Author: Shannon Pite

Online safety

Educator sat with girl on the floor of an early years setting, sharing a digital tablet

From birth, children are immersed in a world rich with digital media. The range of technology they encounter is wide and ever-expanding – from smart home appliances and voice-activated assistants to internet-connected toys, televisions, audio devices, and tablets.

Responding to emergencies

Little girl stacking colourful wooden building blocks above her head

These guidelines help you plan how to ensure the safety of children, parents, and staff during a local threat or emergency that may require a security-related lockdown.

Enabling environments

Little girl with pigtails smiling, holding onto ropes in a climbing frame

An enabling environment is a rich and varied space where risk benefit is prioritised and risks are minimised and well managed, and children are protected from harm and abuse.

Information sharing and data protection

Little girl in a pink top with white spots sat a table with pencils and paper in from of her considering what to draw

All early years staff must know the circumstances under which they may share personal data with other agencies about individuals.

It is important that we do not let concerns about sharing information stand in the way of protecting children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.

Policies and procedures

Baby lying on front on bed with his fingers on the pages of a board book

Ofsted and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) require all early years providers to have policies and procedures in place to safeguard their children.

Involving families in children’s learning

Toddler in a blue shirt sat on his dad's lap reading a book

Working in partnership with families is central to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Consulting them about children’s early experiences helps educators plan for effective learning at the setting and helps them support parents in continuing their children’s learning development at home.

Equality and inclusive practice

Two toddlers sat side by side on the grass

Early years settings are great places for young children to begin learning about each other’s differences and similarities.

Safeguarding

Little boy sleeping on his side cuddling a teddy bear under a blue blanket

At the Alliance, we strongly support policy and procedures that protect the health and happiness of children and invest in their futures.

If you work in the early years sector, it is important you comply to safeguarding measures to ensure the wellbeing of all the children at your setting.

Ofsted

Two young children sat outside writing on paper with a range of coloured pencils

The Office for Standards in Education, Childcare Services and Skills (Ofsted) is the government department that regulates and inspects different types of childcare and early education provision in England to make sure that the quality of care and education meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The Early Years Foundation Stage

Little boy in yellow t-shirt climbing through a toy tunnel

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for promoting the learning, development and safety of children from birth to five years in Ofsted registered settings.

There are two versions of the EYFS: one for group- and school-based settings, and one for childminding professionals.

Covid-19

Image of a Covid-19 test

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention.