Nursery QA Audit | Specialist Early Years Compliance Check

Why Early Years Settings Need Quality Assurance Audits

A General QA Audit serves as a vital 'health check' for Early Years settings, identifying hidden compliance gaps and curriculum weaknesses before they become inspection risks or safeguarding failures.

What do we check?

We deep-dive into your SCR to ensure every staff member, volunteer, and contractor is fully vetted. This includes verifying DOBs, unique DBS numbers, and "Right to Work in the UK" evidence. We audit your recruitment trail—checking for two references and documented CV gap explanations—while ensuring all Level 2/3 qualifications meet "Full and Relevant" criteria and annual suitability declarations are signed.

This stage secures the external perimeter and internal safety. We test intercoms, self-closing gates, and finger-guards, alongside a blind spot sweep to ensure no child is ever out of sight. We verify COSHH security, check that first aid kits are stocked and localised, and review "Daily Safety Check" logs to ensure they are a living document, not just a paperwork exercise.

We audit the "Red Plate" system and GDPR-compliant allergy mapping to ensure child safety during mealtimes. This includes fridge temperature monitoring, raw meat storage protocols, and nappy-changing hygiene observations. We also review your medication and accident logs to identify patterns—such as recurring trip hazards—and verify Safe Sleep practices

This is where we measure "Curriculum Ambition." We observe "Serve and Return" interactions and audit the communication environment (song spoons, photo albums, etc.). We review "Learning Journeys" and the 2-Year-Old Progress Check to ensure "Next Steps" are meaningful. We also assess whether resources are truly "Open-Ended" to promote high-level play and development.

We audit the SENCo file, ensuring the Assess, Plan, Do, Review is visible and IEPs are current. We review the impact of EYPP funding and ensure staff well-being and workload are managed. Finally, we verify the training matrix and ensure a Complaints Log is ready for use.

The final stage covers fire safety—verifying quarterly drills, equipment servicing, and grab bag readiness. We also conduct a digital audit, checking that any AI used for planning is secure and that Privacy Notices are transparent. We ensure Shared Care is in place for children attending multiple settings, closing the loop on all information sharing.

Understanding Each Phase

Statutory Safeguarding & Personnel

The SCR: We check that every staff member, volunteer, and regular contractor is listed with their full name, address, and DOB.
DBS Details: We verify the unique DBS number and the date the check was obtained for every person.
Right to Work: We look for evidence of identity checks and "Right to Work in the UK" (passports/visas).
Safer Recruitment: We ensure that there are a minimum of two references for every staff member, including the most recent employer.
Employment Gaps: We check for documented explanations for any gaps in a CV (e.g., "travelled for 6 months").
Qualifications: We look at original certificates for Level 2/3 qualifications and proof that they meet the full and relevant criteria.
Disqualification: We check for signed annual "Disqualification by Association" and "Suitability to Work with Children" declarations for all staff.

Health & Safety: Premises & Security

Entrance/Exits: We check that all intercoms work and that self-closing gates/doors are fully functional.
External Perimeter: We check fences for holes, climbable objects, or loose panels.
The "Blind Spot" Sweep: We ensure there are no areas where a child can be out of sight or hearing of staff.
Safety Equipment: We check that socket covers are in place and that finger-guards are fitted to heavy doors.
Hazardous Substances: We ensure the COSHH cupboard is locked and that no cleaning chemicals (including hand sanitiser) are within reach of children.
First Aid Kits: We check that kits are fully stocked, in date, and located in necessary rooms and the gardens.
Risk Assessments: We review the daily safety checking logs to see if they are being signed off before children arrive.

