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

118 - Welcome to 2024

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we have the whole JigsawEYC team together for a welcome-back podcast, where we discuss what everyone has been working towards over 2023 and what...

117 - Round up with JigsawEYC Operations Manager

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the last podcast of 2023, where has the time gone? Today I am joined by our amazing Operations Manager, Lucy Brewer, as we take a step back an...

116 - Changes to Level 3

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the proposed changes to the statutory framework coming into effect next month, we wanted to take the time to discuss the changes to the Level 3 E...

115 - Creating an Effective Early Years Curriculum That is Bespoke to Your Nursery or Preschool!

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does your early years curriculum measure up to the latest inspection standards? If you're grappling with creating an effective curriculum that mee...

114 - The Meaning of Quality in Early Years Settings

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do you truly define 'quality' in early years settings, and what does it take to achieve consistent excellence? In this episode, we delve into the ...

113 - Why EAL (English as an Additional Language) is Critical for Early Years Practitioners to Get Right In Their Preschool or Nursery!

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how to effectively engage children who speak English as an additional language in early years settings? In today's diverse clas...

112 - The World of Safeguarding with Lorna Wigley

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am joined by Lorna Wigley from Childbase as we discuss the importance of Safeguarding and look at apprenticeships. Remember that we need to f...

111 - Changes to EYFS Requirements

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to another episode of "Are You Ready For Your Inspection?" where we unravel the latest advancements in early childhood education. In this epis...

110 - Building Stronger Parent Partnerships: Why Weak Engagement Is Holding Back Your Early Years Setting

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to build strong, meaningful partnerships with parents in your early years setting? Effective parent partnerships are key to creatin...

109 - Demystifying Ofsted Inspections: How to Meet and Exceed Expectations!

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does the thought of your upcoming Ofsted inspection make you anxious? If inspection day leaves you stressed, you're definitely not the only one. In th...

108 - Safeguarding in Early Years: Essential Tips for Preschools and Nurseries

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you confident that your nursery and preschool are truly safeguarding the children in your care? In our latest episode of "Are You Ready For Your I...

107 - The Main Purpose of Training in our Sector

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week I wanted to talk about something that is very important and that is the main purpose of training in our sector and how it will impact the li...

106 - The One Mindset Shift That Can Make or Break Your Nursery Leadership

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how to successfully manage multiple nurseries without losing your sanity? Whether you're considering expanding or already manag...

105 - The Hidden Power of Reflection: How Early Years Leaders Improve Their Provision

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How confident are you in your setting's self-evaluation process? Are you sure you're meeting Ofsted's expectations without wasting time on unnecessary...

104 - The Importance of Effective Baby Training in Your Preschool/Nursery and How It Effects Development in A Child's Early Years

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you aware that the quality of baby training in early years settings could significantly impact a child's development for years? If you're involved...

103 - The Myths about Ofsted in Early Years!

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you still believing common myths about Ofsted inspections that could be holding you back? Many professionals are trapped by misconceptions about h...

102 - Do Your Supervisions Lack Impact? Here's How To Fix It Now!

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do your staff supervisions truly drive improvement, or are they just ticking a box? If you're struggling to make supervisions more meaningful and impa...

101 - How Quality Improvement Audits can Enhance Your Practice and Add Impact

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I wanted to take the time to tell you about our Quality Improvement Audits (QIA for short), why we do them and the impact that they can have on ...

100 - Who We Are

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is our 100th Episode! 🥳 For today, I wanted to do a whole team podcast where we introduce ourselves and discuss our roles within JigsawEYC. Beli...

099 - How To Overcome The Anxiety of an Ofsted Inspection in your Early Years Preschool or Nursery!

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of your next Ofsted inspection? Many early years practitioners, managers, and owners experience significant...

098 - How to Build a Language-Rich Environment for EAL Children in Your Nursery or Preschool

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How confident are you that your setting truly supports children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)? Ofsted inspectors are looking closely at...

097 - Can Moving Beyond Circle Time Boost Children's Engagement and Confidence?

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered if circle time might actually be hindering the learning and engagement of young children? Many early years practitioners rely ...

