Compliance Guidance

Inspection Readiness Guides

Choose the guide that matches your service

Workforce documentation expectations differ between CQC-regulated care providers and Ofsted-registered early years settings. We've split our inspection-readiness guidance into two separate guides so you can go straight to the version that fits your service.

CQC-Regulated Care

How to Prepare for a CQC Inspection

A practical workforce documentation guide for care providers preparing for inspection.

This guide covers:

  • Regulation 17 — Good Governance
  • Regulation 18 — Staffing
  • Regulation 19 — Fit and Proper Persons Employed
  • Safeguarding policies and training records
  • Statutory notifications
  • How to organise recruitment, DBS, training, and governance records before inspection
Open CQC guide
Early Years / Ofsted

How to Prepare for an Ofsted Inspection

A practical workforce documentation guide for nurseries and childcare settings preparing for inspection.

This guide covers:

  • Staff suitability records
  • Safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Safeguarding leadership and oversight
  • Safeguarding training and Annex C
  • Paediatric first aid coverage
  • References and employment checks
  • How to organise workforce and safeguarding records before inspection
Open Ofsted guide

Why this matters

When inspectors arrive, managers often need to locate records quickly.

If workforce documentation is spread across folders, spreadsheets, emails, training portals, and paper files, inspection can become more stressful than it needs to be.

Clear, well-organised records help providers:

  • Locate evidence quickly
  • Show leadership oversight more clearly
  • Identify gaps before inspection
  • Keep important documentation current over time

Not sure which guide is right for you?

Choose CQC if you run a:

  • Domiciliary care service
  • Supported living service
  • Residential care home
  • Nursing home
  • Extra care or sheltered housing with personal care
  • Community-based care service
  • Small care provider registered with CQC

If you are unsure which applies to your service, check your registration certificate — it will show your regulator.

Open CQC guide

Choose Ofsted if you run a:

  • Nursery or preschool
  • Childminding setting
  • Breakfast club or after-school club
  • Holiday club or out of school care setting
  • Toddler group or sessional care setting
  • Independent school with early years provision
  • Maintained school nursery class
  • Children's centre or family hub with childcare provision

If you are unsure which applies to your service, check your registration certificate — it will show your regulator.

Open Ofsted guide

Need help getting inspection-ready?

EntryComply helps providers organise workforce documentation and governance records so key evidence is easier to locate when needed.

EntryComply does not certify compliance, assess individual suitability, or guarantee inspection outcomes. Providers remain solely responsible for all regulatory and safeguarding decisions.

If you are unsure what records you already have in place or where the gaps are, a short review can help you decide the next practical step.