Early Years Audit Pack (2025)

This audit pack gives you a full set of editable tools to help you evaluate and improve your school’s early years provision. Every document is designed to support strategic self-evaluation, save time and help you plan next steps with clarity. You’ll get:

☑️ A 31-page editable Early Years Audit document
This is the core audit tool, with structured reflection questions and prompts across seven key areas. It includes space to evaluate strengths, identify gaps and consider a wide range of evidence. The seven sections are:

1. Strategic leadership of the early years
2. Curriculum design and sequencing
3. Adult–child interactions and teaching practice
4. Foundations for early reading, language and mathematics
5. Wellbeing, relationships and independence
6. Achievement and readiness for Key Stage
7. Evaluating impact and continuous improvement

Work through it at your own pace with colleagues and stakeholders.

☑️ Early years action plan template
A simple, editable Word document to help you capture priorities and set clear, strategic next steps.

☑️ EYFS document checklist
Helps you identify and gather the key documents that support your EYFS self-evaluation and inspection readiness.

☑️ Early years question bank
Editable questions to support EYFS-focused pupil voice, staff feedback, parent/carer engagement and governor scrutiny – ideal for triangulating evidence.

☑️ One-page summary template
A flexible Word template for sharing key findings with SLT, governors or trust leaders.

☑️ PDF guidance: Auditing your School's Provision
An 11-page printable guide to help you audit effectively, with practical tips on planning, reviewing and involving others in the process. A print-friendly version is included.

Every document is provided in an editable Word format, except for the PDF guide. A free update will be available in September once the final Ofsted framework is published.

This audit pack is designed for anyone with responsibility for leading, evaluating or improving early years provision in a school. This could include EYFS leaders, headteachers, deputy heads, assistant heads and curriculum leads, as well as Key Stage 1 phase leaders or others with oversight of Reception and school-based nursery provision.

It’s particularly useful for leaders responsible for the quality of teaching and learning in the early years, including curriculum design, adult–child interactions, early reading and preparation for Year 1. Leaders preparing for Ofsted can use the pack to structure their EYFS self-evaluation and highlight how provision is shaped by evidence and children’s needs.

Senior leaders and trust executives can also use the pack to support broader improvement work, including line management, curriculum reviews and shaping school or trust-wide expectations for early years leadership and delivery. It’s a practical tool for evidencing strengths and gaps, including when preparing for inspection under the Ofsted 2025 framework.

This audit pack is based on the best practice in schools and the structure and themes from the draft 2025 Ofsted School Inspection Toolkit. The final version is expected in September 2025. As soon as the final framework is published, we’ll review and update this resource to ensure full alignment.

If you’ve already purchased the pack, you’ll receive the updated version for free – no need to buy again.

Will the updated version be very different?

This all depends on the outcomes of the consultation but at the moment, the audit pack reflects the key areas and language in the consultation draft. However, we’ll make sure any structural or wording updates from Ofsted are carefully reflected.

Can I still use the pack now?

Yes, definitely! It’s been designed to help schools reflect, plan and take action without waiting. All the audit questions and themes are grounded in best practice and real school priorities, so you can use the pack confidently as part of ongoing self-evaluation, curriculum reviews or preparation for inspection.

Do I need to do anything to get the updated version?

No. Once the resource is updated, we’ll send you a product update email which will give you instructions to redownload. You can also log into your account on our website at any time to re-download the latest version from your order history.

If you’re reviewing EYFS provision or preparing for inspection, these related resources can help you deepen your evaluation, strengthen leadership and support staff development.

EYFS Deep Dive and Evaluation Audit Bundle

A companion set of tools for EYFS leaders and line managers carrying out early years deep dives. Includes tailored question banks, evidence templates and walkthrough tools to support focused review.

EYFS Leader Folder Pack

A ready-made structure for EYFS leaders to organise key documents, priorities and evidence. Helps you stay inspection-ready and communicate your vision with clarity.

EYFS Practitioner Skills Audit Pack

A practical tool to help leaders assess and develop staff confidence across key areas of EYFS practice – from curriculum knowledge to interactions and routines. Ideal for identifying training needs or supporting appraisal.

Have a look at what's in the pack here: Early Years Audit Pack