Enquire about places

Safeguarding Policy

Nursery Room Ltd is registered with Ofsted as a childminder on the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register (URN 2526286). Sevjen Ali is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Lead Safeguarding Practitioner for the setting, and holds lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework for childminders.

This page summarises our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure. A full copy is available on request.

Our approach

We work in line with the multi-agency safeguarding arrangements of the Bexley Safeguarding Partnership (Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D.) and the London Child Protection Procedures. Our policy is underpinned by the EYFS statutory framework, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), Keeping Children Safe in Education, and the Prevent duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015).

Safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date through refresher training at least every two years, in line with the EYFS framework.

Suitability of adults

No individual who is unsuitable to work with children has unsupervised access to a child in our care. Anyone regularly on the premises while children are present holds an Enhanced DBS check (including a check of the Children’s Barred List), is recruited following safer recruitment principles, holds a current paediatric first aid certificate where required, and completes safeguarding training and induction before working with children.

If we are concerned about a child

If we have any concern about a child’s welfare, we act without delay, following the Bexley Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) procedures. Concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and shared only with people who need to know, and the child’s welfare is always the paramount consideration.

Allegations against staff or anyone in the setting

Any allegation that a member of staff, a household member, or any other adult in the setting has behaved in a way that has or may have harmed a child, or may not be suitable to work with children, is reported to the Bexley Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay and within one working day. Extremely serious allegations are reported to the Police and Bexley Children’s Social Care immediately.

Whistleblowing

Anyone working in or visiting our setting who has concerns about the practice or conduct of any adult can raise those concerns without fear of retaliation — directly with the DSL, with the Bexley LADO, with Ofsted, or confidentially with the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline.

Online safety and the Prevent duty

We supervise any internet-connected devices used by children, use age-appropriate content filters, and talk with children about staying safe online in age-appropriate ways. As part of our Prevent duty, we promote fundamental British values appropriate to children’s age and stage of development, and are alert to signs that a child or family may need help or protection.

Mobile phones, cameras and CCTV

We seek written parental consent before taking any photographs of a child, and consent can be withdrawn at any time. Photographs are stored securely, used only for the agreed purpose, and never shared or published without written permission — see our Privacy Policy. Security cameras used on the premises are encrypted, held for a maximum of 7 days, and never used in toilets, nappy-changing areas, or anywhere children have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Uncollected children

If a child is not collected at the agreed time and we cannot reach a parent or emergency contact, we continue to safely care for the child, and if an hour passes with no contact, we have a duty to inform the local authority via Bexley MASH.

Lost or missing child

We undertake a written risk assessment before any outing, obtain written parental consent, agree a meeting point with the children, and maintain ratios at all times. If a child ever went missing, we would search immediately, alert venue staff, call the Police, and contact parents — and would notify Ofsted within 14 days as required.

Useful contacts

  • Bexley Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 020 3045 5440 (out of hours: 020 8303 7777)
  • Bexley Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): [email protected]
  • Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D. Safeguarding Partnership: 020 3045 4320 · [email protected]
  • Ofsted: 0300 123 1231 (safeguarding concerns) · [email protected]
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 · Whistleblowing helpline: 0800 028 0285
  • Childline (for children): 0800 1111
  • Police: 999 in an emergency; 101 for non-emergency

Policy reviewed May 2026, next review due May 2027. For a full copy of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure, please contact us.