Practising for your inspection

Inspection Practice is a bank of practice scenarios. Read what an inspector looks for, write how you'd answer, and track how confident you feel.

1. Open Inspection Practice

Go to Tools and open Inspection Practice. The progress card shows how many questions you've reviewed.

2. Find a scenario

Choose a category, such as Safeguarding & Prevent, or search by topic, scenario or statute. For example, search for "disclosure".

3. Read the guidance

On a scenario, tap Show Guidance & Evidence. You'll see:

• INSPECTOR RATIONALE & FOCUS
• Key Points to Demonstrate
• Acceptable Evidence & Real-World Dialogue
• COMMON MYTHS & GAPS TO AVOID, where there are any
• the Statutory Reference

4. Write your answer

Tap Add / View Private Practice Notes and write how you'd answer, in your own words. Your note saves when you leave the box.

5. Rate your confidence

Tap Needs Practice, Confident or Mastered.

6. Check your progress

Use the filters, such as Mastered or Needs Practice, to see what's ready and what still needs work.

Your ratings and notes are saved on your device and are never visible to parents or inspectors. To start again, tap the reset button at the top of the screen and confirm Reset All.

Reference: the website simulator

The free Mock Ofsted Inspection Simulator is a separate tool on the KinderStart website. You don't need the app to use it.

• It asks five questions, one at a time, in a chat.
• When you've answered, tap View My Readiness Score to see a practice grade and whether your safeguarding answer was marked Met or Not Met.
• Enter your email to unlock a PDF report.

The score is a practice guide, not an inspection judgement.

What to do next

• Logging a safeguarding concern: the record inspectors expect to see.
• Safety checks and audits: keep your safety records up to date.