Early Years Quality & Compliance Auditor

Monkey Puzzle Nursery Group; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Monkey Puzzle Nursery Group is seeking an Early Years Quality & Compliance Auditor to assess the quality, compliance and effectiveness across our network of nursery settings through a robust audit programme.

You will conduct evidence-based evaluations, identify risks and areas for improvement, produce audit reports and SMART improvement plans, and work with the Early Years Quality Team to ensure alignment with quality support plans. Travel across the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Full and relevant Early Years qualification or above.
• Experience in a senior/leadership role in an early years setting.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS framework, Ofsted toolkit and inspection processes.
• Experience leading an early years setting through Ofsted inspections with positive outcomes.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, safer recruitment and health & safety requirements.
• Knowledge of SEND, inclusion and equality legislation.
• Experience evaluating quality and compliance in early years settings.
• Ability to identify improvements and develop improvement plans.
• Ability to gather, evaluate and triangulate evidence for objective judgments.
• Experience producing professional reports and communicating findings.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills with ability to challenge constructively.
• Ability to work independently with professional judgement and confidentiality.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft 365.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based quality and compliance audits across all settings on a 12-month rolling programme.
• Support planning and delivery of the audit programme with consistent, objective judgments.
• Evaluate settings against EYFS, Ofsted, and Monkey Puzzle quality standards.
• Review safeguarding, safer recruitment, health & safety, curriculum, SEND and inclusion.
• Champion quality provision and readiness for inspections across the network.
• Provide recommendations and actions to strengthen quality and inspection readiness.
• Deliver audit findings and improvement plans within seven days of audits.
• Collaborate with Early Years Quality Managers to align audit activities.
• Share reports and maintain records using organisational systems.
• Travel across the UK for audits and follow-up visits.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership experience

Analytical thinking

Organisation

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification or above

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Early Years Quality & Compliance Auditor is responsible for assessing the quality, compliance and effectiveness of early years provision across Monkey Puzzle’s network of Nursery Group and Franchised nursery settings through a robust programme of quality and compliance audits.

The role is responsible for conducting clear, objective and evidence-based evaluations of nursery performance, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and any safeguarding, compliance or quality risks. It will produce high quality audit reports and Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound quality and compliance improvement plans within agreed timescales, working closely with the Early Years Quality Team to ensure alignment with any existing quality support plans. The role will communicate findings effectively to relevant stakeholders, undertake follow up activities, identify emerging risks, and support sustained improvements in quality and compliance across the nursery network.

Key Responsibilities:

Purpose & Objectives of the job

The Early Years Quality & Compliance Auditor is responsible for assessing the quality, compliance and effectiveness of early years provision across Monkey Puzzle’s network of Nursery Group and Franchised nursery settings through a robust programme of quality and compliance audits.

The role is responsible for conducting clear, objective and evidence-based evaluations of nursery performance, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and any safeguarding, compliance or quality risks. It will produce high quality audit reports and Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound quality and compliance improvement plans within agreed timescales, working closely with the Early Years Quality Team to ensure alignment with any existing quality support plans. The role will communicate findings effectively to relevant stakeholders, undertake follow up activities, identify emerging risks, and support sustained improvements in quality and compliance across the nursery network.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality & Compliance Auditing

• Conduct scheduled, risk based and follow up quality and compliance audits across all Nursery Group and Franchised settings as part of a 12 month rolling programme.
• Support the Quality, Curriculum and Standards Lead in planning and delivering the audit programme, ensuring consistent, accurate and objective audit judgements.
• Evaluate settings through observation of practice and review of documentation against EYFS requirements, statutory guidance, Ofsted expectations and Monkey Puzzle quality standards.
• Observe practice and review documentation, including safeguarding, safer recruitment, health and safety, curriculum implementation, SEND and inclusion, leadership and management, to evaluate the effectiveness of provision.
• Champion high quality provision, curriculum implementation and EYFS compliance across the nursery network, identifying and recognising strengths, effective practice and areas of excellence across safeguarding, SEND, leadership, management, compliance and wider operational practice.
• Identify areas of non compliance, emerging risks and opportunities for improvement, providing clear recommendations and actions to strengthen quality, compliance and inspection readiness.
• Assess settings' readiness for Ofsted inspections and other regulatory visits, identifying strengths, areas for development and actions required to achieve the highest possible outcomes.
• Deliver tailored advice, guidance, training and support to Nursery Managers and Franchisees before, during and following Ofsted inspections and other regulatory visits.

