SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Date: August 2025
Name of the person who wrote this policy: Vanessa Kleinman
Name of the Designed Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Note - when 2 childminders work together, they are both equally responsible for keeping children safe.
Latest safeguarding training course date:
Note – safeguarding training must be completed every 2 years.
Underpinning legislation
This policy demonstrates my commitment to child protection and compliance with underpinning safeguarding legislation. The main pieces of legislation and guidance underpinning this policy include:
**The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
**The Childcare Register.
**Working together to safeguard children.
**What to do if you are worried a child is being abused.
**Information sharing guidance.
**Keeping children safe in education.
**Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales.
**The Equality Act 2010.
**Disqualification under the Childcare Act.
**General Data Protection Regulation and UK data protection legislation.
Further legislation and non-statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance may also be accessed.
Definitions of safeguarding / child protection
**Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of children at risk, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.
**Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.Safeguarding / child protection statement
EYFS states: ‘Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well.’
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone in contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding. My role as a childminder is to comply with the statutory requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Childcare Registers and to protect the children in my care.
Some of the ways I fulfil this responsibility are to keep this policy updated, stay up to date with changes to child protection threats and complete regular safeguarding training. Every child in my setting has a named key person and the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) works closely with the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners and follows their advice in relation to child protection and safeguarding concerns.
I aim to ensure that all children, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, are treated with equal respect and have equal rights to protection.
Thresholds of need
I have attached the thresholds of need from my Local Safeguarding Partners to this policy.
If a child lives in a different Local Authority, I will retain reporting information for and follow the procedures provided by that Local Authority.
Signs and symptoms of abuse
I am aware of the 4 main types of abuse – physical, emotional, neglect and sexual. I have attached the latest information about the 4 types of abuse, defined in the statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’, to this policy. I have also included guidance on the symptoms of abuse and changes to children’s behaviour which might indicate abuse and a short explanation of the different types of abuse to which I am alert in my setting and the local community.
Ofsted reporting requirements
I have attached the reporting guidance from the Ofsted document ‘Early Years Providers: non-compliance action’ to this policy. I am aware of the requirement to report changes to Ofsted in relation to disqualification (all providers) and disqualification by association (childminders only).
Action to be taken if there is a safeguarding concern about a child
Children need to feel secure in a safe environment. I am alert to safeguarding concerns in the setting or at home. For example, I will record if a child arrives at the setting with injuries and notify the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners if the injuries are unexplained; I am aware that marks on a non-mobile baby or child are unlikely to be accidental and must be reported; I recognise the risks to children from sexual abuse such as female genital mutilation which is illegal and must be reported to the police (non-emergency number). If I suspect there is a child protection issue, I will take appropriate steps to support the child and record concerns, following advice from my Local Authority, using appropriate documentation when required. Concerns will be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Children Partners.
I have attached a list of contact details and a noticeboard poster to this policy.
Action to be taken if a child makes a safeguarding disclosure
Every child has a named key person who they can approach if they are worried or in difficulty. If a child makes a disclosure related to safeguarding, I will record exactly what was said and report the disclosure to parents and, if relevant, to the relevant agency.
I recognise that where a child’s behaviour changes suddenly or over a period of time and / or a child displays behaviour that worries me, this might be a sign of possible abuse or trauma.
I have received training from the Local Authority on how to receive children’s disclosures. The Local Authority states that I would normally speak to parents about disclosures – however, I must not speak to parents if I think the discussion might make home life worse for the child or if the disclosure relates to suspected sexual abuse, induced / fabricated illness or FGM.
Action to be taken if a safeguarding allegation is made against me or a family member / staff
If a child or parent makes an allegation against me (the childminder), my family, visitors or, if relevant, staff in the setting, their comments will be recorded, and a report will be made to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who will take over the investigation. Ofsted and other agencies will also be informed and may conduct their own investigation.
Supporting vulnerable children
I am aware that children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) are especially vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Where appropriate, I aim to work closely with parents and other agencies / professionals involved in the child’s care.
The Prevent Duty (updated 2023)
I am aware of the risks of children being radicalised or exposed to extremism in their family or online. The Prevent duty was updated in 2023 and the scope of the legislation was broadened – also see mobile phone and camera policy. If I am concerned a child is being radicalised or exposed to extremism, I will raise it with the relevant agency within the Local Authority Safeguarding Partners.
To comply with the Prevent Duty requirements, I am required to promote British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance in the setting and share information with parents.
Online safety
There are many benefits to children using technology in the setting. However, the internet can be a dangerous place for children, especially if they access it independently.
I aim to keep children safe online by their constantly monitoring online use and encouraging children to be open and talk to me about what they are doing online. Children are taught how to stay safe online in age-appropriate ways and any computers, tablets or other internet accessible resources are secure.
Information about online safety is shared with parents to support children at home.
I am aware of the latest cyber-crime guidance signposted in the EYFS.
Record keeping and ICO registration
As early years providers, all childminders are required to be registered with the Information Commissioner's Office as data handlers - https://ico.org.uk/
ICO registration is renewed annually and must be maintained while I am working as a childminder and / or while I keep any information about children and families online.
