“I Don’t Know”

– The Three Words That Haunt Every Nursery Manager’s Dreams!

Picture this... Ofsted’s knocking at the door, and your heart’s racing faster than a toddler chasing bubbles. As a nursery manager, I’m no stranger to the pre-inspection panic. You know the drill—last-minute posts in manager's group, searches for “outstanding” activity ideas, prepping for that all-important learning walk, and crossing every finger that your staff’s knowledge is as sparkling as the glitter in the craft corner.

But let’s be real: there’s one phrase that sends shivers down my spine more than a surprise nappy explosion. “I don’t know.”  Those three little words are the ultimate nursery nightmare when Ofsted’s in the house.

That’s why I’m on a mission to banish them from our vocabulary! We’re talking quizzes that pop up unexpected, rapid-fire random questions to keep everyone on their toes, lively staff meetings that buzz with ideas, and a WhatsApp group that’s basically a 24/7 knowledge party. From the latest early years trends to parent FAQs and Ofsted’s trickiest curveballs, we’re keeping our team sharper than a pair of safety scissors.

When it comes to safeguarding, we’re locked and loaded! One of our secret weapons? Safeguarding definition cards! These beauties live on our staff safeguarding board, bold and easy to read, keeping critical info front and center. But here’s the kicker: print them smaller, and they transform into a brilliant booklet that clips onto a lanyard. Bam! Staff have instant access to key safeguarding details anytime, anywhere—whether they’re juggling toddlers or chatting with parents. It’s like a cheat sheet for staying confident and prepared, no matter what comes their way.

You can find some of the forms available on my website.

• safeguarding definition cards

• safeguarding concern form

• safeguarding timeline

So, bring it on, Ofsted! We’re ready to dazzle, delight, and prove that “I don’t know” isn’t in our playbook.

Drop a comment below, and let’s swap tips to keep those three scary words at bay!

What’s your go-to trick for prepping your team for the big O? Share your wisdom!

Have a lovely day!

Agata