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

Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy
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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.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    235 - Safeguarding Changes 2026: Breaking It Down for Early Years

    Are you confident your setting could spot, record, and act on a safeguarding concern under the new 2026 guidance—without hesitation? With the updated Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 now in force, many early years leaders are unsure whether their current systems, staff knowledge, and recording practices are strong enough to meet expectations—especially when it comes to thresholds, multi-agency working, and evidencing concerns clearly. Within this episode, you will... Gain clarity on what's actually changed in the 2026 safeguarding guidance and what it means in day-to-day practice Understand the differences between early help, child in need, and child protection, so your team responds appropriately every time Learn how to strengthen your recording, professional curiosity, and safeguarding culture to stand up to scrutiny Press play now to get a clear, practical breakdown that will help you feel confident your setting is truly inspection-ready for safeguarding in 2026. Book a Show and Tell, https://calendly.com/jigsaweyc-support/show-and-tell

    18 min

  2. 27 APR

    234 - The Conversation You're Avoiding: Addressing Poor Performance in Early Years!

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="797fbcd0-818d-4689-91a9-7e07f2dd3ec5" data-testid="conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:d9766756-3493-4977-90df-cd6093ab632b-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Are you avoiding a difficult conversation in your setting and quietly hoping the problem will fix itself? If you're leading an Early Years team, you've likely noticed those small, repeated issues, lateness, incomplete tasks, or lack of engagement that slowly chip away at standards. You want a strong, consistent team, but addressing poor performance can feel uncomfortable, especially when you're already stretched. This episode speaks directly to that tension, helping you move from avoidance to confident, professional leadership. Within this episode, you will... Gain a clear, step-by-step approach to handling poor performance without feeling harsh or confrontational Understand how avoiding issues impacts your team culture, staff morale, and outcomes for children Learn how to reframe difficult conversations so they become opportunities for growth, not conflict Listen now to get the clarity and confidence you need to tackle that one conversation you've been putting off today.

    11 min

  3. 20 APR

    233 - The Difference Between A Mock Inspection And A Quality Improvement Audit

    Are you preparing for an inspection but secretly wondering if a "mock" is actually helping, or holding your team back? If you're feeling the pressure of inspections, unsure where your setting truly stands, or worried your team's confidence is dipping, this episode speaks directly to you. It explores a more supportive, realistic approach that focuses on improving quality, not replicating the stress of an inspection, so you can build a stronger, more confident team. Within this episode, you will... Gain clarity on the difference between mock inspections and quality improvement audits, and why that shift matters Discover how to empower your team so they feel confident, capable, and motivated (instead of nervous and overwhelmed) Learn practical ways to identify real areas for development with tailored, room-by-room insights Press play now to discover how a quality-focused approach can transform your setting and leave you and your team feeling confident, clear, and in control. For more information about a Quality Improvement Audit, please e-mail QIA@jigsaweyc.com

    16 min

  4. 13 APR

    232 - What Inspectors Notice in the First 30 Minutes And Why It Matters!

    What story would your setting tell an inspector in the first 30 minutes, and would it work in your favour? If you're feeling the pressure of an upcoming inspection, it's easy to get caught up in paperwork and policies, but what if that's not what really shapes the outcome? This episode speaks directly to the common worry of "Are we doing enough?" by shifting your focus to what inspectors actually notice straight away, helping you feel more prepared, confident, and in control of your everyday practice. Within this episode, you will... Gain clarity on the five key things inspectors observe immediately, so you can focus your energy where it truly matters Feel more confident in your team's ability to demonstrate strong practice naturally, without scripted answers Learn how to strengthen your setting's atmosphere, organisation, and leadership presence in ways that positively influence inspection outcomes Press play now to discover how mastering the first 30 minutes could instantly strengthen your inspection outcome. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

    9 min

  5. 7 APR

    231 - The Power of Coaching: Strong Conversations. Strong Standards

    Are your team conversations actually driving improvement, or just ticking boxes? In today's early years landscape, where expectations around leadership, reflection, and staff development are increasing, many leaders are struggling to find the time and strategies to truly support their teams. This episode explores how coaching conversations can help you pause, think more clearly, and strengthen practice—without adding more pressure to your already full workload. Within this episode, you will... Gain practical strategies to improve the quality of conversations with your team Understand how coaching can strengthen leadership, reflection, and inspection outcomes Hear real experiences and tips from practitioners already benefiting from coaching Press play now to discover simple coaching techniques you can start using tomorrow to build stronger teams and achieve better outcomes. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearstraining.com

    12 min

  6. 30 MAR

    230 - Beyond the Tick Box: The Real Purpose of Supervisions

    Are your supervisions truly improving practice… or just ticking a box? If you're juggling time pressures, staff wellbeing, and safeguarding responsibilities, it's easy for supervisions to become rushed and routine, but when they lack purpose, you risk missing key insights about your team, your culture, and ultimately the quality of care you provide. Within this episode, you will... Discover how to turn supervisions into meaningful, impactful conversations that actually improve performance Learn practical ways to personalise supervisions so they support staff wellbeing and engagement Understand how to strengthen safeguarding and accountability through more effective questioning and follow-up Press play now to uncover simple, realistic changes that can transform your supervisions from a chore into one of your most powerful leadership tools. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

    14 min

  7. 23 MAR

    229 - Inspection Reports Have Changed… But The Next Steps Haven't

    Are inspection reports in early years settings really changing, or are inspectors still looking for the same things they always have? Many early years leaders are trying to get their heads around the new inspection report format, with more narrative and multiple areas of judgement. But while the reports may look different on paper, the challenges many settings face, like inconsistent practice, an unclear curriculum, and varying staff confidence, are still appearing in feedback. This episode explores why those familiar themes keep showing up and what it means for your setting right now. Within this episode, you will... Understand the recurring themes inspectors highlight in reports and why inconsistency remains the biggest issue. Learn how staff confidence, curriculum knowledge, and daily practice connect directly to inspection outcomes. Discover why improving what you already do, rather than adding more paperwork, is the real key to stronger inspection feedback. Press play now to uncover the patterns inspectors are seeing across settings and walk away with clear insight into what really needs tightening up before the next inspection. 🎧 For more resources, please visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

    9 min

  8. 16 MAR

    228 - When The Chips Are Down: Supporting Wellbeing in Early Years

    Are you constantly pouring into your team, but secretly running on empty yourself? If you're leading in an early years setting, you'll recognise that "same thing, different day" feeling, juggling staff needs, children, paperwork, and pressure without a pause. This episode speaks directly to that overwhelm, helping you reflect on your own wellbeing while managing a busy team, so you don't reach breaking point (or snap over something small like a swept-up pile!). Within this episode, you will gain... Practical ways to protect your own well-being so you can lead more effectively Simple, realistic strategies to boost team morale and create a supportive culture Insight into recognising stress triggers—both in yourself and your staff—to prevent burnout before it builds Press play now to pick up one simple wellbeing shift you can use today to lighten your load and lead with more clarity. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

    21 min
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About

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.

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