Ofsted will inspect your childcare setting within 30 months of registration and then approximately every 4 years if you are rated Good. Inspections are usually unannounced — the inspector arrives on the day.
The best preparation is not a last-minute effort but embedding good practice into your daily operations. This guide explains what inspectors look for and how to demonstrate quality provision.
Understanding the grading system
Ofsted uses four grades under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF):
What inspectors assess
Inspectors evaluate four key areas:
- Quality of education: Your curriculum intent (what you want children to learn), implementation (how you teach it), and impact (what children actually learn and remember)
- Behaviour and attitudes: How children behave, their engagement in learning, their attitudes to others, and how you manage behaviour positively
- Personal development: How you support children's wider development including confidence, resilience, independence, and understanding of British values
- Leadership and management: Your vision, staff development, safeguarding effectiveness, governance, and self-evaluation
Essential documentation
Have the following readily available (not hidden in a filing cabinet):
- Safeguarding policy (reviewed annually, signed by all staff)
- Single central record of staff suitability checks
- Risk assessments (premises, activities, outings)
- Fire drill records
- Accident and incident records
- Complaints log
- Staff supervision and training records
- Children's learning records and 2-year progress checks
- Ofsted registration certificate and insurance certificates (displayed)
On the day
When the inspector arrives:
- Stay calm. Continue your normal routines — inspectors want to see authentic practice, not a performance
- Be honest. If you know an area needs improvement, say so and explain what you are doing about it
- Talk confidently about your curriculum, safeguarding procedures, and how you meet individual children's needs
- Ensure all staff can explain safeguarding procedures, the Prevent duty, and who the designated safeguarding lead is
- Show impact: Demonstrate how children are progressing from their starting points