Preparing for Ofsted: Leading with Confidence and Clarity

Accompanying Episode 7 of the Atelier Podcast

When Ofsted calls, there’s always a flurry of emotions; excitement, anticipation, and yes, a little bit of healthy adrenaline. At Atelier Nursery, we believe that inspection is an opportunity to showcase the everyday excellence that happens within our settings, rather than something to fear.

In our latest podcast episode, we unpack:

• How to prepare for Ofsted without creating additional stress for your team. Preparation is not about rehearsing lines or creating displays overnight. It is about knowing your children deeply, understanding their learning journeys, and being clear about your curriculum intent, implementation, and impact.

• The inspection experience from a leadership perspective. We share stories of how inspectors observed, questioned, and engaged with our environment, children, and team, alongside the moments that reminded us why we do what we do.

• Top tips for leaders and managers, including:

• Stay calm, manifest positivity and hold your team. Create a calm, supportive atmosphere that celebrates all you are about to share.

• Ensure your documentation is accessible but not performative – your practice should speak for itself.

• Be confident in your curriculum narrative and your knowledge of every child.

• Remember, your team are the experts in their rooms. Empower them to share their knowledge confidently.

• Finally, breathe. You know your children and your provision better than anyone.

Listen to the full episode for deeper insights, honest reflections, and the mindset shifts that have helped us embrace Ofsted as part of our continuous improvement journey.