096 - How A Simple Induction Plan Changes Agency Staff in Early Years

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you confident your agency staff are truly ready to support your setting's unique needs? If you've ever worried about agency staff not fully unders...

095 - Why Sticking to "The Way We've Always Done It" Is Holding Back Your Early Years Setting

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "We've always done it this way"? What if that mindset is holding your setting back? In this episode, we dive int...

094 - Whats The Difference Between a Mock Inspection and a Quality Improvement Audit

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I wanted to take the time to tell you all about our amazing Quality Improvement Audits (QIA) and why we don't call them Mock Inspecti...

093 - The World of Early Years Qualifications with Sophie Hayter - Part 3

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the final part of The World of Early Years Qualifications with the fantastic Sophie Hayter! This week we are switching our focus to oversea...

092 - The World of Early Years Qualifications with Sophie Hayter - Part 2

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to part 2 of The World of Early Years Qualifications with Sophie Hayter! This time we focus on a different aspect of qualifications with a foc...

091 - The World of Early Years Qualifications with Sophie Hayter - Part 1

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I have another special guest! The fantastic Sophie Hayter as she tells us all about the world of Early Years qualifications and how to tell if a...

090 - How A Positive Mindset Can Help You Excel In Your Early Years Ofsted Inspection!

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you dreading your next Ofsted inspection and wondering how to turn it into a positive experience? In this episode, we delve into the real-life sto...

089 - Interview with Blackmoor Park Day Nursery - Part 2

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am back with Stephen from Blackmoor Park as we continue with what we talked about last week and this time focus on their most recent inspectio...

088 - Interview with Blackmoor Park Day Nursery Part 1

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am joined by the lovely Stephen Ross as we discuss his recent experiences with an inspection and talk about his setting as a whole, the journe...

087 - Revisiting The Learning Walk

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I want to revisit the learning walk as it is a key part of an inspection and it is the time for your setting to shine and show your inspector wh...

086- Why Safe Sleep Practices Are Essential for An Early Years Setting!

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you confident that your safer sleep practices meet the highest standards—and that your team knows exactly what to do? In Early Years settings, ...

085 - Emotional Literacy

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Emotional Literacy is a hot topic in Early Years at the moment, and it is a term that I hear being thrown around a lot. So I want to ensure that every...

084 - How We Can Help Big Feelings in Our Early Years

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder why children flip their lids when you least expect it?  In this episode, we dive into why kids' "big feelings" often lead to behaviou...

083 - Signs You're Missing Reflection in Your CPD Approach & How To Improve Team Impact

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are your staff meetings inspiring real change, or just ticking a CPD box? If you're struggling to get your team truly engaged in their professional de...

082 - Staff Induction

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this week I want to focus on the induction process, this is your time to ensure that your newest team member is aware of how your setting operates...

081 - Safer Recruitment

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Safer Recruitment is a key part of safeguarding within Early Years and we know it is hard to get practitioners into our settings, but it is still vita...

080 - Resilient Early Years: Thriving in Preschool and Nursery Inspections

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready to face Ofsted inspections with confidence and resilience, even amid challenging times? Our latest podcast episode dives into the core c...

078 - Embracing Smooth Transitions in Early Years!

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you find transition times in your nursery to be stressful for both children and staff? If managing the chaos of moving kids from outdoor ...

077 The Jigsaw Early Years Academy is being born!

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I want to talk to you all about something exciting... Our Jigsaw Early Years Academy! We have been thinking about doing this for a while now, b...

076 Revisiting Notification Calls

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we will revisit the notification call. I cannot stress the importance of this enough; this is your time to shine and show Ofsted that...

075 - The Art of Interaction in Early Years, Top Tips For Your Preschool or Nursery!

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are your interactions with young children fostering the best learning experiences possible? In today's fast-paced world, ensuring high-quality interac...

074 Why Baby Training is Paramount

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know at least half of your team within the baby room need to have received training in working with children under 2? For today, I want to tal...

073 - Fresh Eyes, New Insights: The Power of Audits in Early Years Settings

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered if a fresh pair of eyes could drastically improve the way your nursery or educational setting operates? In this episode, we exp...

