How to Tell If a Nursery Is Truly Safe: A Parent's Checklist
- Mar 1
- 7 min read
It’s really important that you visit your chosen childcare setting to get a feel for the place. You get to see what the vibe is like. You’ll want to know if it feels welcoming to you and your baby.
But the truth is, most of us don't instinctively know how to tell if a nursery is safe.
This blog is here to help.
Use it as a clear, parent-friendly nursery safety checklist that focuses on practical things you can see, ask about, and notice.
Whether you're comparing nurseries in Balham, Tooting, Streatham, Norbury or anywhere else in the UK, you'll finish this blog post knowing exactly how to judge whether a nursery is genuinely safe.
At Lucky Beans Childcare, our nurseries across South West London are built around a safe, home-from-home ethos. That means creating spaces where children are not just physically protected but also emotionally secure too.
What Does 'Safe' Actually Mean in a Nursery?
Before we dive into questions about safety in nurseries, let's be clear: nursery safety goes far beyond locked doors.
When looking at how to tell if a nursery is safe, we look at 3 types of safety:
Physical safety – secure premises, well-maintained equipment, and a hazard-free environment where children can explore without risk.
Safeguarding – robust policies and trained staff who know how to protect children from harm, recognise concerns and respond appropriately and quickly.
Emotional safety – a nurturing environment where children feel secure, valued and comforted. Where they have trusted adults who know them well and respond to their needs with warmth and consistency.
The good news is, you don't need to be an expert to assess any of this.
You need to know what to look for and which questions to ask about nursery safety.
At Lucky Beans Childcare, we not only meet all the required UK standards within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for nursery safety and safeguarding, but we go beyond them to create genuinely nurturing, secure environments where children thrive.
Let’s take a look at how to tell if a nursery is safe and what questions you should ask about safety.
Premises & Security
Your first impression matters. As soon as you arrive at a nursery, you can learn a lot just by observing the environment.
Questions to Ask:
Is the outside door locked with controlled entry (buzzers/entry codes/fobs)?
Are all visitors required to sign in and have their ID checked before being allowed in?
Where are cleaning products, medicines and sharp objects stored? (Make sure these are out of children's reach.)
Are gates locked and regularly checked? What times of the day are these locked/unlocked? Who is in charge of doing so?
Things to Notice:
Are children safely supervised at all times, never left alone in rooms?
Does the environment look calm and organised, not chaotic?
Are floors, furniture and toys in good condition with no obvious hazards?
Are safety gates fitted where needed (stairs, kitchens)?
Are electrical socket covers in place?
Is the garden or outdoor area securely fenced?
Are the outdoor equipment age-appropriate, stable and well-maintained?
At Lucky Beans Childcare:
All our settings are secured with safety measures in place to protect our children and staff. Each setting has its individual coloured tabard, making it easy for parents and children to identify who is who.
We ensure all our equipment and areas are regularly checked for broken or unsafe items, and that any replacements are made when necessary.
Staff, Ratios & Vetting
The people caring for your child matter just as much as the building they're in. Here's how to assess whether staff are qualified and stable.
Questions to Ask:
What are your adult-to-child ratios for each age group? (In the UK, ratios are regulated: 1:3 for under-twos, 1:5 for two-year-olds, 1:8 for three to five-year-olds [Daynurseries.co.uk])
Are all staff DBS-checked? How often are these checks renewed or updated?
What paediatric first aid training does your team have? Is there always a qualified first aider on site?
How long have most staff worked here? Is there a lot of staff turnover?
Things to Notice:
Do staff warmly greet the children by name?
Are they kneeling at children's level, talking kindly and clearly?
Do they seem rushed and stressed, or calm and attentive?
Do you see genuine warmth and connection between staff and children?
At Lucky Beans:
All our staff are carefully vetted and DBS-checked. We invest heavily in safeguarding and paediatric first aid training, and we're proud of our experienced teams.
Each child has a 'key worker' - a consistent adult who builds a secure relationship with them and their family.
We work hard to retain our staff, have in-house training, and maintain a family-like atmosphere that people want to stay in.
Safeguarding Policies & Everyday Procedures
Safeguarding in nurseries is about how a nursery protects children and responds when something goes wrong.
Questions to Ask:
How do you make sure only authorised adults can collect my child? (Look for: passwords, photo ID checks, written permissions)
What happens if a child has an accident? How is it recorded, and how are parents informed?