Health & Safety: Food, Hygiene & Medical

Allergy Management: We check that every room has a visible (but GDPR-compliant) allergy list and that staff can explain the "Red Plate" (or similar) system.
Food Hygiene: We check the fridge temperature logs (must be below 5°C) and that food is stored correctly (raw meat at the bottom).
Nappy Changing: We observe a change to ensure gloves/aprons are used, the mat is cleaned with the correct spray, and hands are washed immediately after. (The child should not be able to be seen by the inspector, staff or children unless necessary. Part of the check will be to see how staff respect a child's physical integrity.)
Medical Records: We check the Medication Administered logs. We ensure they have the necessary signatures for every dose given.
Accident Logs: We review the last 10 accidents. Are they signed by parents? Is there a pattern (e.g., a specific "trip hazard" toy)?
Safe Sleep: We check that babies are placed on their backs and that there are no loose blankets or soft toys in cots.

Curriculum & Quality of Education

Curriculum Ambition: Can the room leader explain what they want a 1-year-old to learn this term? (e.g., "Learning to use a spoon" or "Developing single-word speech").
Communication Environment: Count the number of Communication-Rich features (e.g., photo albums of families, song spoons, low-level mirrors).
Staff Interaction: We observe for serve and return interactions (staff responding to a baby's babble or gesture).
Progress Tracking: Review 3 Learning Journeys. Are there Next Steps identified, and is the 2-Year-Old Progress Check complete for relevant children?
Resource Quality: We check that toys are age-appropriate, clean, and promote "Open-Ended" play (e.g., blocks, fabrics, sand).

Inclusion, SEND & Leadership

The SENCo File: We check that Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are reviewed every 6-12 weeks and that the Assess, Plan, Do, Review is visible.
Staff Supervision: We check the "Supervision Log." Every staff member must have a private 1-to-1 meeting at least once a term to discuss workload and well-being.
Training Matrix: We verify that the necessary amount of Paediatric First Aid trained staff are on-site and on trips at all times.
Parent Voice: We check the Complaints Log. Even if it’s empty, the folder must exist and be ready for use.

Emergency & Fire Safety

Fire Drill Log: We check that a drill is performed at least once every 3 months and that "total evacuation time" is recorded.
Grab Bag: We ensure a Grab Bag (with emergency numbers and a first aid kit) is ready by the main fire exit.
Fire Equipment: We check the tags on fire extinguishers to ensure they have been serviced within the last 12 months.

Digital & Documentation

AI & Technology: If the setting uses AI for tracking or planning, we check the checks and balances to ensure data is safe and accurate.
Information Sharing: We check that privacy notices are given to parents, explaining how their data is stored.
Shared Care: If a child attends another nursery, we check that there is evidence of communication between settings.

Frequently asked questions

The General QA Audit (£475) is an operational "Health Check" designed to ensure your nursery is safe, legal, and compliant with the daily requirements of the EYFS. It focuses on the plumbing of the setting—things like nappy-changing hygiene, fridge temperatures, and the accuracy of your Single Central Record.

The £600 Full Setting Inspection (Mock Ofsted) is a "Performance Rehearsal" that mirrors the official 5-phase inspection process exactly. It focuses on the "impact" of your work, evaluating the quality of your curriculum, tracking the progress of specific children, and testing your leadership's ability to articulate your vision.

The on-site portion of our Audit typically lasts 6 hours, but this can change depending on the setting. Please remember, it could be a little shorter than this average or longer.

Absolutely, we offer specialised audits to dive deeper into specific pillars of excellence. Currently, you can book:

Full Setting Audit (Comprehensive)
SEND Excellence Audit (Focusing on inclusion and graduated response)
Safeguarding & Culture Audit (Focusing on statutory compliance and staff knowledge)
General Quality Assurance Audit

Additionally, you can request specific audits through our booking form. We also have consultancy hours available.

We provide our expert Inspections and Audits all across England. While we are centrally based in Tiverton, Devon—serving our local community within a 1-hour radius (including Exeter, Taunton, and surrounding areas)—our consultancy team travels nationwide to ensure every setting has access to high-level expertise. For settings outside our immediate Devon/Somerset hub, a small travel fee applies to cover logistics, ensuring you receive the same gold-standard service regardless of your location. (We are very transparent about our fees, so please message us through the booking form with your location, and we can send you a clear travel price.)