Creating a Safe Learning Environment With Early Years Risk Assessments
Early years educators wear many hats—teacher, nurturer, problem solver, and sometimes even a superhero in the eyes of the children. But above all, educators have a fundamental responsibility: keeping children safe and secure while they grow and develop.
Ensuring a safe environment isn’t just about rules and regulations—it’s about creating a space where children feel free to explore, parents feel confident leaving them in our care, and staff feel equipped to handle any situation. That’s where risk assessments come in.
Why are risk assessments so important?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets out clear safeguarding and welfare requirements for all early years providers. This includes taking necessary steps to keep children safe, ensuring staff suitability, promoting good health, and maintaining policies and procedures.
At its core, a risk assessment is about identifying potential hazards and putting sensible measures in place to prevent harm. But it’s also about balance, as children need opportunities to take appropriate risks in a safe and supported way, helping them develop confidence, independence, and resilience.
Risk assessments from experience
In my previous role as an early years educator, my setting had an open door policy, which meant that from 9am until 6pm, children had unlimited access to outdoor provision. It was brilliant for the children, their learning and their autonomy, allowing them to explore and enjoy nature all day long if they chose to. But it also meant that each morning, either I or one of my colleagues would do a thorough outdoor check before the fun began.
We’d be on the lookout for anything that might pose a risk, such as things like uneven surfaces or trip hazards. We checked for slippery or muddy patches, loose gravel or sand, and unstable surfaces. Drainage issues, overhanging branches, or even signs of animal or insect nests were all things we had to consider. We’d also keep an eye out for toxic plants, nettles, thorny bushes, and signs of erosion or flooding.
Playground equipment always got a once-over too—we’d check for stability, wear and tear, and anything sharp. And of course, we considered weather conditions. Was it too icy? Was the area protected from harsh sun, wind, or rain? We even made sure it was clear of any neighbourhood animals (and any mess they might have left behind!). It was a daily ritual, but one that made a huge difference in keeping everyone safe.
Even though an outdoor check was completed each morning, myself and other early years educators would still need to use our professional judgement throughout the day, especially if equipment became damaged or the weather changed. Each risk assessment is different and considers a range of factors such as the hazard itself, who is at risk, the level of risk, the control measures in place, the date those measures were last checked, and the final risk rating. Although every assessment is unique, one thing remains constant: it’s down to educators to stay alert and use their professional judgement in any situation, even when a risk assessment has already been completed.
What does a risk assessment cover?
Every nursery or early years setting will have different needs, but risk assessments typically cover areas such as:
- Building security: keeping entrances and exits secure and ensuring parents and staff follow safety protocols.
- Fire safety: regular fire drills, clear evacuation procedures, and fire prevention measures.
- Food hygiene: safe preparation, storage, and handling of food, as well as managing allergies.
- Outdoor play and outings: making sure play areas are safe, appropriate for play and properly supervised.
- Personal safety: staff wellbeing, safe manual handling, and procedures for administering medicine.
- Emergency planning: preparing for unexpected situations, such as severe weather, accidents, or public health concerns.
Risk assessments aren’t just a box-ticking exercise, they should be practical and regularly reviewed. Staff should feel empowered to make on-the-spot decisions, using their training and instincts to ensure safety while allowing children to engage in new and enriching experiences.
Involving everyone in safety
Creating a culture of safety is a team effort. While staff play a leading role in implementing risk assessments, parents and even children have a part to play too. Encouraging parents to follow security procedures, report potential hazards, and even take part in reviews can strengthen a setting’s safety measures. Likewise, children can be supported in understanding risks in an age-appropriate way, like learning to navigate new challenges with guidance, rather than fear.
The balance between safety and exploration
A well-managed early years setting is not about completely eliminating risk. Children learn through exploration, trial, and even the occasional tumble! Instead, it’s about taking reasonable precautions, ensuring that any risks are carefully managed, and creating an environment where children can safely test their limits.
By implementing effective risk assessment practices into everyday routines, we create a setting where children can learn and explore, parents have peace of mind, and staff feel supported in their roles.
Next Webinar: Supporting SEND and Wellbeing in Early Years Education
Share this article
About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare