The Bristol Standard

The Bristol Standard Quality Improvement Framework

“Improving on our previous best”

The Bristol Standard is a self-evaluation framework that is used by early years practitioners and play workers to enable them to take part in reflective discussions around ten dimensions of quality to identify their current strengths and targets for improvement. This is an annual cycle which settings complete and then submit for validation. Children are at the heart of the Bristol Standard and all targets detail the benefits for children of the actions being taken.

The Bristol Standard is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding framework to support a journey of continuous improvement. The benefits and impact of the Bristol Standard have been well-evidenced. It can be used effectively as a framework for action planning and is very useful as evidence for Ofsted and other stakeholders. The Bristol Standard brings teams together with a shared vision and supports ongoing staff professional development.

Starting the Bristol Standard had a positive impact on my self-esteem. I started to feel happier. I started to value myself. I was proud of what I was doing because I was actually doing well, better than I thought at least.

We have been involved in this process for longer than the 12 years I have been at the school, and it has opened up a dialogue for us as a team – one which spills into our lunchtimes and conversations in the evenings, because we are so engaged and interested in the learning that takes place in our setting.

We have been able to allocate time to reflect on our practice, think critically and celebrate successes as a team.

The cycle of monitoring our practice ensures that we continually reflect on our own practice and that of our FS colleagues. We have become a close working group, not only while teaching the children, but also in providing support for each other.