Ofsted inspection checklist for early years settings
Everything inspectors work through on the day — safeguarding, curriculum intent, SEND and leadership evidence — set out as 40 checks you can tick off with your team before the call ever comes.
- 40 checks grouped the way inspectors actually work through a visit
- The paperwork to have within arm's reach on the day
- Curriculum intent, implementation and impact prompts in plain English
- SEND and SENDCO evidence most settings forget
- Printable, tick-as-you-go PDF for your leadership meeting
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What inspectors look at, section by section
Before the call comes
6 checks
- • Self-evaluation summary updated within the last term
- • Setting improvement plan with named owners and dates
- • Staff qualification and DBS record complete on the single central record
- + 3 more in the PDF
Safeguarding and welfare
8 checks
- • Designated safeguarding lead and deputy named, trained and known by all staff
- • Every staff member can describe what they would do if a child disclosed today
- • Safeguarding policy reviewed in the last 12 months and references local procedures
- + 5 more in the PDF
Curriculum: intent, implementation, impact
8 checks
- • Leaders can state the curriculum intent in two sentences without notes
- • Sequencing is clear: what children learn first, next and why
- • Key person system evidenced in planning, not just on paper
- + 5 more in the PDF
SEND and inclusion
7 checks
- • SENDCO identified, with protected time and current training
- • Graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review) evidenced for each child on SEN support
- • Early identification route documented — who spots concerns and what happens next
- + 4 more in the PDF
Leadership, staff and culture
7 checks
- • Supervision meetings held regularly with recorded actions
- • Induction covers safeguarding, ratios, key person and curriculum on day one
- • Continuous professional development linked to identified gaps
- + 4 more in the PDF
On the day itself
6 checks
- • Nominated person available to walk the inspector through the setting
- • Evidence folder ready — do not hunt for documents mid-conversation
- • Staff briefed to speak about children, not policies
- + 3 more in the PDF
Read next
How to prepare for an Ofsted inspection
The four-week run-up: what to tidy, what to evidence and what to leave alone.
The first 90 minutes after the Ofsted call
A minute-by-minute plan for the notification call and the rest of that day.
Ofsted self-evaluation: a template that works
Turn your self-evaluation into the story inspectors hear from your team.
EYFS safeguarding checklist for managers
The safeguarding evidence inspectors look for first, in plain English.
Turn the checklist into a working system
Members get the editable policy suite, supervision and safeguarding templates, the compliance map that shows your evidence at a glance, and unlimited use of the planning and report tools — from £5.99 a month with a 7-day free trial.
This checklist is a practical preparation aid produced by Early Years Circle. It is not published or endorsed by Ofsted or the Department for Education — always check the current Early Years Inspection Handbook and the statutory EYFS framework for the definitive requirements.
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