Reflecting on the Safety of Our Nurseries
At Connect Childcare, we wholeheartedly believe that the early years sector is unlike any other. It provides not just quality care, but deep-rooted support to children and their families, giving every child the opportunity to have the best possible start in life.
The people in this sector are exceptional. Every day, they nurture, educate, support, and safeguard children. That’s why it’s so disheartening to witness the mounting challenges the sector faces – from persistent underfunding and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, to an ever-shifting policy environment that often overlooks the invaluable, holistic care delivered by nurseries, childminders, and other early years professionals.
The recent BBC Panorama programme, How Safe Are Our Nurseries?, is a stark and heartbreaking reminder of what’s at stake. It focuses on the tragic death of a nine-month-old baby in Stockport. This loss has rightly prompted national reflection and raised important questions about inspection systems, transparency, and accountability.
Safeguarding must always be paramount. Every child deserves to be safe, seen, and supported – wherever they are. The Panorama investigation makes a compelling case for strengthening inspection frameworks, improving information sharing, and ensuring all concerns – especially those raised by whistleblowers – are heard and acted upon.
We are deeply saddened by the tragedy covered in the Panorama episode – and we stand with the families calling for answers, change, and protection for others. But we also stand with the early years professionals who are tirelessly working to create safe, nurturing, and high-quality environments.
Let’s use this moment as an opportunity for reflection — and to move forward with both urgency and thoughtfulness. We’ve gathered insights and advice from respected voices across the sector to help guide the conversation and inspire positive action.
Key takeaways and positive actions
- Strengthen Inspection Systems: The safety of children must be underpinned by rigorous, fair, and responsive inspections that focus not only on paperwork but on practice.
- Enhance Transparency: Parents deserve clear, honest information about the settings they entrust with their children. Transparency builds trust.
- Support Whistleblowers: As June O’Sullivan powerfully commented on her LinkedIn post, “someone always knew.” We must create systems where those who speak up are not dismissed but supported, protected, and taken seriously. Read more here.
- Champion Staff Training: High-quality care starts with knowledgeable, confident practitioners. Let’s continue investing in training that empowers staff to meet the highest safeguarding standards.
- Create a Culture of Safety: Safeguarding shouldn’t be a tick-box exercise. It should be embedded into the ethos of every setting – a living, breathing culture of care.
- Conduct Regular Risk Assessments: These are essential to proactively identify and mitigate potential dangers in settings.
- Maintain Safe and Enriching Environments: Safety is the foundation, but children also need spaces that spark curiosity, build confidence, and support development.
- Adhere to Legislation: Compliance with safety legislation and regulatory requirements is non-negotiable and must be a priority for every provider.
We want to be part of a narrative that uplifts, challenges with nuance, and reports responsibly. We owe it to children, families, and the entire early years workforce to resist fear-based messaging and focus instead on what really matters: building a sector that is safe, respected, and fully supported.
Early Years Expert, Alison Featherbe, recently shared a powerful reflection on LinkedIn that echoes this sentiment:
“There will be much discussion and debate across the media this week. There will be many perspectives, opinions and finger pointing. But this is a time for thinking.”
Alison reminds us that we all have a part to play in keeping children safe — and that thoughtful reflection must lead to meaningful action. Her call to reassess risk and to ask the difficult questions is a vital one.
“It could happen here. Think. Re-risk assess… The hazard is adults. What are you already doing to control the risks? What further action do you need to take? You might have a ‘strategy’ – but this means nothing if you don’t take action.”
One particularly striking question Alison puts to her training attendees is:
“What sort of practitioner are you when no one is watching?” It’s a question that prompts honest self-reflection, and in a time when recruitment and retention pressures are so high, it brings us back to a simple but essential principle — would I want this person caring for my most precious bundle?
We encourage you to read the full post here.
We’re encouraged by the rise in incident reporting — not as an indication that the system is broken, but as a clear sign that more people are finding the courage to speak out, advocate for children, and push for positive change.
As Lucy Lewin of Profitable Nursery Academy so aptly puts it:
“More cases being reported doesn’t mean we’re failing. It means we’re finally facing it.
The culture of silence is starting to crack. Practitioners — especially the next generation — are no longer looking the other way. They’re speaking up, calling out poor practice, and walking away from settings that don’t align with their values.
And that? That’s exactly how we keep children safe. Not by hiding. Not by pretending we’re perfect. But by reporting. Reflecting. Rebuilding. Again and again.
This is the standard Gen Z practitioners expect — and frankly, it’s the standard all children deserve.”
Again, you can read the full post here.
The early years sector is full of passion, professionalism, and heart. Every day, dedicated practitioners go above and beyond to provide children with the care, attention, and opportunities they deserve.
Let’s continue to hold space for difficult truths — without losing sight of the thousands of individuals doing brilliant, meaningful work under incredibly challenging circumstances. Let’s raise our collective voice for better systems, safer settings, and a stronger, more sustainable future for the children in our care.
Because if we truly believe that every child deserves the best start in life, then we must do everything in our power to ensure that start is safe, nurturing, and full of promise.
If you have concerns about safeguarding or unsafe practices, you can contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line:
📞 Phone: 0800 028 0285
📧 Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
By encouraging open dialogue, protecting those who speak out, and responding to concerns with seriousness and compassion, we create stronger, safer environments for all children — and that’s something we can all stand behind.
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About the Author
Content Marketing Executive at Connect Childcare