Supervision in early years settings isn’t just a formality—it’s a key part of professional development, safeguarding, and staff wellbeing. Done well, it can improve practice, strengthen teams, and ultimately enhance outcomes for children.

Yet, in some settings, supervisions are rushed, inconsistent, or seen as a ‘tick-box’ exercise. This is where the Wheel of Practice comes in—a structured approach that ensures supervisions are meaningful, reflective, and supportive

So, why are staff supervisions so important, and how can the Wheel of Practice help shape them effectively?

What Are Staff Supervisions?

Supervisions are regular one-to-one meetings between a practitioner and their manager or senior leader. They provide an opportunity to:

• Reflect on practice and identify strengths.
• Address any challenges or concerns.
• Discuss safeguarding issues and professional responsibilities.
• Set goals for development and training.
• Provide emotional support and promote staff wellbeing.

Why Are Supervisions Essential in Early Years?

Supervisions play a crucial role in ensuring a high-quality, safe and reflective practice. They help to:

• Enhance safeguarding – Regular check-ins ensure that practitioners are aware of any safeguarding updates and feel confident in reporting concerns.
• Improve staff performance – By reflecting on strengths and areas for growth, supervisions drive continuous professional development.
• Boost staff wellbeing – Early years is demanding, and supervisions provide a safe space for staff to discuss any stress or challenges.
• Strengthen teamwork and communication – Open discussions help build trust and transparency between staff and leaders.
• Ensure compliance with the EYFS framework – Ofsted expects settings to have robust supervision processes in place.

The Wheel of Practice is a structured approach that ensures supervisions are well-rounded, meaningful, and supportive. It consists of four key areas:

1. Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Every supervision should include a discussion about safeguarding. Practitioners should be encouraged to:

• Reflect on any concerns they’ve had about children.
• Discuss their understanding of policies and procedures.
• Talk about any personal wellbeing issues that might impact their role.

Why it matters: Staff need ongoing safeguarding support to ensure they feel confident in identifying and reporting concerns. Equally, their own wellbeing must be prioritised—practitioners who feel supported are better able to support children.

2. Reflective Practice and Professional Development

This part of the supervision allows staff to reflect on their own practice by asking:

• What has gone well since the last supervision?
• What challenges have I faced?
• What can I do differently or improve?

This is also an opportunity to discuss training needs, CPD opportunities, and career progression.

Why it matters: Reflective practice is essential in early years—it helps practitioners learn from experience, build confidence, and improve their approach.

3. Relationships and Teamwork

Supervisions should also focus on how practitioners interact with children, colleagues, and families. Discussions might include:

• How do you support positive relationships with children?
• Are there any team challenges or communication issues?
• How can we improve partnerships with parents?

Why it matters: Strong relationships are the foundation of high-quality early years practice. Encouraging open discussions about teamwork and communication helps create a supportive, collaborative work environment.

4. Goal Setting and Action Planning

Every supervision should end with clear next steps. This includes:

• Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
• Agreeing on actions to support personal and professional growth.
• Reviewing progress in the next supervision.

Why it matters: Without clear goals, supervisions can become repetitive and lose impact. Having an action plan ensures that discussions lead to real improvement.

Making Supervisions Meaningful: Best Practices

For supervisions to be truly effective, they need to be consistent, structured, and supportive. Here are some top tips:

• Hold them regularly – Supervisions should happen at least every 6-8 weeks to keep discussions relevant.
• Create a safe space – Staff should feel comfortable discussing concerns without fear of criticism.
• Use an agenda – Following the Wheel of Practice structure helps keep supervisions focused and productive.
• Document discussions – Keeping a record of supervisions ensures that progress is tracked and actions are followed up.
• Make it a two-way conversation – Supervisions should be collaborative, not just a manager-led review.

Final Thought: Supervisions Drive Quality and Wellbeing

Effective supervisions aren’t just about checking in—they’re about empowering staff to reflect, grow, and feel supported. The Wheel of Practice provides a framework that ensures all key areas are covered, making supervisions a valuable tool for both professional development and safeguarding.

When staff feel heard, supported, and confident in their role, the entire setting benefits—from improved team morale to better outcomes for children. So, let’s move beyond ‘tick-box’ supervisions and start using them to truly strengthen our practice.

Written by Vanessa Dooley, Founder of Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy