Safeguarding and welfare within the Early years foundation stage

Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people. All organisations which employ staff or volunteers to work with children and young people have a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare. 

This includes ensuring that you adopt safe recruitment and selection procedures which prevent unsuitable persons from gaining access to children. All those involved in recruitment and selection of staff, including managers, leaders and HR professionals, should access safer recruitment and selection training.

We have developed a handy checklist to support you to implement robust safer recruitment practices to assist you with selecting and recruiting staff in a safe way it is available by request please email [email protected].

NSPCC have more information to help you set up and review your organisation’s safe recruitment processes at Safer recruitment.

Suitable people - References

Providers must obtain a reference for any member of staff (including students and volunteers) before they are recruited.

Providers should not:

• accept open references e.g. to whom it may concern
• rely on applicants to obtain their reference
• accept references from a family member

Providers should:

• ensure any references are from the applicant’s current employer, training provider or education setting and have been completed by a senior person with appropriate authority
• obtain verification of the individual’s most recent relevant period of employment where the applicant is not currently employed
• secure a reference from the relevant employer from the last time the applicant worked with children (if not currently working with children)
  • if the applicant has never worked with children, then ensure a reference is from their current employer, training provider or education setting
• ensure electronic references originate from a legitimate source
• contact referees to clarify content where information is vague or insufficient information is provided
• compare the information on the application form with that in the reference and take up any discrepancies with the applicant
• establish the reason for the applicant leaving their current or most recent post, and ensure any concerns are resolved satisfactorily before appointment is confirmed

Reference - ex employees

References should be provided for previous employees upon request in a timely manner. When asked to provide references, providers should ensure the information confirms whether they are satisfied with the applicant’s suitability to work with children, and provide the facts (not opinions) of any substantiated safeguarding concerns/allegations that meet the harm threshold.

They should not include information about concerns/allegations children which are unsubstantiated, unfounded, false, or malicious.

If the applicant has never worked with children, then ensure a reference is from their current employer, training provider or education setting. Ensure electronic references originate from a legitimate source, and contact referees to clarify content where information is vague or insufficient information is provided.

The early years employment reference template will help early years providers give references for current and former employees.

Whistleblowing in early years settings refers to the process by which staff or practitioners raise concerns about unsafe, unethical, or illegal practices that may put children at risk. It is a vital part of safeguarding, ensuring that everyone working with young children feels empowered and supported to speak up if they witness poor practice, neglect, or abuse.

Early years providers must have clear whistleblowing procedures in place, outlining how concerns can be reported confidentially and without fear of retaliation. By fostering a culture of openness and accountability, settings help protect children’s welfare and maintain high standards of care.

If a staff member feels unable to raise an issue with their employer, or feels that their genuine concerns are not being addressed, they should use the other channels open to them.

Staff can call the NSPCC whistleblowing advice line on 0800 0280285 from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm at weekends. Alternatively, email [email protected].

Staff can also write to:

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) 
Weston House 
42 Curtain Road, London 
EC2A 3NH

Effective from 1 September 2025, Safeguarding Annex C - part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework - sets out the minimum requirements for safeguarding training in early years settings across England. This update ensures that all practitioners receive appropriate training, while Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) undertake enhanced, locally informed instruction tailored to their responsibilities.

Annex C introduces a mandatory two-year renewal cycle for DSL training, helping maintain current knowledge and best practice. It also emphasises the importance of staff support, requiring settings to outline how training is delivered and how practitioners are supported in applying their learning.

Training content is clearly defined. All staff must receive foundational safeguarding instruction, while DSLs are expected to gain a deeper understanding of escalation procedures and referral pathways, alongside broader local safeguarding awareness.

This strengthened framework reinforces the sector’s commitment to child protection and ensures that safeguarding remains a central focus in early years practice.

Regular attendance in early years settings is crucial for children’s learning, development, and well-being. When children are frequently absent, they may miss out on valuable opportunities to build relationships, develop social skills, and engage in planned learning experiences.

Early years providers must monitor attendance closely, work in partnership with families to understand the reasons for absences, and offer support where needed. Providers must consider patterns and trends in a child’s absences and their personal circumstances and use their professional judgement when deciding if the child’s absence should be considered as prolonged.

Promptly addressing patterns of absence helps ensure that all children can access the full benefits of early education and that any safeguarding concerns are identified and acted upon quickly.

To ensure the safety and confidentiality of sensitive information, all child records must be transferred securely. This can be done either via a secure email system or through in-person delivery, where the receiving party signs to confirm receipt. We strongly discourage sending records by post unless necessary - for example, if a child is relocating out of county.

In such cases, records must be sent using a reputable courier service that provides proof of delivery. Settings are expected to maintain a clear record of the transfer, detailing what was transferred, when, and to whom. As part of the transition process, we also recommend holding a meeting prior to the transfer to ensure key information is communicated effectively.

Early Years providers are required to retain safeguarding records until the child reaches the age of 25. These records must be stored securely and confidentially.

The online world brings many positives and possibilities, but it’s also full of risks – and it’s constantly changing. You play an essential role in helping young children learn the foundations of safe online behaviour. Even if children don’t have access to technology within your setting, they may be using it at home, with their friends or in other public spaces. Role modelling safe use of the internet should become part of our everyday practice.

Online safety is also highlighted within the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Early Years Inspection Handbook for Ofsted-registered provision (Gov.uk).

Useful websites to support you to keep children safe online

To support early years settings, the UKCIS Education Working Group has developed two documents to help early years settings managers and staff consider their practice and to take steps to safeguard both children and adults online.

