ME MONTESSORI NURSERY AND PRESCHOOL
SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Organisation: ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School
Address: Bedgrove Community Centre, Bedgrove Park, Ambleside, Aylesbury, HP21 9TT
Telephone: 07873 403672
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.memontessorinurseryandpreschool.com

Approved by: Francesco Antonazzo, Director
Date: May 2026
Review Date: May 2027

EYFS 2025 (September 2025 revision) — Updated May 2026

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  1. POLICY STATEMENT

At ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School, the safeguarding and welfare of every child in our care is our highest priority. We believe that all children have the right to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment, free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This is a fundamental principle of our Montessori philosophy, which places the whole child at the centre of everything we do.

We are committed to:
– Protecting children from maltreatment and harm in all its forms
– Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
– Ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
– Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

  1. SCOPE

This policy applies to:
– All employees (permanent, part-time, temporary, and bank staff)
– Volunteers and students on placement
– Contractors and visitors
– The Nursery Director and management team
– The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL(s)

  1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy is grounded in the following legislation and statutory guidance:
– Children Act 1989
– Children Act 2004
– Childcare Act 2006 (as amended 2018)
– Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
– Children and Social Work Act 2017
– Education Act 2002 (Section 175)
– Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
– Domestic Abuse Act 2021
– Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
– Human Rights Act 1998
– Equality Act 2010

Statutory Guidance:
– Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) — HM Government
– EYFS Statutory Framework (September 2025)
– Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) [read for best practice]
– What to Do if You’re Worried a Child Is Being Abused (2015)
– Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (Ofsted 2021)
– Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales (2023)
– The Buckinghamshire Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (BSCB)
– Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners (HM Government 2024)

  1. DEFINITIONS

4.1 Safeguarding
The broader, proactive approach to promoting children’s welfare, preventing harm, and ensuring children develop in safe and supportive environments. Under Working Together 2023, safeguarding includes:
– Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
– Preventing impairment of health or development
– Ensuring children receive safe and effective care
– Taking action to ensure the best outcomes

4.2 Child Protection
The reactive element of safeguarding — the specific processes followed when a child is suspected to be suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.

4.3 Categories of Abuse
The four main categories of abuse recognised in Working Together 2023 are:
– Physical Abuse: hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm.
– Emotional Abuse: persistent emotional maltreatment that causes severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development.
– Sexual Abuse: forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
– Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

  1. THE DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (DSL)

5.1 Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is: The Nursery Manager (name to be updated on appointment)
Our Deputy DSL is: The Senior Room Leader

5.2 The DSL is responsible for:
– Overseeing this policy and ensuring it is implemented
– Being the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns
– Liaising with Buckinghamshire Children’s Social Care and other agencies
– Making referrals to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) when appropriate
– Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training
– Maintaining accurate and secure records of all safeguarding concerns
– Attending and contributing to LSCB/BSCP training and updates
– Ensuring this policy is reviewed annually (or when significant changes occur)

5.3 All staff must report any safeguarding concern to the DSL immediately. If the DSL is unavailable, concerns are reported to the Deputy DSL. If both are unavailable and there is immediate risk, staff must contact Buckinghamshire Children’s Social Care directly.

Buckinghamshire Children’s Social Care — MASH: 0800 999 7677 (24 hours)
Police: 999 (emergency) / 101 (non-emergency)
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Ofsted Allegations Management: 0300 123 1231

  1. RECOGNISING SIGNS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT

All staff are trained to recognise indicators that a child may be suffering from abuse or neglect. These may include, but are not limited to:

Physical indicators:
– Unexplained injuries or bruising, particularly in unusual locations
– Burns, scalds, or bite marks
– Injuries inconsistent with the child’s developmental stage or the explanation given
– Frequent injuries or repeated attendance with injuries

Behavioural indicators:
– Sudden changes in behaviour or development
– Fear of certain people, places, or activities
– Sexualised behaviour or language inappropriate to the child’s age
– Regression to earlier behaviours (thumb-sucking, bedwetting)
– Withdrawal, low self-esteem, or excessive clinginess
– Appearing hungry, unwashed, or poorly clothed for the weather

  1. PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING CONCERNS

7.1 Staff Concerns
Any member of staff who has a concern about a child’s welfare must:
1. Record observations immediately — date, time, exact words used by the child, or description of physical indicators. Use factual, objective language. Do not promise confidentiality.
2. Report to the DSL on the same day — verbally, followed by written record within 24 hours.
3. Not investigate themselves — staff must not ask leading questions or attempt to gather more information from the child.
4. Complete a Welfare Concern Record (see Forms & Templates folder).

7.2 Child Making a Disclosure
If a child makes a disclosure to a staff member:
– Listen calmly and carefully; do not express shock or disbelief
– Reassure the child: “You’ve done the right thing telling me”
– Do not promise to keep secrets
– Use open, non-leading questions only: “Tell me more about that”
– Do not ask ‘why’ questions
– Report immediately to the DSL
– Record using the child’s exact words as soon as possible

7.3 DSL Decision-Making
The DSL will:
– Assess the level of risk and urgency
– Determine whether the concern meets the threshold for a MASH referral
– Consult with Buckinghamshire MASH if uncertain about the threshold
– Refer to Children’s Social Care when a child is at risk of significant harm
– Record the decision and rationale in all cases

7.4 Referral to Buckinghamshire MASH
When a referral is required, the DSL will:
– Contact MASH by telephone: 0800 999 7677
– Follow up with a written referral within 24 hours (using the BSCB Referral Form)
– Inform parents/carers unless doing so would place the child at increased risk

7.5 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as amended by Serious Crime Act 2015), staff have a mandatory duty to report to the police if they discover that FGM has been carried out on a girl under 18. This is a professional duty and does not require parental consent.

