Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met, and when they have positive relationships with the adults caring for them.

All staff are trained to be aware that children may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their day-to-day lives. These threats can take a variety of different forms, including: sexual, physical and emotional abuse; neglect; exploitation by criminal gangs and organised crime groups; trafficking; online abuse; sexual exploitation and the influences of extremism leading to radicalisation. Whatever the form of abuse or neglect, practitioners will put the needs of children first when determining what action to take. This child centred approach is fundamental to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child. A child centred approach means keeping the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families. We recognise that we have a duty to safeguard and protect children from abuse or harm as defined in the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004, the Equality Act 2010 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

If any staff member has concerns about a child’s welfare a referral to local authority children’s social care will be made and should be done immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so.

As well as threats to the welfare of children from within their families, children may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation from outside their families. These extra-familial threats might arise at school and other educational establishments, from within peer groups, or more widely from within the wider community and/or online. These threats can take a variety of different forms and children can be vulnerable to multiple threats, including: exploitation by criminal gangs and organised crime groups such as county lines; trafficking, online abuse; sexual exploitation and the influences of extremism leading to radicalisation. Extremist groups make use of the internet to radicalise and recruit and to promote extremist materials. Any potential harmful effects to individuals identified as vulnerable to extremist ideologies or being drawn into terrorism should also be considered. If this is suspected staff will make a referral to Channel which was established under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. they will assess the extent to which identified individuals are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, and, where appropriate, arrange for support to be provided.

Hyde Preschool works to safeguard children by ensuring that:
-All staff have been DBS checked to ensure they are safe to work with children. They then apply to be on the update service for yearly checks.
-All staff have had safeguarding training. The safeguarding leads have advanced training and attend termly safeguarding briefings.
-All staff have read and are aware of the policies and procedures with regards to safeguarding children.
-Doors to the building are kept locked at all times except for the fire door which is opened with a push bar. All outside gates are locked with padlocks and the large gate has a chain and padlock. -Should someone want to enter the building, they must show identification and sign our visitor book.
-For pickups, no child is allowed to leave with someone if they have not been put on to the child’s registration form. Parents must notify the staff if someone other than themselves are picking up their child.
-We have a strict no mobile phone policy to be used in the setting and a strict no camera policy. This ensures that children remain safe at all times.
-Confidentially is used at all times. We are signed up to ICO and follow GDPR. Information about a child will not be shared with anyone unless we need to, or we have the parent’s permission. There may be times where we need to share information to outside agencies without the permission of parents. This will mainly be the case should there be any safeguarding concerns that involve the parents and put the child in direct harm.
-We ensure that the staff to child ratios are correct for every session and that no child is ever left unattended.
-Volunteers or students are never left alone with a child and a member of staff must be with them at all times.
-The setting is checked daily to ensure that all equipment is safe for the children to use and that the rooms and kitchen is cleaned ready to use. Food is checked to ensure it is safe to eat and well in date. Children with allergies have a health care plan and an allergy list is inside the kitchen cupboard so that all staff are aware and ensure the children are not exposed to those allergens. all staff have undertaken online allergy training.

We will work in partnership with Hampshire Children Safeguarding Partnership and Hampshire Children Services with any safeguarding concerns.