Child Safety In Nursery: How Nurseries Ensure A Safe Environment

When you drop your child off at nursery, nothing matters more than knowing they’re in safe, capable hands. At Fennies, child safety isn’t just a policy, it’s a promise. With over 30 years of experience in Early Years education and a network of purpose-built nurseries across London and the South East we’ve created a high standard safeguarding culture that’s embedded in every part of our daily routine.

A Multi-Layered Approach to Safety

Safety is not left to chance. It begins at the top with our Director of Early Years, Rageena, who leads a team of Regional Managers, all of which are Early Years safeguarding specialists. Together with our Facilities and Education Teams, they oversee the development and enforcement of stringent safety policies across all nurseries. These measures are designed to cover everything from everyday routines like mealtimes and outdoor play, to rare but critical scenarios such as intruder alerts or medical emergencies.

Safer Recruitment from Day One

Our safeguarding journey begins long before a team member ever enters a nursery. Fennies follows a strict safer recruitment policy, which includes enhanced DBS checks and a thorough review of safeguarding histories. We simply do not compromise, if there are any concerns about a candidate’s suitability, they are not considered for employment.

Every new team member takes part in an intensive, in-person induction programme at our dedicated training hub in Epsom. Here, they’re introduced to the Fennies ethos of safety-first childcare. Training covers vital safeguarding protocols, health and safety policies and practical safety measures, such as how to prevent choking or safely supervise outdoor play.

First Aid Training That Goes Further

Safety training doesn’t stop at safeguarding. On the second day of their induction, all staff receive Ofsted-recognised paediatric first aid training from our certified in-house trainer. Our trainer also carries out routine visits to each nursery, assessing the team’s response skills in real-life scenarios and ensuring that first aid knowledge is retained and applied confidently.

Ongoing Training and Monitoring

After their initial training, our teams are continuously supported throughout their probationary period. They work alongside experienced room leaders and managers, gaining real-world experience and being closely observed before being offered a permanent role.

In addition, the team complete ongoing training via the Fennies Academy platform, with topics such as:

• Food hygiene and safety
• COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• Manual handling and accident prevention

Regular Safety Audits and Daily Risk Checks

To maintain our high standards, the Education Team conducts fortnightly visits to every nursery. These visits focus on:

• Child supervision during key routines (e.g. sleep time and mealtimes)
• Premises and equipment safety
• Review of individual care plans for children with medical needs

Each visit contributes to a quarterly audit, a deep dive into health, safety, and compliance. In parallel, daily risk assessments by on-site teams help identify and remove potential hazards before the day even begins.

Safe and Supervised Mealtimes

Mealtimes are one of the highest-risk moments in any nursery setting, which is why Fennies has developed robust safety protocols, including:

• A meticulous three-point food check system for dietary and allergy management
• Team seated with children during meals to ensure immediate response if needed
• Frequent spot checks by Nursery Managers and Regional Managers

Managing Emergencies and Unforeseen Events

While prevention is always the goal, being prepared for the unexpected is equally vital. At Fennies, emergency preparedness is embedded in our routine operations. This ensures that both the team and children know what to do in the rare event of a crisis.

Key emergency safety measures include:

• Intruder drills carried out regularly to train staff and children in calm, secure responses
• Fire evacuation drills performed monthly and overseen by the Head of Facilities
• Quarterly safety audits including checks of fire alarms, emergency lighting, and evacuation routes

We also bring in external consultants and collaborate with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to conduct fire risk assessments, ensuring our procedures meet and exceed legal requirements.

Our Facilities Team also checks essential safety equipment like where the nearest defibrillator is to site and ensures our first aid kits across all nurseries are in order, helping maintain a state of readiness in every setting.

Communicating Safeguarding Updates

One of the hallmarks of Fennies’ safety culture is our commitment to continuous improvement and transparent communication. We issue regular company-wide bulletins detailing:

• Updates to safeguarding and health and safety protocols
• Lessons learned from local and national incidents
• Practical reminders and policy refreshers

These bulletins are discussed during monthly staff meetings, where safety is always the first topic on the agenda. This ensures that the team remains vigilant and up to date, reinforcing a culture of shared responsibility across all nurseries.

The Fennies Commitment: Safety in Every Step

We understand that no environment is completely free from risk. But at Fennies, we go above and beyond to minimise those risks with a culture built on:

• Preventative training and planning
• Ongoing assessment and professional development
• Transparent communication and accountability

By putting child safety at the heart of everything we do, we offer parents peace of mind, knowing their little ones are nurtured in a secure, expertly managed setting.

Everyday Routines That Reinforce Safety

Beyond policies and training, it’s the small, consistent actions taken daily that create a truly safe nursery environment. At Fennies, these routines are embedded in every part of the child’s day.

From the moment children arrive, safety starts at the front door. Secure entry systems ensure only authorised individuals can access the nursery. Our team is trained to follow a strict drop-off and collection protocol, including identity checks and designated pick-up permissions.

Throughout the day, children experience consistent supervision across all settings, whether they’re in free-flow play areas, eating lunch or resting after a busy morning. Importantly:

• Room ratios are strictly followed in line with the EYFS statutory framework so there is never lone working:
  
  • 1:3 for under 2s
  • 1:4 for 2-year-olds
  • 1:8 (or 1:13 with a qualified teacher) for 3 years and up

In addition, staff break times and room transitions are coordinated to ensure coverage is never compromised.

Inclusive Care for All Children

At Fennies, we also recognise the importance of providing a safe, inclusive environment for children with additional needs. Our SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) support includes:

• Personalised care and learning plans developed in collaboration with parents and external professionals
• Regular staff training on inclusive practices and developmental adaptations
• Thoughtfully designed learning environments that are accessible and supportive

This ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive safely, no matter their needs.

Hygiene and Cleanliness as Part of Safety

Cleanliness is another cornerstone of nursery safety. At Fennies:

• Two dedicated housekeepers are present every evening to clean each nursery and then complete a thorough deep clean on a quarterly basis.
• Staff maintain hygiene protocols throughout the day, including hand washing routines, sanitising toys and surfaces and managing nappy changing with clinical precision
• We follow a comprehensive infection control policy to manage illnesses and prevent outbreaks

Our facilities are maintained to the highest standards, and we take pride in offering a safe and healthy environment for both children and team members.

Reassurance Through Parent Communication

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At Fennies, we prioritise transparent, real-time communication through the Famly parent app. From updates on nappy changes to photos of your child’s activities, parents stay connected and reassured throughout the day.

Plus, our strong parent partnerships mean families are actively involved in discussions about care plans, health updates and safety improvements, ensuring a joined-up approach to every child’s well-being.

Final Thoughts

From expertly trained staff and rigorous safety checks to daily routines and warm, trusting relationships with families, we create spaces where children are not only protected but empowered to explore, learn and grow. Because when children feel safe, they thrive.

Want to see our safety practices in action? Book a tour at your local Fennies nursery and experience the environment for yourself.