7.6 Prevent Duty
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, ME Montessori has a duty to prevent children from being drawn into terrorism. Staff are trained to recognise signs of radicalisation and to refer concerns through Channel (the multi-agency early intervention process). Referrals are made via the DSL to the local Channel panel.

  1. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

If an allegation is made against any member of staff (including the DSL or management):
1. The concern is reported to the nursery Director (or DSL if the concern is not about management)
2. The Director must contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day
3. The LADO will advise on the appropriate course of action
4. The member of staff may be suspended pending investigation (not a presumption of guilt)
5. Confidentiality will be maintained as far as possible
6. Ofsted must be notified of any allegation where there is evidence of harm

LADO Contact: Buckinghamshire LADO — 01296 382070
Ofsted: 0300 123 1231

  1. SAFER RECRUITMENT

ME Montessori is committed to safe recruitment practices including:
– Enhanced DBS check (with barred list check) for all staff before starting
– Two references verified before appointment
– Full employment history and explanation of any gaps
– Identity verification with original documents
– Qualifications verification
– Ongoing suitability checks — staff must disclose any changes to their circumstances
– Single central record (SCR) maintained and updated

[EYFS 2025 — Mandatory DBS Referral Clause]
In accordance with EYFS 2025 requirements, where a member of staff is dismissed or removed from their role due to harm or risk of harm to a child, the nursery will make a mandatory referral to the DBS Barred List. This referral is a legal duty and will be made regardless of whether a criminal investigation is underway.

  1. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

  2. All staff: safeguarding awareness training as part of induction; refreshed every 3 years minimum (Prevent training annually)

  3. DSL: Level 3 safeguarding training updated every 2 years
  4. Deputy DSL: Level 3 safeguarding training updated every 2 years
  5. New staff: safeguarding training before unsupervised contact with children
  6. Annual team briefings on safeguarding updates and changes to guidance

[EYFS 2025 — Training Delivery Clause]
Safeguarding training is delivered via a LADO-approved provider. All staff complete training within their induction period, before working unsupervised with children of joining and refresher training every year for all staff, with the DSL and Deputy DSL completing Level 3 safeguarding training every two years thereafter. Training completion dates are recorded in individual staff files and reviewed at each supervision.

  1. INFORMATION SHARING

Sharing information to protect a child’s safety or welfare is not a breach of GDPR. The key principles for information sharing (HM Government 2024):
– Necessary and proportionate to the purpose
– Relevant to the specific concern
– Accurate and up to date
– Shared with appropriate agencies
– Recorded

When in doubt, the DSL will seek advice from Buckinghamshire MASH before sharing. The child’s best interests will always take priority over data protection concerns.

  1. CONFIDENTIALITY

All safeguarding information is handled with strict confidentiality. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis and is stored securely. Records are retained for 25 years (to protect children who may not report abuse until adulthood) and are stored separately from general personnel records.

  1. WORKING WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES

We recognise that the vast majority of parents and carers act in the best interests of their children. We:
– Share this policy with all parents on enrolment and make it available on request
– Work transparently with families wherever possible
– Inform parents of any concerns unless doing so would place the child at risk
– Involve families in support plans where appropriate

[EYFS 2025 — Emergency Contacts Requirement]
In line with EYFS 2025 guidance, the nursery requires a minimum of three emergency contacts per child. At least one emergency contact must be reachable during each session. Parents are required to ensure all contact details remain current and to notify the nursery immediately of any changes.

  1. ONLINE SAFETY AND E-SAFETY

ME Montessori recognises that online abuse and exploitation is a growing safeguarding concern. Our approach includes:
– Staff training on online safety and the risks of technology
– No personal mobile phones used around children (see Mobile Phone Policy)
– Images of children only captured on nursery devices and only with written parental consent
– Social media policy strictly enforced
– Children’s online activity (where applicable) monitored

  1. WHISTLEBLOWING

Any staff member who has concerns about a colleague’s behaviour towards children should raise concerns through the Whistleblowing Policy. If they feel unable to raise concerns internally, they can contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285, or report directly to Ofsted or the LADO.

  1. LINKED POLICIES

This policy should be read alongside:
– Prevent Duty Policy
– Online Safety and Acceptable Use Policy
– Safer Recruitment Policy
– Confidentiality and Information Sharing Policy
– Mobile Phone and Social Media Policy
– SEND and Inclusion Policy
– Behaviour Management Policy
– Staff Code of Conduct
– Whistleblowing Policy

  1. MONITORING AND REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed:
– Annually as a minimum
– When significant changes occur in legislation or statutory guidance
– Following any significant safeguarding incident
– As recommended by Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP)

  1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All staff are required to read this policy on induction and annually thereafter, and to sign an acknowledgement form confirming they have understood their responsibilities.

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Signed: _____ Date: _______
Name: Francesco Antonazzo
Role: Director, ME Montessori Nursery and Pre-School

Review Date: May 2027

Signed: Kellie Antonazzo, Manager