Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!

Hosted by Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy

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Episodes

249

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Get Inspection Ready, the podcast created for Early Years professionals, nursery managers, preschool leaders, childcare providers, and anyone who works in the Early Years sector. Whether you're hands-on in the room or managing the whole setting, this show is here to support you. We'll help you transition from feeling unsure, overwhelmed and stressed to being confident, capable, and fully prepared for inspection day. Why tune in? Because working in Early Years is challenging enough without added pressure. Each episode is packed with golden nuggets of information designed to help your setting not just meet expectations, but exceed them. From understanding compliance to improving daily practice, we cover the topics that matter most. You'll learn how to create a rich learning environment that not only supports the children with their development, but will also wow an inspector! Imagine feeling proud, supported, and inspection-ready. With Get Inspection Ready by your side, inspection day becomes an opportunity, not something to dread. So, if you're in a nursery, preschool, or any early years setting, this podcast is your companion on the road to success. Hit play and take one step closer to Early Years excellence.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 17, 202611 min

250 - Exceptional Practice: What Are Inspectors Really Seeing?

What does "exceptional" really look like in an early years setting, and what are inspectors actually seeing when they use words like remarkable, thriving, inspirational, and exceptional ? It's easy to read an outstanding or exceptional inspection report and wonder what that setting is doing differently. But exceptional practice isn't about having magical children, unlimited budgets, or impressive activities. It's about the impact of what happens every day. This episode explores how exceptional settings create curious, confident, resilient children through meaningful learning, rich conversations, purposeful interactions, authentic projects and leadership decisions that put children's needs first. Within this episode, you will... Understand what inspectors are really looking for when they describe practice as exceptional. Discover how everyday interactions, projects and opportunities to think can create deeper learning and greater independence. Learn how leadership, inclusion, staff development and a strong culture can transform children's experiences and outcomes. Play this episode now and discover how small, everyday decisions can transform your practice and help create the kind of impact inspectors describe as exceptional. For more resources, please visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

August 10, 20269 min

249 - Are You Leading... or Just Firefighting?

Are you leading your setting, or are you spending every day firefighting? If your days are filled with solving urgent problems, constantly being interrupted, and never getting to the work that really improves quality, you're not alone. But when firefighting becomes the norm, it can stop you from leading effectively and leave your setting less prepared for inspection. This episode explores how to break that cycle and focus on the leadership behaviours that make the biggest difference. Within this episode, you will... Discover how to recognise when constant firefighting is preventing effective leadership. Learn what inspectors really notice about strong leadership beyond a busy schedule. Gain practical questions and strategies to help you create a calmer, more proactive culture in your setting. Press play now to discover how shifting from reactive management to confident leadership can strengthen your setting before your next inspection. Join our Leaders Lounge, https://jigsawearlyyearstraining.com/the-leaders-lounge/ Join our Inspection Hub, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/the-inspection-hub-membership/

August 3, 20269 min

248 - How AI Has Changed the Risks of Sharing Children's Images

Are the photos you share of children online putting them at risk in ways you haven't even considered? Most early years settings share children's photographs with the best intentions, but advances in AI and the way images can now be copied, manipulated, and misused mean it's time to rethink whether your current approach is still the safest one. This episode encourages you to reflect on your social media and website practices through a safeguarding lens. Within this episode, you will... Understand how AI has changed the risks associated with sharing children's photographs online. Learn why parental consent alone may no longer be enough when making decisions about using children's images. Discover practical ways to celebrate children's learning and promote your setting without showing identifiable faces. Press play now to gain a fresh safeguarding perspective that could help you better protect the children in your care while still showcasing the amazing work happening in your setting. For more resources, please visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

July 27, 202619 min

247 - Mastering the Art of Managing Big Feelings

Are your behaviour strategies helping children thrive, or are they unintentionally creating more confusion? Managing behaviour has become one of the biggest challenges in Early Years, with many practitioners unsure how to balance clear boundaries with a nurturing approach. In this episode, Vanessa is joined by behaviour specialist Sarah Emerson to unpack why behaviour can feel more challenging than ever, how consistent expectations build security, and why saying "no" isn't something to fear when it's done with kindness and purpose. Listeners will discover: Why clear, consistent boundaries help children feel safer and more emotionally regulated. Practical ways to teach self-regulation and behaviour skills through play rather than punishment. How to create a consistent team approach that supports every child while remaining flexible to individual needs. Press play now to discover practical, compassionate behaviour strategies that you can start using immediately to create calmer, more confident Early Years environments. Childhood Understood, https://childhoodunderstood.com/

July 20, 2026Episode 24623 min

246 - Rethinking Lunchtime: A Better Way to Support Children's Independence

Could your lunchtime routine be disrupting children's play, independence, and learning without you even realising it? Many Early Years settings stick with traditional lunchtime routines because they've always worked that way. But what if a simple change could reduce transitions, increase children's independence, keep play flowing, and create a calmer, more purposeful environment? In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Megan from Little Nest Childcare, who shares how they transformed their lunchtime routine by introducing a rolling lunch, and why they would never go back. Within this episode, you will... Learn how to introduce a rolling lunch successfully, even if your team is unsure about making the change. Discover practical strategies that help children become more independent while reducing unnecessary waiting and interruptions. Hear honest reflections, lessons learned, and simple tips that made the transition successful before inspection. Press play now to hear a real-life success story packed with practical ideas you can adapt in your own setting before your next inspection. For more resources,

July 13, 202613 min

245 - Ofsted Already Know Your Community, Do You?

