Description
Introduction to the Early Years Ofsted Resource Pack
Welcome to the Ofsted Resource pack for the inspection area of Early Years. This comprehensive guide is designed to help schools navigate the new Ofsted inspection requirements for early years and ensure that they meet the highest standards of educational excellence. With Ofsted’s rigorous inspection criteria, it is essential to have the right tools and strategies in place to achieve success. Our resource pack provides everything you need to excel in this new educational inspection landscape starting in November 2025.
The Ofsted Resource pack for the inspection area of early years is your ultimate guide to early years excellence. With comprehensive resources, expert insights, and practical strategies, our resource pack provides everything you need to navigate the new early years requirements with confidence. By using our resource pack, you can ensure that your school is well-prepared for Ofsted inspections and that your students receive the highest quality education.
Key Contents of the Early years Ofsted Resource Pack
- Ofsted Inspection Questions and Answers – very comprehensive answers to all the questions you are likely to encounter during an inspection of the Early Years.
- Assessment and Observation – a range of templates to improve the quality of your observations and assessments. All templates come in two versions, one relevant to the current ELGs.
- Documentation required by Ofsted – all the documentation you need to get ready prior to an inspection of the Early Years.
- Early Years Planning– a range of templates to improve the quality of your planning. All templates come in two versions, one relevant to the current ELGs and one written for the new ELGs which become statutory in 2021.
- Phonics Training for Staff – a PowerPoint presentation and comprehensive notes to train every member of staff and equip them with the knowledge and skills to teach phonics well.
- Phonics Tracking – a range of phonics tracking templates to ensure thorough and rigorous assessment of phonics.
- Monitoring Templates – work sampling, planning monitoring, pupil voice and lesson observation templates specific to the EARLY YEARS.
- Early Years Leader Impact Audit – a very simple audit of your impact as Early Years leader, in terms of improving the quality of teaching and learning and your effectiveness as a leader.
- Audit – a full and comprehensive audit which can be used for action planning, SEF writing and performance management in EARLY YEARS.
- Early Years Leader Roles and Responsibilities – a job description outlining roles and responsibilities of the EARLY YEARS leader.
- Breadth Audit in Early Years – an easy to complete audit of breadth in the Early Years.
- Early Years Vision – an easy to complete template to put together an ambitious vision for Early Years which can be placed on your website to create an excellent first impression.
- Early Years Inspection Evidence Builder – A template linked to the Ofsted grade descriptors for EARLY YEARS. This template will support you to build up a bank of evidence for Ofsted inspection.
- Leuven Involvement Scales- a simple way to use the Leuven scales to diagnose children’s needs, but also as a very useful tool to evidence progress.
- CPD Record and Impact – a record sheet for all informal and formal CPD undertaken and the impact it had on teaching and learning in the Early Years.
In addition, the following resources will be included in the resource pack.
- Safeguarding
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Staff Safeguarding Training Certificates
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Contact Details and Role Description
- Local Safeguarding Partnership Guidance
- Record of Safeguarding Concerns/Referrals (anonymised)
- Safer Recruitment Policy and Vetting Procedures
- DBS Checks Register
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Online Safety Policy
- Procedures for Managing Allegations Against Staff
- Inclusion
- Equality and Diversity Policy
- SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Policy
- Inclusion Audit/Action Plan
- Individual Support Plans (ISPs) or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Examples
- Access Arrangements and Adaptations
- Cultural Celebrations and Inclusive Curriculum Samples
- Staff SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) Training Records
- Liaison Records with Outside Agencies (e.g., speech therapists, educational psychologists)
- Curriculum and Teaching
- Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement
- EARLY YEARS Curriculum Maps or Planning Grids
- Continuous Provision and Enhanced Provision Plans
- Observation, Assessment and Planning Cycle (OAP) Templates
- Learning Journey Examples
- Differentiated Activity Plans
- Phonics and Early Reading Strategy
- Outdoor Learning Curriculum
- Cultural Capital Evidence
- Achievement
- Baseline Assessment Procedures
- Progress Tracking Systems
- Summative Assessment Examples
- Cohort Data Analysis
- School Readiness/Transition Reports
- Target Setting Documents
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Teaching and Learning
- Parental Engagement in Learning Logs
- Behaviour, Attitudes and Establishing Routines
- Behaviour Management Policy
- Behaviour Logs or Incident Records
- Positive Behaviour Strategies and Visual Aids
- Daily Routine Charts and Timetables
- Key Person Approach Information
- Staff Training on Behaviour and Emotional Regulation
- Social and Emotional Learning Activities
- Settling-in Procedures and Transition Reports
- Home Visit and Induction Records
- Children’s Welfare and Well-being
- Health and Safety Policy
- Risk Assessments (Indoor, Outdoor, Trips)
- Accident and Incident Logs
- Medication Administration Records
- Nutrition Policy and Sample Menus
- Sleep and Rest Procedures
- Well-being Monitoring Tools (e.g., Leuven Scales)
- Mental Health and Well-being Resources for Staff and Children
- Parent Communication Logs
- Early years
- Self-Evaluation Form (SEF)
- Development/Improvement Plan
- Staff Roles and Responsibilities Matrix
- Supervision and Appraisal Records
- Staff Training and CPD Logs
- Minutes from Staff and Governance Meetings
- Policies Review Schedule
- Quality Assurance Reports (e.g., Peer Reviews, External Consultancy Feedback)
- Communication Channels with Parents and Stakeholders
