Safeguarding in Early Years settings: Q&A guide for Parents/Carers

Safeguarding means keeping children safe from harm and promoting their wellbeing.
In nurseries and childminders, this includes:

• Protecting children from abuse or neglect
• Ensuring a safe environment (secure premises, supervision, ratios)
• Having trained staff who know how to respond to concerns
• Supporting children’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs

It is a legal requirement under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Young children:

• Are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect

• Cannot always communicate when something is wrong

• Are completely dependent on adults to keep them safe

Early years providers play a key role in noticing changes in behaviour and acting quickly if there are concerns.

In England:

• Providers must follow the EYFS statutory framework

• They are usually inspected by Ofsted

• They must follow national guidance such as:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026

These ensure children are cared for in a safe, structured, and well-monitored environment.

You should expect:

• A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Clear written safeguarding policies and procedures

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all staff

• Regular training (at least every 2 years)

• Procedures for:

• reporting concerns

• managing allegations

• online safety

• tracking absence

• Safe staff-to-child ratios. Statutory Minimum Ratios:
  
  

• Under 2 years old: 1 staff member for every 3 children (1:3)

• Aged 2 years: 1 staff member for every 5 children (1:5)

• Aged 3 to 5 years: 1 staff member for every 8 children (1:8).

  Exception: The ratio increases to 1:13 if a member of staff holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or another approved Level 6 qualification is working directly with the children.

• Secure building and entry systems

About staff and training

• Who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead?

• How often do staff complete safeguarding training?

• What happens if a staff member has concerns about a child?

About safety procedures

• How do you ensure children cannot leave unnoticed?

• How do you manage visitor access to the setting?

• What is your procedure if a child is injured or goes missing?

About recruitment and checks

• Are all staff DBS checked?

• How do you check staff are suitable to work with children?

About child protection

• What would you do if you suspected a child was being harmed?

• Who do you report concerns to (e.g. local authority/MASH)?

About wellbeing and inclusion

• How do you support children’s emotional wellbeing?

• How do you work with parents if there are concerns?

Environment

• Secure entrance (e.g. locked doors, sign-in system)

• Safe, clean and well-maintained spaces

• Age-appropriate equipment and risk assessments

Staff behaviour

• Staff are attentive, calm, and engaged

• Positive interactions with children

• Children appear happy, settled, and confident

Organisation

• Good supervision and appropriate ratios

• Clear routines

• Staff know children well

Safeguarding culture

• Policies are readily available

• Staff confidently talk about safeguarding

• Safeguarding is clearly taken seriously and routinely discussed

They should:

• Monitor children’s behaviour and wellbeing

• Record and report concerns promptly

• Follow clear procedures if a child is at risk

• Work with other professionals (e.g. health visitors, social care)

• Maintain regular communication with parents

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check:

• Confirms whether someone has a criminal record

• Ensures they are safe to work with children

All staff and regular volunteers should have appropriate checks before working with children.

If a concern arises:

1. Staff record observations

2. They report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

3. If necessary, concerns are referred to the local authority safeguarding team (MASH)

4. The child’s safety is always the priority

Good settings act quickly and follow clear procedures.

Parents play an important role by:

• Sharing relevant information about their child

• Asking questions and staying informed

• Raising concerns if something doesn’t feel right

• Working in partnership with the setting

Be alert if you notice:

• Poor communication from staff

• High staff turnover

• Lack of clear policies

• Staff unsure about safeguarding procedures

• Unexplained injuries or incidents

• Children appearing consistently distressed

Trust your instincts—it’s okay to ask questions or raise concerns.

You can:

• Speak to the manager or safeguarding lead

• Contact your local authority safeguarding team

• Raise concerns with Ofsted

If a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services (999).

• Manager qualifications: the nursery manager must hold an approved qualification at Level 3 or above, with at least half of the remaining staff holding an approved Level 2 qualification.

• Apprentices and students: apprentices and students on placement can only be included in the ratios if they are competent, responsible, and hold a valid Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certificate. 

• To confirm specific standards, qualifications, or legal changes, it is highly recommended to review the Early years qualification requirements and standards published by the Department for Education.

• Supervision during meals: When children are eating, they must be within the direct sight and hearing of an adult.

A good Early Years setting will:

• Be open and transparent

• Take safeguarding seriously

• Have well-trained, confident staff

• Put the child’s safety and wellbeing first at all times