Audit Reporting & Improvement Planning

• Produce clear, accurate and evidence based audit reports and SMART quality and compliance improvement plans within seven days of each audit.
• Ensure audit findings, judgements and recommendations are evidence based and clearly highlight strengths, effective practice, risks, areas of non compliance, opportunities for improvement and priority actions.
• Provide constructive feedback, professional guidance and appropriate challenge to Nursery Managers, Franchisees and relevant stakeholders, supporting sustained quality and compliance improvements.
• Work collaboratively with Early Years Quality Managers to ensure audit findings, improvement plans, support visits and reporting are aligned and deliver a coordinated approach to quality improvement.
• Share reports and improvement plans with relevant stakeholders and maintain accurate records using organisational systems, including Monday.com and SharePoint.

Follow-Up, Monitoring & Quality Improvement

• Agree and coordinate follow up activity with the Quality, Curriculum and Standards Lead and EYQMs, ensuring audit findings, improvement plans, support visits and reporting are aligned.
• Complete follow up visits and re-audits to evaluate whether improvements have been implemented, embedded and sustained.
• Monitor progress against improvement plans, identifying where additional support, intervention or escalation is required.
• Provide advice and guidance on curriculum, safeguarding, SEND, inclusion, inspection readiness and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to targeted quality improvement activity, post inspection action planning and the development of settings with Strong Standard or Exceptional potential.

Risk, Escalation & Performance Reporting

• Work closely with the Quality, Curriculum and Standards Lead and Early Years Quality Managers to share audit outcomes, monitor emerging risks, and coordinate follow up activity.
• Immediately report and escape significant safeguarding, regulatory, compliance, health and safety or quality concerns inline with organisational procedures.
• Use audit findings and trends to identify emerging risks and support early intervention before concerns escalated.
• Highlight settings requiring additional oversight, intervention, support or further quality assurance activity.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive safeguarding, personnel and organisational information appropriately.
• Take accountability for managing allocated workload, travel, report writing and follow-up activity within agreed timescales, promptly communicating any circumstances that may affect delivery.

Quality Assurance, Data & Organisational Insight

• Contribute to the development and review of audit tools, policies, guidance, quality assurance processes and curriculum initiatives.
• Use audit outcomes and quality data to inform early intervention, quality improvement priorities and organisational decision-making.
• Share audit learning, effective practice and quality insights with the Early Years Quality Team and wider network to support continuous improvement.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the EYFS, Ofsted requirements, safeguarding guidance, legislation and sector research, applying developments to practice and organisational improvement.

Collaboration, Training & Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with the Early Years Quality Team, Operations Teams, Nursery Managers, Franchisees and other stakeholders to support quality improvement and compliance.
• Build effective professional relationships while maintaining the objectivity and integrity required of the audit role.
• Support Ofsted registration visits and contribute to policy updates, professional development activities and the sharing of audit learning and effective practice.
• Contribute to the design, delivery and continuous improvement of training and resources that support quality, compliance, curriculum implementation and inspection readiness.
• Deliver training and presentations through a range of forums, including online sessions, INSET days, conferences and other internal events.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings, industry events, professional networks and development opportunities, applying sector developments and research to improve practice.
• Undertake other duties and projects appropriate to the scope and responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Level 3 Full and Relevant Early Years qualification or above.
• Experience within a senior or leadership role in an early years group.
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS Statutory Framework, Early Years Inspection Toolkit and Ofsted inspection process.
• Experience of leading an early years setting through an Ofsted inspection with positive outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, safer recruitment and health and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of SEND, inclusion and equality legislation.
• Experience of evaluating quality and compliance within early years settings.
• Experience of identifying areas for improvement and developing effective improvement plans.
• Ability to gather, evaluate and triangulate evidence to make secure and objective judgements.
• Experience of producing professional reports and communicating findings effectively.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to provide constructive professional challenge.
• Ability to work independently, exercise professional judgement and maintain confidentiality.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft 365.
• A keen learner, with a commitment to ongoing training, professional development and upskilling.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Experience of conducting quality or compliance audits.
• Experience within a multi-site or franchise organisation.
• Experience supporting Ofsted registration visits.
• Experience analysing quality data and trends.
• DSL, Safer Recruitment or relevant quality assurance training.
• Passionate about improving outcomes and experiences for children.
• Professional, objective and evidence-based.
• Analytical with excellent attention to detail.
• Accountable for delivering work to a high standard and within agreed timescales.
• An excellent communicator, able to provide constructive challenge and build positive professional relationships.
• Collaborative, proactive and solution-focused.
• Adaptable, compassionate and calm under pressure.
• Committed to continuous professional development and maintaining up-to-date sector knowledge.

Additional Requirements

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the UK.
• Willingness to undertake occasional overnight stays.
• Ability to work flexibly in response to organisational priorities, audit requirements and emerging risks.
• Successful completion of all required safer recruitment and suitability checks.