It is an important question to ask. Entrusting someone else with your child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It’s completely natural to want reassurance.
The good news is that the vast majority of early years settings work incredibly hard to keep children safe every day. Safeguarding isn’t just about responding when something goes wrong, it’s about creating the kind of environment where children are protected, listened to and able to thrive.
So what should parents be looking for?
Safe recruitment and DBS checks
Robust recruiting procedures will ensure that any potential team members are suitable to work with small children. They will have had a full Disclosure and Barring Service check and appropriate (and verified) references obtained before they start work. They will receive safeguarding on day one of their induction and everyone on the team should know what they need to do if they see anything that concerns them inside or outside of preschool.
Safeguarding training that never stops
There is so much more to safeguarding training than just an annual certificate. Strong safeguarding cultures will be built upon reflective practice and regular and open discussion of scenarios, indicators and what ifs, through supervision, coaching and team meetings.
Children who are truly known
Children are safest when they are genuinely known by the adults caring for them. A setting which places great emphasis on building secure relationships, will ensure educators understand each child’s routines, personality, communication and wellbeing and can therefore recognise when something isn’t quite right, whether that’s a change in behaviour, mood, or health.
What does good safeguarding look like?
Families should be able to see safeguarding in the little things. For example clear procedures for intimate care, toileting, or sleep and educators who:
- interact warmly with children
- supervise carefully
- communicate professionally
- know children well enough to notice when something has changed
- work together calmly.
Concerns are welcomed
In a safe organisation, people feel able to speak up and know that they will be listened to.
Families should always feel comfortable asking questions.
Team members should always feel comfortable raising concerns.
Professional curiosity
Educators won’t be judging you, but they will want to know where your child got that bruise or scrape from, or why they seem particularly tired today.
These conversations help build a complete picture of your child’s wellbeing and ensure there can be appropriate response if ever there was anything to give cause for concern.
Continuous improvement
Safeguarding is not a ‘one-and-done’. Safe settings continually review practice, learn from developments across the sector and look for ways to strengthen what they do.
Listening to children
Safeguarding isn’t only about what adults see. It’s also about listening carefully to children.
Strong early years settings create environments where children feel safe, valued and able to communicate their needs in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. When children know they will be listened to, they are more likely to seek help when they need it.
Ultimately, safeguarding isn’t just about preventing harm. It’s about creating an environment where children feel safe enough to explore, learn, build relationships and thrive, because children learn best when they feel safe, known and connected.
If you ever have a question about how we keep children safe at Play B C, we’d always rather you asked than wondered.
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Play B C offers term-time or 48-week places, combining relationship-led early education with a play-rich, nurturing environment designed around real family life.
About the author
Marsha Dann is the founder of Play B C Preschool, a former primary school teacher with an MA in Education. She has worked with children and families for over 20 years and is passionate about helping children get the best possible start in life.
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