072 A Chat with Glenn Denny

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am joined by the lovely Glenn Denny as we discuss the world of Early Years and the joys and challenges that come with it! In this episode, you...

071 What Should be in the Staff File

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 71 - What should be in a Staff File. Today I am joined by the lovely Hannah, as we discuss your Staff file and everything that you need to ha...

070 The IMPACT of Observations

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 070 - The IMPACT of Observations. Today I am joined by Hannah again as we discuss what we have been seeing when out on inspections. This week...

069 - How One Simple Checklist Can Help You Ace Your Next Early Years Inspection

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for your next inspection, or could a surprise visit catch you off guard? In this episode, we'll guide you through the crucial steps for ...

068 - Does Your Team Lack Motivation? Why It Might Be Costing You Inspection Success

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you struggling to inspire your staff amidst the pressures of compliance, inspections, and a recruitment crisis? This episode reveals practical st...

067 Qualifications and Ratios

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we will be joined by the lovely Hannah Barter as we discuss ratios and how they differ depending on the children's ages and the staff's qualific...

066 - How Icelandic Preschools and Nurseries Differ from Ours!

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how differently children play and learn in Iceland compared to your home country? This episode dives into the unique insights f...

065 The Importance of Reflection

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I want to talk to you all about the importance of reflection and how we can use this to benefit the setting, the children, and the staff. It is ...

064 The Importance of Staff Meetings

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Team meetings are the greatest way for you and your team to touch base and discuss the plans for the setting over the next few months. Remember, all o...

063 Your Curriculum

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your curriculum is a huge part of your setting and can be one of the main things that help you to stand out amongst the crowd. But what is a curriculu...

062 - Risk Assessments in Early Years: Turning Checklists into Safeguarding Success

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever stopped to consider the true importance of those daily checklists and risk assessments in your setting? In this insightful episode of Ar...

061 - Face-to-Face vs. Online: Which Safeguarding Training Is Best For Early Years Settings?

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are your safeguarding practices truly up to standard, or could they be leaving your team vulnerable? In today's episode, Vanessa tackles a major chall...

060 Are Inspectors in the Area

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I wanted to go through some more of the questions I get asked regularly; if inspectors are in the area, does that mean our inspection is soon? T...

059 Questions about Complaints

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I wanted to start going through all the questions I receive daily, starting with all the questions I receive about complaints. In this episode, ...

058 The Parents Notice Board

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I want to talk about how we share information with parents. I know a lot of settings are still not letting parents into the setting, so we need ...

057 Tracking

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tracking is one of the best and most effective ways of keeping tabs on how children are developing and what they need to be developing. With Ofsted pu...

056 Preparing for the Call

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For today, I want to talk all about preparing for that call. This is something I would like to revisit; this is the first impression that you will giv...

055 Purpose of Intention

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have been doing so many QIA's over August and for this month, I would like to share with you our findings to help you prepare for the new term that...

054 Dealing with Complaints

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Complaints can often be disheartening and you may not always want to deal with them. However, it is important that you respond to complaints and do so...

053 Achieving Amazing Results

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's podcast is all about using the 6 impacts to achieve amazing results; it is so important that you wow your inspector on the day and using the 6...

052 Staff Meetings

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this week's episode, I wanted to talk about team meetings and how we can ensure that these add IMPACT into our setting. Team meetings can be one o...

051 Changes to Ratios

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am joined again by my lovely Mastermind group as we discuss the recent news around ratios and what everyone's views are on this subject. These...

050 Partnerships with Parents

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, I want to discuss the importance of working with parents. Parents can have a huge impact on a setting and we must make a good first impress...

049 Supporting Children Under 2

08 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I wanted to talk about working with children under 2, primarily babies. It's something I feel isn't talked about enough, but we need to consider...

048 How To Feel About An Inspection

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am joined by the lovely members of my Mastermind group as we discuss how we felt before, during and after an inspection. Along with some top t...

047 What, So What, What Now?

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today Vanessa is joined by the amazing Charlie Edwards as they talk about their favourite reflective tool, the "What, So What, What Now?" and how this...

046 All About Me Forms

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am joined by the lovely Hannah as we talk about 'all about me' forms and why they are vital in supporting children with their own individual ...

