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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 È«¹ú̽»¨ 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.

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

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

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: .

It can be useful to look at recent Ofsted inspections to support your understanding of the process and see how reports are structured.

It is widely acknowledged that early years recruitment has been a challenge since Covid-19. However, it is important to recognise that this is not unique to early years, and in fact has affected many different sectors. Local support is therefore available through the following schemes.

Apprenticeships are a positive way to recruit the new wave of early years practitioners into the sector. 

Both Heart of Worcester and Kidderminster college offer an early years T Level qualification, a 2 year qualification which requires 750 hours of work placement. Working with the colleges to provide placements could give you access to newly qualified staff coming into the sector.  

Worcester youth hub is based at the Hive in Worcester and is aimed at supporting those aged 15-24 by offering career support and guidance. Reaching out to organisations such as this may support your recruitment program.

Similarly, È«¹ú̽»¨ jobs is a website that you could use to advertise positions.

Check an early years qualification service

Early years managers can now use the new check an early years qualification digital service to quickly verify whether staff qualifications meet the requirements for staff to child ratios in England.

The new service can be accessed at:

This free GOV.​UK tool allows managers to check a qualification’s approval status by entering key details such as:

• course start date
• level
• awarding organisation

At the end of the process, a clear outcome is provided, which can be printed for your records.

Why use the new service?

Using the new Check an early years qualification service:

• saves time during recruitment and HR processes
• supports workforce planning ahead of the September 2025 expansion of funded childcare entitlements
• reduces confusion when checking qualifications

The service is tailored specifically for early years managers. All other user groups (for example practitioners) should continue to use the Early Years Qualifications List (EYQL) to check qualifications, and contact our supplier Ecctis if they are unable to find the qualification on the EYQL.

The check an early years qualification service is for qualifications achieved in the UK. Holders of non-UK qualifications should continue to contact our supplier Ecctis for an assessment.

If you need help using the service you can contact the Department for Education. Thank you for your continued support of the sector.

A practical guide to record keeping and the retention of records. 

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) offers support and guidance in meeting your legal requirements when handling data.

As a business, you are responsible to meet the legal requirements of employment law. Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. 

È«¹ú̽»¨ county council are dedicated to supporting local businesses develop and thrive. Business support and grants