How do you manage medication, allergies and medical conditions?
What is your policy if you have a concern about a child's welfare?
How are staff trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns?
Things to Notice:
Clear, confident answers in simple language (not buried in jargon).
Written policies are available for parents to read, either at the setting or online.
A named safeguarding lead whom staff and parents can speak to.
A culture where staff feel confident speaking up about concerns.
At Lucky Beans:
We have clear safeguarding procedures and all our staff receive regular safeguarding training. We believe in transparent communication with parents. If there's an accident, incident or concern, we'll tell you promptly and clearly.
Our safeguarding leads are experienced and approachable, and we make sure parents know how to raise concerns if they have them.
Health, Hygiene & Illness
Day-to-day health practices are crucial to safety and safeguarding in nurseries. They might not be as dramatic as locked gates, but they matter enormously.
Questions to Ask:
Where do you change the babies and children who are in nappies? How is this procedure managed and regulated?
How often are toys, sleep mats and high-contact surfaces cleaned?
What are your policies on illness and exclusion periods (e.g. how long after sickness must children stay at home?)
How do you manage food safety and allergies? (Look for: separate utensils, clearly labelled meals, allergen charts displayed.)
Things to Notice:
Is the nursery visibly clean and well-maintained?
Where are the changing facilities for babies and children?
Can children easily access the toilets and wash & dry their hands correctly? Are they encouraged to do so independently, with support?
Where do the babies/children eat their snacks and lunch/dinner, and where do they access their drinks?
At Lucky Beans:
We maintain high standards of hygiene across all our settings, with clear routines for handwashing, nappy changing and cleaning.
We have clear illness policies to protect all children, which are available on request. Allergies are taken very seriously; we track them carefully and ensure all staff are informed. In addition, all our menus are labelled with any food allergies/intolerance.
Emotional Safety
Here's something many parents don't think about - a child can be physically safe but still not feel safe. Emotional safety is just as important as locks and gates.
Questions to Ask:
How do you support new children during settling-in?
How do you comfort children who are upset or overwhelmed?
How do you handle behaviour, big feelings and conflict between children?
How do you make sure quieter or shyer children aren't overlooked?
Things to Notice:
Are children generally relaxed, engaged and curious?
Do staff respond quickly and kindly to tears or conflict?
Is there a sense of warmth and attunement, not just control?
Do you see evidence of close relationships between staff and children?
At Lucky Beans:
Our home-from-home ethos means we prioritise emotional safety alongside physical safety. Through our key person approach, children build secure attachments with their carers.
Our curriculum, which includes forest school elements, puts personal, social and emotional development at the heart of what we do.
We want children to feel known, valued and confident every day.
Red Flags – Signs a Nursery Might Not Be Truly Safe
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Here are some red flags that should make you think twice:
Visitors are allowed to walk in without being checked or challenged.
Staff who seem unhappy, impatient or who ignore children.
Ratios that look off (one adult trying to manage too many small children/babies).
Unsafe environment: broken toys, trip hazards, open gates, and cleaning products within reach.
Vague, dismissive or defensive answers when you ask about safeguarding, accidents or complaints.
No clear key person system, or poor communication about who will be responsible for your child.
Reluctance to let you visit more than once or see children during routine times.
If you don't feel heard, respected or reassured – it's completely okay to keep looking.
At Lucky Beans:
We welcome questions.
We encourage parents to visit more than once if they wish.
We're transparent about our policies and procedures because we're confident in what we do.
Your concerns and questions are never a burden; they're a sign you care, and we respect that.
Ready to See Safety in Action?
Your child's safety is the most important factor when choosing a nursery.
You are completely entitled to understand how to tell if a nursery is safe. Ask detailed questions, look closely at how a nursery operates and take your time making this decision.
A truly safe, high-quality nursery will welcome your questions and answer them openly. They'll want you to feel confident and reassured.
At Lucky Beans Childcare, our nurseries in Balham, Tooting, Streatham and Norbury are designed to be safe, nurturing, home-from-home environments where children are protected, known and loved. We don't just meet safety standards, we work every day to create spaces where children feel genuinely secure, and families feel genuinely supported.
We'd love to show you how we do it.
Book a tour at your nearest Lucky Beans nursery in Balham, Tooting, Streatham or Norbury. See firsthand how we keep children protected, cared for and confident every day.
Because when it comes to your child's safety, you deserve to feel completely certain you've made the right choice.
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