Safeguarding and Child Protection for Childcare Providers

Safeguarding is the single most important responsibility of any childcare provider. Ofsted will always prioritise safeguarding in inspections, and failure to have effective safeguarding arrangements is the most common reason for enforcement action and registration suspension.

Every childcare setting must have a comprehensive safeguarding policy, a trained designated safeguarding lead, and staff who understand how to recognise and report concerns.

Your designated safeguarding lead

Recognising abuse and neglect

All staff must be trained to recognise the four types of abuse:

• Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, bruising in unusual locations, flinching from physical contact, reluctance to undress
• Emotional abuse: Withdrawn behaviour, low self-esteem, excessive clinginess, self-harm, regression in development
• Sexual abuse: Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour or language, pain or discomfort in genital area, reluctance to be alone with specific adults
• Neglect: Persistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate clothing, untreated medical conditions, frequent absences

If you have a concern, record it immediately using your setting's concern form and report to the designated safeguarding lead the same day.

Prevent duty

All Ofsted-registered childcare providers have a legal duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015:

Disqualification from childcare work

Certain offences and court orders automatically disqualify people from working in childcare:

Staff training requirements

Safeguarding training is mandatory for all childcare staff:

• Induction: All new staff must complete safeguarding training before starting work with children
• Annual refresh: All staff should receive annual safeguarding updates (can be delivered via staff meetings, online modules, or workshops)
• DSL training: Designated safeguarding lead must complete multi-agency Level 3 training, refreshed in line with your local safeguarding partnership's requirements — every 2 years is the norm
• Prevent training: All staff must complete Prevent awareness training
• Record training: Keep a training log showing dates, topics, and attendance for all staff

Safeguarding changes from September 2025

The Childcare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2025 strengthened the EYFS safeguarding requirements from 1 September 2025. Make sure your policy and practice cover:

• Safer recruitment: References must be obtained and scrutinised before confirming a person's employment
• Safer eating: Choking awareness, whole-setting supervision of children while they are eating, and someone trained in paediatric first aid available during mealtimes
• Nappy changing and intimate care: Privacy safeguards for children while protecting them from harm
• Absences: Follow up unexplained absences and hold multiple emergency contact numbers for each child
• Safeguarding training criteria: Strengthened criteria for safeguarding training, including 2-yearly renewal
• Whistleblowing: Clear procedures so staff can raise concerns about safeguarding practice in the setting
• Paediatric first aid: Anyone counted in staff ratios must hold a valid paediatric first aid certificate