safeguarding

At Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. The safety, wellbeing and protection of every child is our highest priority.

We are committed to creating a safe, secure and nurturing environment where children feel protected, valued and able to thrive. Our staff team are highly trained and vigilant, with a clear understanding of their responsibility to safeguard all children in our care.

We follow the guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education and the EYFS statutory framework, ensuring robust procedures are in place across both Sir James Knott Nursery School and the Nest.

How we keep children safe

• Highly trained staff – All staff receive regular safeguarding training, including child protection, Prevent duty and online safety 
• Clear procedures – We have effective systems for reporting and responding to concerns, ensuring swift and appropriate action 
• Safer recruitment – All staff and volunteers undergo thorough pre-employment checks 
• Secure environments – Our sites are carefully designed and monitored to ensure children are safe at all times 
• Strong partnerships – We work closely with families and external professionals to support children’s wellbeing 
• Child-centred approach – Children are listened to, respected and supported to feel safe and confident 

A Culture of Safeguarding

Safeguarding is embedded in our daily practice, our curriculum and our relationships. We teach children about keeping themselves safe, building their confidence, independence and understanding of the world around them in an age-appropriate way.

We promote a culture where:

• Children feel safe, secure and heard 
• Families feel supported and informed 
• Staff feel confident to act and challenge when needed

Operation Encompass

Sir James Knott Nursery School is part of Operation Encompass, a national initiative which supports children who may have been exposed to domestic abuse.

Through this partnership, we receive timely information from the police about incidents where a child has been present at, or affected by, domestic abuse. This enables us to provide immediate, sensitive and appropriate support for the child when they come into school.

All information is handled in strict confidence, and our trained safeguarding team ensures that support is provided in a way that prioritises the child’s wellbeing, safety and emotional needs.

Working Together

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are proud of the strong relationships we build with our families and the wider community, ensuring that children receive the right support, at the right time.

If you have any safeguarding concerns, our Designated Safeguarding Leads are always available to listen and support.