Ofsted recommendations for group-based settings

Professional development

  • Enhance professional development opportunities further to identify precise training needs and build on staff knowledge and skills (June 2025).
  • Support staff to extend children's learning even further as they play with an aim to raise outcomes for children (July 2025).
  • Consistently implement behaviour management strategies with an aim to ensure all children start to learn right from wrong and how their actions can impact on others (July 2025).

Link to further information:

Early Years CPD schedule and booking details | Shropshire Learning Gateway

SEND

  • Strengthen professional relationships with outside agencies to seek swift guidance for children who may have SEND to further enhance their plans of support (July 2025).
  • Support staff to enhance their planning and delivery of the curriculum during group activities, so that it meets the differing needs of the children (July 2025).

Links to further information:

Early Years Inclusion Advice and Funding | Shropshire Learning Gateway

The SEND local offer | Shropshire Council

Supervision

  • Improve the arrangements for supporting and monitoring staff practice further, so that all aspects of the curriculum are implemented consistently (September 2025).

Links to further information:

Transitions

  • Strengthen the transition arrangements in place with an aim to support staff to better meet the needs of children, particularly as they transition into a new room (July 2025).

Links to further information:

Transitions during the day - Staffordshire County Council