Summary of the EYFS safeguarding requirements

Nursery teacher with student

This provides a summary of the safeguarding requirements in the EYFS. It is not intended to replace the EYFS – this is a simplified summary of the various safeguarding requirements.

You must take all necessary steps to actively keep children safe and well. You should be alert to risks in children’s lives both at home and in the early years setting and work with local safeguarding partners and Ofsted.

Safeguarding policies and procedures

You must have clear, up-to-date policies covering:

  • unexplained or prolonged child absences and how these will be followed up
  • action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child
  • allegations against staff
  • use of mobile phones/cameras
  • how safeguarding training is delivered and applied
  • safer recruitment procedures

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

You must appoint a DSL. Childminders act as the DSL themselves.

Responsibilities include:

  • liaison with local children’s services
  • developing and maintaining safeguarding policies
  • supporting staff
  • managing concerns
  • creating and maintaining a strong safeguarding culture

Safer recruitment

You must ensure all adults are safe and suitable by:

  • undertaking DBS checks and vetting
  • collecting references and ensuring the information is verified
  • not leaving staff alone with children until suitability is confirmed

These are the requirements for anyone who has regular contact with children - staff, assistants, managers and household members for childminders.

DBS checks must also be completed for anyone living or working on the premises where childcare takes place, even if they do not work directly with children.

Responding to concerns

You must:

  • act immediately on safeguarding concerns
  • follow local procedures
  • refer to children’s social care where needed

All staff must:

  • be able to recognise signs of abuse and neglect
  • know how to record and report concerns with children’s safety and welfare

Whistleblowing

Settings must have a clear whistleblowing procedure so staff can:

  • have confidence in reporting unsafe or poor practice
  • escalate concerns externally if needed

Attendance and child absence

You must:

  • have an attendance policy, which is shared with parents and/or carers
  • follow up unexplained or prolonged absences of children promptly
  • track patterns of child absence
  • contact parents and emergency contacts if concerned
  • refer concerns or request welfare checks if needed

Absence is a recognised risk indicator.

Staff training and qualifications

You must ensure:

  • staff receive regular safeguarding training, including refresher training where necessary
  • training is understood and applied in practice
  • paediatric first aid requirements, as detailed in the EYFS, are met

Childminders must complete DSL safeguarding training.

Supervision of staff

You should have effective supervision practices in place that:

  • provide coaching and training for staff
  • foster a culture of mutual support, teamwork, and continuous improvement
  • encourages confidential discussions of sensitive issues such as concerns about children, families, or colleagues
  • provide opportunities to identify solutions to address issues as they arise

Health, safety, and risk management

You must:

  • maintain safe premises and equipment
  • carry out risk assessments
  • promote good health including hygiene, nutrition and oral health
  • ensure safer sleep practices
  • keep children safe at mealtimes

Behaviour and wellbeing

You must:

  • support children’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing appropriately
  • avoid harmful practices
  • promote emotional wellbeing

Records, policies, and information sharing

You must:

  • keep accurate child records
  • share information appropriately for safeguarding concerns
  • maintain required policies (attendance, safeguarding, complaints etc.)
From:
Department for Education
Published:
16 July 2026
Updated:
16 July 2026