Have you looked at the same community data your inspector will already know before they walk through your door? Many settings work hard to create meaningful provision for children but miss a crucial piece of the puzzle: understanding the local data that shapes children's experiences before they even arrive at your setting. This episode explores how the free Explore an Area tool can help you better understand your families, strengthen your curriculum intent, and demonstrate to inspectors that your provision is genuinely rooted in your community. By listening, you'll discover: What information inspectors can access about your community before an inspection even begins. How local data on deprivation, oral health, obesity, SEND and demographics can influence inspection conversations. Practical ways to use this information to shape your curriculum, family support and inspection discussions. Press play now and discover the free tool that could completely change how confidently you talk about your community during inspection. Find out more about your Local Area, https://explore.ofsted.gov.uk

July 6, 202614 min

244 - Why Leadership Keeps Coming Up In Every Single Report

How confident are you that you could clearly explain to an inspector how you monitor the quality of practice across your setting? Many leaders and managers know where strengths and weaknesses exist within their teams, but inspections often reveal a gap between noticing concerns and demonstrating how they are being addressed. If you're striving to strengthen leadership, improve staff practice, and confidently evidence the impact of your actions, this episode explores why leadership is becoming such a significant theme in inspection reports and what you can do about it. By listening to this episode, you will: Understand why leadership and monitoring are frequently highlighted in inspection reports. Learn the difference between noticing practice and evidencing effective leadership actions. Gain three practical steps you can implement immediately to strengthen staff development and inspection readiness. Press play now to discover simple, realistic leadership strategies that can help you build stronger practice, demonstrate impact, and feel more confident when inspection day arrives. Join the Impact Early Years platform, www.impactearlyyears.com

June 29, 202612 min

243 - CCTV in Early Years: Are We Solving the Right Problem?

Would mandatory CCTV make children safer in your setting, or could it distract from the real safeguarding priorities? With CCTV in early years settings now being discussed at a national level, many leaders are wondering what this could mean for their provision. Whether you're concerned about safeguarding, staff wellbeing, parental expectations, GDPR, or future compliance requirements, this episode explores the complex questions behind one of the sector's most talked-about debates and helps you consider what changes may be on the horizon. By listening to this episode, you will: Understand why CCTV in early years settings has become a national safeguarding discussion and what is currently being considered. Explore the key arguments both for and against mandatory CCTV, including the potential benefits and challenges for providers, practitioners, and families. Gain practical insight into what leaders should be thinking about now, including culture, policies, data protection, and safeguarding readiness. Press play now to gain a balanced understanding of the CCTV debate and ensure you're prepared for any future changes that could impact your setting.

June 22, 202610 min

242 - What's Changing in September 2026: And What It Means for You

Are you prepared for the inspection changes coming in September 2026 that could turn a welfare concern into a safeguarding issue? With updated inspection materials now published, many early years leaders are trying to understand exactly what inspectors will be looking for and how these changes could affect their setting. From safer sleep practices to safer food and weaning requirements, there are important updates that need attention now, not just when September arrives. Understanding these expectations early gives you time to review practice, train your team, and feel confident that you're fully prepared. By listening to this episode, you will: Gain a clear understanding of the key inspection changes being introduced from September 2026. Learn how safer sleep, safer food, and weaning practices will be assessed during inspections. Discover why children's welfare and wellbeing concerns can now directly impact safeguarding judgments and what this means for your setting. Play this episode today and give yourself the advantage of understanding the new expectations well before they become part of every inspection conversation. Join, www.impactearlyyears.com

June 15, 202611 min

241 - Safer Sleep Has Changed: Are You Ready Now?

Would your current sleep practices stand up to an inspection tomorrow, or are you assuming you've got until September to make changes? With safer sleep requirements becoming a major focus across the sector, many providers are still working with outdated practices or waiting for the formal EYFS update before taking action. This episode explains why waiting could leave your setting exposed and what you need to do now to stay compliant, protect children, and feel inspection-ready. After listening to this episode, you will: • Understand exactly what the updated safer sleep expectations mean in practice and why they apply now, not later. • Learn the specific changes needed for sleep environments, policies, and daily routines to reduce risk and strengthen compliance. • Feel confident about what inspectors are already looking for and how to evidence safer sleep practices effectively. Press play now to walk away with a practical safer sleep checklist you can start actioning immediately to strengthen compliance before inspectors come knocking. Join www.impactearlyyears.com