Here’s your setting’s readiness check

the things Ofsted’s new report-card inspections look at first, in one place.

Twelve quick questions — answer honestly, nothing is stored. You’ll get an instant readiness picture and two free record templates to keep.

1Do you obtain a reference for every new member of staff — including students and volunteers — before they start?

2Do you have a whistleblowing procedure that staff know how to use?

3Do you have a written attendance policy for monitoring children's attendance?

4Has every member of staff completed safeguarding training within the last two years?

5Do you have a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) who has completed the required DSL training?

6Is a paediatric-first-aid certificate holder always on the premises — including while children are eating — with certificates renewed every three years?

7Do you keep a single staff suitability record showing identity checks, vetting, references and each DBS certificate number, its date, and who obtained it?

8Do you have a DBS re-check policy, with staff enrolled on the DBS Update Service and their status checked?

9Are accidents and medication logged the same day, with parents notified the same day?

10Do you log written complaints and record the outcome within 28 days?

11Do you know which events must be notified to Ofsted, and within the 14-day limit where one applies?

12Can you evidence that you meet the staff:child ratios for each age group at all times?

NurseryGuard is an independent compliance service — it is not Ofsted, and this is guidance, not a guarantee of any inspection outcome. Tools, policies and training here support and evidence your compliance with the EYFS statutory framework; they do not replace the provider’s own legal duty for children’s safety. Your answers stay in your browser.