The Local Authority requires me to pass safeguarding / child protection records relating to early years children on to the child’s next setting and complete a record transfer letter. Until this time, records (paper and online) are stored as securely as possible and confidentially.
I have a clear desk policy when there are visitors in the setting.
Partnership working
Data protection legislation is not a barrier to information sharing in a safeguarding / child protection context. I aim to work in partnership with other agencies and / or professionals, to ensure procedures are suitable to identify, assess and support children.
Note the updated (05.2024) Information Sharing Guidance For Safeguarding Practitioners from Gov.uk –
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-practitioners-information-sharing-advice
Sharing this policy with parents
Parents are partners in the setting and this policy is shared to help them understand my obligations regarding child protection and safeguarding. External sources of guidance are also signposted for parents and I am available in the setting to answer parent questions.
This policy and the appendices must be provided in writing and shared with parents to comply with the Childcare Register requirements. The latest version of the Ofsted parent poster must also be shared with parents.
Additional policies are also shared with parents to support my safeguarding commitment and can be read in the setting or provided by email on request.
Suitability of new recruits
The EYFS (09.2024) states that the Safeguarding Policy must include, ‘Procedures to follow to check the suitability of new recruits.’ If I employ staff, to check the suitability of new recruits I will –
Advertise the role.
Ask questions about safeguarding during the interview process.
Check the applicant has the right to work in the UK and complete identity checks on applicants.
Request 2 references from applicants following EYFS requirements.
Request the applicant applies for an Ofsted child workforce, enhanced, home-based DBS check.
Complete the Ofsted ‘Report new adults in the home’ form.
Provide new staff with an employment contract and job description.
Ask the new staff member to complete an in-house suitability declaration form.
Complete staff induction training.
Put staff through an appropriate paediatric first aid course – see EYFS Annex A.
Put staff through an appropriate safeguarding training course – see EYFS Annex C.
Wait for the Ofsted suitability letter before allowing new staff to be in unsupervised contact with children.
Ask for written parental permission for Ofsted suitable staff to be unsupervised with children for up to 2 hours a day.
Include a reminder for the staff member to ‘inform the childminder about changes to suitability’ on the daily attendance register.
Include a question about continued suitability during supervision meetings. This includes asking if the staff member is disqualified by association with someone they are living with in their household.
Ask the staff member to complete an in-house suitability declaration form annually.
Safeguarding training requirements
The requirements for safeguarding training will be updated in the EYFS (09.2025).
The EYFS states that, ‘Safeguarding policies must include detail of how safeguarding training is delivered and how practitioners are supported to put this into practice.’
The requirements state that training must be completed every 2 years.
I will access training at least every 2 years from the Local Authority where possible and online where Local Authority courses are not available. I will also update our safeguarding knowledge more regularly than every 2 years as new safeguarding threats appear and / or when DfE statutory guidance is updated.
I will ensure the course is compliant with the EYFS requirements – Annex C in the revised EYFS sets out the minimum contents of safeguarding training and additional training for the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) in the setting (the childminder).
Paediatric first aid requirements
The requirements for paediatric first aid providers will updated in the EYFS 09.2025.
The EYFS states that, ‘Childminders are responsible for identifying and selecting a competent training provider to deliver their PFA training.’
I will ensure that the paediatric first aid trainer I use works under one the following bodies which are fully regulated: a member of a Trade Body with an approval and monitoring scheme, the Voluntary Aid Societies and those who work under Ofqual Awarding organisations.
I will continue to renew my paediatric first aid qualification every 3 years as required by the EYFS.
Safer eating
The requirements for safer eating will be updated in the EYFS (09.2025).
I will write a Safer Eating Policy to share with parents, following the requirements in the EYFS and best practice guidance from the NHS and DfE.
I will ensure all paediatric first aid qualifications in the setting are kept up to date and continue the current policy of asking parents for information about their children’s dietary needs throughout their time in the setting and sitting with children when they are eating.
Toileting, nappy changing and privacy
The requirements relating to toileting and privacy will be updated in the EYFS (09.2025).
The EYFS states that, ‘Childminders must ensure that children’s privacy is considered and balanced with safeguarding and support needs when changing nappies and toileting.’
This means, for example, giving children privacy when having their nappy changed and / or using the toilet and ensuring we keep other children in the setting within sight or hearing while I am changing nappies and taking children to the toilet.
DfE suggests that, ‘In some cases, such as for lone childminders, this may mean a childminder meeting the requirement by using themself or a privacy screen to shield a child and maintain their privacy while still ensuring adequate supervision and safety for other children.’
I currently use myself as a privacy screen when changing nappies and will continue to do this.
Children’s Social care services contact details
We are required to speak to our local children’s social care services if we are concerned about a child’s absence from the setting (see Attendance Policy).
The local children’s social care services contact details are –
Daytime number – 0300 123 4043.
Out of hours number – 0300 123 4043.
If a child lives in a different Local Authority, record their details as well.
Additional safeguarding information
Further safeguarding definitions and information is available in the setting’s Safeguarding File. The policy and appendices are also used for professional development / in-house training.