Safeguarding for Childminders

This course introduces the safeguarding responsibilities of childminders and their assistants. It explains how to recognise, respond to, record, report and refer concerns while keeping the child at the centre of every decision.

Introduces the course outcomes and explains how to navigate, pause and return to the training. It also highlights accessibility tools including read aloud, browser zoom and translation.

Summarises the September 2026 EYFS amendments that affect childminders. Topics include safer sleep, suitable people checks, Ofsted or agency notifications, screen use and safety on outings.

Explains safeguarding, child protection, significant harm and the factors that can increase a child’s vulnerability. It also covers childminder responsibilities such as maintaining policies and recruiting assistants safely.

Explores how policies, risk assessments, safer working practice and appropriate professional boundaries help prevent harm. It also considers assistants, household or setting risks, complaints and allegations.

Explains the main categories and indicators of abuse and neglect, together with exploitation and other specific safeguarding risks. Learners consider how context, behaviour and mental health concerns may signal that a child needs help.

Shows how children may communicate abuse and the barriers that can prevent a disclosure. It explains how to listen calmly, respond appropriately and avoid promising confidentiality.

Covers accurate recording, information sharing, body maps and the duty to report concerns. Childminders also consider allegations against themselves or assistants, low-level concerns and relevant notification routes.

Explains how to make a safeguarding referral and what may happen once it is accepted. It introduces strategy discussions, child protection conferences, plans and support for children and families.

Introduces content, contact, conduct and commerce risks online. It covers grooming, cyberbullying, intimate-image sharing, cybercrime, AI risks and the EYFS guidance on children’s screen use.

Explains the duty to protect children from being drawn into extremism. Learners consider the Prevent strategy and possible indicators that a child or family member may be at risk of radicalisation.

Uses realistic childminding scenarios to apply the principles of recognising, responding, reporting and recording concerns. The activities help learners distinguish poor practice from potential abuse.

The assessment contains 12 questions selected at random from the question bank, with an 80% pass mark. Learners can retake it and receive their personalised certificate by email after passing.

Provides practical resources to retain after the course, including a body map template. It also signposts safeguarding guidance and inspection information for each UK nation.

A short evaluation gives learners the opportunity to comment on the training. Feedback is used to review and improve future course content.