for your Ofsted inspection

You must comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage 

EYFS Audit - to help check with your compliance

If you are registered to care for older children, you must comply with the Childcare Register:

Childcare Register Audit
 

There are 5 evaluations made at the end of an Ofsted inspection:

• Urgent improvement

• Needs attention.

• Expected standard

• Strong standard.

• Exceptional

Ofsted state that they will make a secure fit judgment and you must meet all the standards in the appropriate column.

There are 7 inspection evaluation areas:

• Safeguarding – a ‘met’ or ‘not met’ outcome.

• Inclusion – a focus area.

• Curriculum and teaching.

• Achievement.

• Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines.

• Children’s welfare and wellbeing.

• Leadership and governance.

You will find more information in the Ofsted inspection toolkit, operating guide and information document.

Guides to help you prepare for your Ofsted inspection

Ofsted Inspection From November 2025

Ofsted Pre-inspection Checklist

Top 10 tips for a successful Ofsted inspection

Ofsted Inspection Anxiety

No Children on roll during Ofsted Inspection

More Inspection Guides

Unannounced Ofsted Inspections

Dealing with Inspection Outcomes

Journey To a Positive Inspection Outcome

Ofsted Inspection And Parents

Ofsted Inspection And Teaching

You have been Suspended by Ofsted - What happens next?  

Moving House and Ofsted

Quick overview guides in preparation for your Ofsted Inspection

Acting On Concerns - a Quick Overview

Action Planning - a Quick Overview

After The Phone Call - a Quick Overview

Context And Ofsted Inspection - a Quick Overview

Curriculum And Teaching During Inspection - a Quick Overview

Graduated Approach - a Quick Overview

Health And Safety Practices - a Quick Overview

Inclusive Practice - a Quick Overview

Keeping Updated For Inspection - a Quick Overview

Know Your Safeguarding - a Quick Overview

New Inspection Areas - a Quick Overview

Ofsted Inspection Grades - a Quick Overview

Ofsted Inspection Themes - a Quick Overview

Ofsted Planning Call - a Quick Overview

Parent Engagement - a Quick Overview

Secure Fit Evaluations - a Quick Overview

Setting Up Activities For Inspection - a Quick Overview

Staff Files And Ofsted Inspection - a Quick Overview

Staff Preparation For Inspection - a Quick Overview

Childcare.co.uk Inspection Webinars

The following webinars will help support your practice:

Are you ready for Ofsted inspection from November 2025?

Are you ready for inclusion from November 2025?

Are you ready for leadership from November 2025?

Safeguarding / child protection

Safeguarding policy (statutory)

Where possible you should use your Local Authority safeguarding model policy. However, this is not always possible, so Childcare.co.uk provides you with a comprehensive safeguarding policy which you can adapt for your setting and ways of working.
 

Safeguarding guidance

Safeguarding quick reference cards

Safeguarding Q&A to help you revise your knowledge and check staff understanding

Safeguarding glossary of terms
 

Documents linked to safeguarding

You must also have a working knowledge of:

• Working together to safeguard children

• What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused

• The Prevent duty guidance

• Information sharing guidance

• Data protection legislation

You will find a list of links for useful safeguarding documents in our Childminder Guides and Childminder Paperwork sections.
 

Complaints

Complaints policy (statutory for the Childcare Register)

Complaints form - to allow you to record complaints
 

Cultural Capital

Cultural Capital
 

Record keeping forms

The following recording keeping forms are required by the EYFS:

Accident, injury and first aid form (statutory)

Medication administration form (statutory)

Incident record form including physical restraint (statutory)

Permission forms (statutory)
 

Contracts

Note contracts are usually a requirement of your insurance:

Childminder contract for each child in your setting

Contract addendum – to keep existing contracts updated
 

Paperwork

Essential paperwork checklist

Statutory paperwork to share with new parents
 

Professional development opportunities

Free early years webinars

Watch 300+ pre-recorded webinars on the Childcare.co.uk Webinar Player for gold members.

Professional development record