About Me

Deborah Udakis | Early Years Publications, Resources & Professional Development / Former Her Majesty’s Inspector

I have spent more than 45 years working in and with the early years sector, with a career spanning practice, leadership, regulation, inspection, professional development and consultancy.

Before establishing Deborah Udakis Consultancy, I was one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI), specialising in early years. During more than 20 years in inspection, I led inspections across a wide range of early years provision, schools and children’s centres, quality assured the work of inspectors, contributed to inspector training and undertook specialist survey and investigation work.

My experience before joining Ofsted included leadership roles within local authority nurseries and children’s centres in London and a senior position within a local authority Registration and Inspection Unit. I also contributed to the development of the Home Childcare Scheme for the Department for Education.

During my time as HMI, safeguarding was a significant area of my work. I undertook safeguarding audit activity, contributed to work concerned with the experiences and outcomes of children in care, and provided inspection and regulatory expertise that informed advice to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector and government. I also contributed to national reports and publications, including the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report.

Bringing Experience Into Today’s Early Years Practice

Throughout my career, one principle has remained constant: what we do must make a meaningful difference to children.

My specialist interests include safeguarding and child protection, curriculum and pedagogy, continuous provision, leadership and professional practice, inclusion, professional development and improving children’s experiences and outcomes.

Today, I increasingly bring this experience to my professional publications, practical guides, resources and training.

My aim is to take complex statutory requirements, professional guidance, research and important areas of early years practice and make them accessible and useful. My resources are designed not simply to tell practitioners what to do, but to encourage them to think, question, reflect and understand why practice matters.

I continue to provide selected specialist consultancy and professional support where this can add particular value.

Qualifications & Professional Expertise

My professional qualifications reflect a career spanning early years practice, leadership, social policy, inspection and investigative practice.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Integrated Practice in Childhood and Youth – Level 7
• Advanced Diploma in Investigative Practice – Level 7
• BSc (Hons) Social Sciences
• Diploma in Social Policy
• Certificate in Care Management
• Certificate in Health and Social Care
• NVQ Level 4 in Management
• D32 & D33 Assessor Awards
• Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB)

Professional Safeguarding

I hold a current Enhanced DBS Certificate.

Why I Continue to Do This Work

Early childhood matters.

The experiences, relationships, care and opportunities children receive during their earliest years can have a profound and lasting influence.

That is why I remain committed to supporting knowledgeable, thoughtful and professionally confident early years practitioners and leaders — and to creating resources that help them provide safe, inclusive, ambitious and nurturing experiences for every child.