Use this checklist to verify your childcare setting meets all key Ofsted requirements. Review at least quarterly and before any expected inspection.
Registration and legal
- Ofsted registration certificate displayed and current
- Annual registration fee paid (GBP 35 per register)
- Ofsted notified of any changes (manager, premises, contact details)
- Public liability insurance valid and certificate displayed (minimum GBP 5 million)
- Employer's liability insurance valid and certificate displayed (if employing staff)
- Registered as food business with local authority (if providing food)
Safeguarding
- Written safeguarding policy reviewed in last 12 months and signed by all staff
- Designated safeguarding lead (DSL) trained to Level 3, refreshed within last 2 years
- Deputy DSL identified and trained
- All staff completed safeguarding training (at induction and annual refresh)
- All staff completed Prevent duty training
- Mobile phone and camera policy in place and followed
- Visitor sign-in procedure enforced (visitors never left alone with children)
- LADO contact details readily available
- Whistleblowing policy in place
Staffing
- All staff have valid Enhanced DBS with children's barred list check
- Single central record up to date (DBS dates, qualifications, references, right to work)
- All staff signed disqualification declaration
- Staff-to-child ratios met at all times (under 2: 1:3, age 2: 1:4, age 3-5: 1:8)
- At least one person with valid 12-hour Paediatric First Aid on premises at all times
- At least half of staff hold Level 2+ childcare qualification
- Manager holds Level 3 with 2 years experience
- SENCO identified (group settings)
- Regular staff supervision recorded (every 6-8 weeks)
Premises and safety
- Daily premises safety check completed and recorded
- Fire risk assessment current and reviewed annually
- Fire drill conducted and recorded this term
- Fire alarm and smoke detectors tested weekly
- All fire exits clear and accessible
- Written risk assessments for premises, activities, and outings
- Space requirements met (3.5m² per under-2, 2.5m² per age 2, 2.3m² per age 3-5)
- Outdoor space accessible or daily outdoor activities planned
- Sleeping children checked every 10 minutes (if applicable)
Records and policies
- Daily attendance registers with arrival and departure times
- Accident and incident records maintained
- Medication records with parental consent
- Safeguarding concern records stored securely
- Complaints log maintained (retain 3 years)
- Written complaints procedure shared with parents
- Privacy notice issued to all parents
- ICO data protection fee paid (if required)
- Food safety records (if providing food): HACCP, temperatures, allergen information
- All required policies written and accessible to staff and parents
Learning and development
- EYFS curriculum covers all 7 areas of learning
- 2-year progress check completed for eligible children
- Ongoing observation and assessment system in place
- Individual learning plans for children with SEND
- British values promoted in age-appropriate ways