INSPECTIONS 

Safeguarding Inspection Checklist for Nurseries & Early Years

Early Years Safeguarding Checklist
Preparing Your School for Inspections

Introduction

Safeguarding in early years settings goes beyond simply meeting requirements, it’s about creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive. Nurseries and early years providers throughout the UK are required to be inspected at least once every 6 years by inspectorates such as Ofsted, the Care Inspectorate or other bodies.

Demonstrating and evidencing effective safeguarding measures that are aligned with national standards and guidance, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCISE), is a critical factor in passing an inspection. This tailored checklist is designed specifically for nurseries and early years provisions, ensuring no detail is overlooked when it comes demonstrating your safeguarding preparedness.

What’s in the Guide

Absence and Safeguarding Policies
Essential checks to help maintain policies that address critical factors like child absences, staff-to-child ratios, hygiene and safe eating practices.

Staff Training and Awareness
Important factors to consider to ensure your staff are fully certified and trained to identify risks like neglect, abuse, or grooming.

Effective Reporting and Monitoring
Evaluate your safeguarding recording and monitoring processes to remain confident that your evidence gathering and record-keeping are all up to standard.

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“We have found CPOMS invaluable in providing a chronology of our records, allowing all DSPs to have access to the latest information about pupils and enabling us to pass on records securely to new schools.  Using CPOMS has saved us time and has ensured safeguarding systems are robust.  During a recent Safeguarding audit and an Ofsted inspection, inspectors were very happy with our record keeping systems.”
Melissa Peacock
Headteacher, Hillshott Infant School and Nursery