• Safeguarding children and protecting professionals in early years settings: online safety considerations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Safeguarding Children and Protecting Professionals in Early Years Settings: Online Safety Considerations for Managers will help managers of early years settings (including wrap around care for the early years age group) ensure that their online safeguarding practice is in line with statutory requirements and suggested best practice. 

It explores the current statutory guidance in the form of a checklist with key questions to help early years managers reflect and evidence their existing practice. The guidance highlights a range of resources which can be used to support early years settings to develop a whole setting approach towards online safety in line with national guidance.

Safeguarding Children and Protecting Professionals in Early Years Settings: Online Safety Guidance for Practitioners is a resource for staff working in early years settings to help them understand their role in promoting the online safety and wellbeing of children in their care, as well as enabling them to consider their own professional practice. 

The guidance highlights resources which can be used by practitioners to safeguard children, parents and themselves as professionals online. The document can be read by staff independently as part of developing their own safeguarding knowledge and understanding. It could also be used by managers as part of staff induction or to stimulate a discussion with staff regarding their settings online safety policy and procedures.

Thinkuknow is the education programme from the National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection, a UK organisation for advice about staying safe online when using a phone, tablet or computer.

The National Cyber Security Centre's advice for Early Years practitioners: using cyber security to protect your settings explains how you can protect sensitive information about your setting and the children in your care from accidental damage and online criminals.

Online safety resources are available from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to help you keep every child safe online.

You must have regard to the government’s statutory Prevent duty guidance (Gov.uk). The 2015 Counter Terrorism and Security Act places a duty on early years providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

The Action Counters Terrorism Act Early website is a useful source of information around radicalisation concerns.

It is important that you:

• make sure that you have training that gives you the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism
• challenge extremist ideas
• build children’s resilience to extremist influences
• know what to do if you have concerns about a child

If you have a concern where you think a child is at risk of extremism

The risk of vulnerable people being drawn into terrorism is still very much present within our society. Intervention plays a key part in reducing that risk at an early stage. You can make a referral into Prevent regarding someone you are worried about, please visit the Northants Police advice webpage on Prevent.

Or report a concern via the government helpline:

• Report extremism in education (Gov.uk)

You must notify Ofsted of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, any child whilst in your care, and of the action you have taken. You can refer to the guidance Childcare: reporting children’s accidents and injuries (Gov.uk) to find out what type of accident, injury or illness you must notify Ofsted of. Failure to comply with this requirement means you will be committing an offence.

You must Report a serious childcare incident (Gov.uk) by submitting an online report within 14 days.

You must also notify follow local safeguarding partners of any serious accident or injury to, or the death of, any child while in their care, and must act on any advice from those agencies.

From September 2025, new guidance on safer eating in early years settings places a strong emphasis on protecting children during mealtimes. This includes constant supervision while children eat and ensuring that a staff member with a valid paediatric first aid certificate is always present.

Food preparation must be carried out with choking prevention in mind. This means cutting round foods like grapes into quarters, slicing hard fruits and vegetables, and avoiding high-risk items such as whole nuts, whole seeds, and popcorn. Advice on early years food choking hazards.

Managing allergies and dietary needs is also critical. Providers are expected to work closely with parents to understand each child’s weaning stage, preferences, and any medical requirements. Open communication helps ensure that every child receives food that is safe, appropriate, and nourishing, for useful guidance and support refer to Help for early years providers.

Ensuring the health and safety of children during mealtimes is a vital responsibility for all early year’s providers.

Settings must gather detailed information from parents about any allergies or intolerances before a child starts and develop tailored allergy action plans. Staff involved in food handling must be trained to prevent cross-contamination during storage, preparation, and serving. Providers are also expected to understand and respect dietary requirements related to faith, such as kosher or halal, ensuring inclusive and appropriate food options. Regular discussions with parents and carers about weaning stages, feeding preferences, and dietary needs help maintain consistency and safety.

Robust hygiene policies must be in place, including thorough handwashing and regular sanitisation of food preparation areas.

Any choking incident must be documented in detail, including the location, circumstances, and response. Parents must be informed promptly.

You must put in place a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints and must keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome. You must investigate each complaint and notify the complainant of the outcome within 28 days. Record of complaints must be made available to Ofsted upon request.

You must make available to parents and or carers details of how to contact Ofsted. You can download Ofsted's role in regulating childcare: poster for parents (Gov.uk) to display in your provision.

All professionals working with children play an essential role in identifying privately fostered children. Although most children in private fostering situations are likely to be safe, in some private fostering arrangements there are clear safeguarding issues and children and young people effectively have no one who is concerned for their safety or welfare.

What is a private fostering arrangement? 

A private foster carer is someone other than a parent or a close relative who cares for a child for a period of 28 days or more, in agreement with the child's parent. It applies only to children under 16 years, or under 18 if they are disabled. A private fostering arrangement is not a when a child is Looked After by the Local Authority or placed in any residential home, hospital or school.

Who may be privately fostered? 

This indicates a sample scale and variety of situations and agencies these arrangements can cover but is not exhaustive:

• children whose parents are unable to care for them, for example if they have chronic ill health or are in prison
• children sent to this country, for education or health care, by parents who live overseas
• a child living with a friend’s family because they don’t get on with their own family
• children living with a friend’s family because of their parents’ study or work
• children staying with another family because their parents have separated or divorced
• unaccompanied asylum seeking minors who are living with friends, relatives or strangers.

What to do if you are aware of a private fostering arrangement

If you think you know a child who is being privately fostered, please contact The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) who will deal with enquiries and notifications about private fostering. This will help protect the child against abuse or neglect and provide some reassurance that the child is being looked after properly. You should ensure this is a procedure within your Safeguarding policy that is followed.

Visit the Northamptonshire Children Safeguarding Partnership to find out more information on private fostering arrangements and how to report it.