Guide
Premises and Fire Safety for Childcare Settings
Premises requirements and fire safety for childcare providers including EYFS space standards, fire risk assessment, fire drills, evacuation procedures, and daily safety checks.
Your childcare premises must meet strict safety and space requirements under the EYFS statutory framework. Fire safety is governed separately by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises where people are employed or where the public has access.
For childminders operating from home, fire safety requirements apply to the areas used for childminding.
EYFS space requirements
Your premises must provide minimum space per child:
Fire safety
As the responsible person, you must ensure fire safety in your childcare premises:
Risk assessments
Regular risk assessment is a fundamental EYFS requirement for all childcare settings:
Planning permission
If you are setting up a new nursery or converting premises for childcare use, you may need planning permission: