Ofsted inspects preschools, and other places that look after young children.

 

They want to ensure that: “Watoto Pre-School is a safe, happy place where children Achieve, Belong and Thrive?”

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There have been some recent changes to how Ofsted carries out these inspections. Ofsted now focus more on the following areas:

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Safeguarding

This is about keeping children safe. Ofsted looks at how well we protect children from harm, how we respond to concerns, and how we make sure staff know what to do if they are worried about a child’s safety.

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Inclusion

Ofsted checks that every child is welcomed and supported. This means meeting the needs of all children, including those with additional needs, disabilities, or different backgrounds, so everyone can take part and make progress.

 

Curriculum and Teaching

This focuses on what children learn and how we teach it. Ofsted looks at whether our activities help children develop skills, knowledge, and confidence, and whether staff teach in ways that help children understand and enjoy learning.

 

Achievement

This is about how well children are developing. Ofsted looks at children’s progress in areas such as communication, physical development, social skills, and early learning. They check that children are reaching their potential from their individual starting points.

 

Behaviour, Attitudes and Routines

Ofsted considers how well children behave, how they interact with others, and how routines help them feel safe and settled. They also look at children’s attitudes to learning—such as trying new things, concentrating and showing independence.

 

Children’s Welfare and Well-Being

This covers how we support children’s happiness, health and emotional development. Ofsted checks things like healthy lifestyles, building confidence, forming friendships, and helping children feel secure and cared for.

Leadership and Governance This looks at how well the setting is run. Ofsted checks that leaders make good decisions, support staff, work with families, and make sure the setting is safe, well-organised and focused on giving children the best start.

 

Ofsted's grading system:

Ofsted inspectors use several categories to grade our preschool, giving you a clear picture of our strengths and areas for growth. These grades are:

• Exceptional: Far better than expected, excelling in all areas.

• Strong Standard: Above expectations, with clear strengths.

• Expected Standard: Meets all reasonable expectations for children’s care and learning.

• Needs Attention: Some parts below the standard and need improvement.

• Urgent Improvement: Major improvements required to ensure children’s well-being and safety.

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This approach helps you see where we shine and where we can do better, so you can make informed choices for your child. For more details, please see Lisa, our manager at Watoto.