045 What We Need to Cover - Safeguarding

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, we have seen that so many staff members are missing out on pieces of vital information when it comes to safeguarding. So for this episode, I...

044 Joint Observations

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode will focus on joint observations and what the inspector will expect from you. This is a crucial part of an inspection so it is important ...

043 Cause For Concern

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We would like to look at the cause for concern forms for this episode. This is something that I see many settings get wrong, and it is so important th...

042 Secure Transitions

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we will talk about how crucial it is that we nail transitions within our settings. We need to focus on what we are doing to help support and pre...

041 Speed of Leader

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I want to talk about leadership and the skills and knowledge that we need to have in order to lead effectively. Within this episode you will...

040 - From Good To Outstanding: Josie Hack Shares The Secrets Behind Her Ofsted Success

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what it takes to turn your childcare setting into one that earns an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted? For many early years educators, na...

039 Is Paperwork Needed

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are going to talk about paperwork and if we need it. Ofsted are constantly going on about reducing the amount of paperwork, but that does not...

038 Compliance Visit

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Vanessa talks about Ofsted compliance visits, what a compliance visit is and why Ofsted may turn up to your setting for one. Within ...

037 An Outstanding Inspection 2

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Jenny Bounds from Stockton House School as she talks about her recent experience with Ofsted. Jenny gives us an ...

036 Risk Assessments

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode takes you back to the basics as we reflect on risk assessments. This is something that is crucial when it comes to safeguarding children,...

035 Staff Ratios

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vanessa takes you back to basics and discusses the importance of ratios and what to do if they can not be met. In this episode, you will learn about: ...

034 An Outstanding Inspection

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vanessa talks to Ruth Hassey who just achieved an Outstanding from Ofsted. They talk about all the tips and tricks that you need to nail your inspecti...

033 Safeguarding Folder

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Your safeguarding file, this is something that I have been asked to cover time and time again, so here we go. The safeguarding file, this is important...

032 How to do a SWOT analysis

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A Swot Analysis is a great way to reflect on your business and nursery to see your strengths, what needs to be improved upon, and what can be done to ...

031 Monthly Checks

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is something that has been requested by a few of you, so in this episode, I will be talking about Monthly checks and talk about everything that m...

030 Coming Back from an Inadequate

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After reading recent Ofsted reports, I have seen that a lot of settings are not getting the grades that they want. So for this episode, I figured I wo...

029 Jigsaw Findings

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last month, I have been doing so many QIA's and going out to see your wonderful settings, so I figured for this week, I would share with you ...

028 2 Year Progress Checks

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I would like to talk to you about 2-year progress checks, why these are important and what can be done to ensure they are as efficient as possi...

027 Managing Risks

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last few months, I have seen so many cases where children are being put at risk due to a number of reasons. So, I want to talk to you about m...

026 Through the Eyes of a child

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this weeks episode I talk to you about seeing things through the eyes of the child and why this is such an important part of teaching in early year...

025 The Importance of Training

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Vanessa talks about the importance of training and what impact the training should have. In this episode you will learn. -How to tell ...

024 Why it is so important to get transitions right?

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vanessa and  Hannah  ( both former early years inspectors ) to talk about transitions and how to make sure they are as smooth and effective as possi...

023 The Importance of DSL

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Vanessa talks about the importance of DSL and why it is important to keep up-to-date with your training. In this episode you will lear...

022 Supervisions and Appraisals

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this weeks episode Vanessa is joined yet again by former Ofsted inspector Hannah as they talk about the importance of supervisions and appraisals. ...

021 Ofsted Experiences

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this weeks episode Vanessa talks to Nursery Manager Rosie about the ins and outs of an inspection as well as personal experiences. In this episode ...

020 Invisible Children

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode Vanessa will be talking to former Ofsted Inspector Hannah and discussing Invisible Children. This is something that is quite bi...

019 What is a Significant Event

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Are You Ready For Your Inspection podcast, this episode I want to focus on what a significant event is and what you should be doing if ...

018 Start of 2022

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, I welcome the new year and talk about all of the exciting changes happening to Jigsaw this year!