Safeguarding at Wildflowers Montessori

At Wildflowers Montessori Nursery, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Every child has the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm and to be cared for in an environment where they feel safe, secure, listened to and respected.

Our safeguarding arrangements are embedded throughout our practice and reflect the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Our Safeguarding Responsibilities

Wildflowers Montessori Nursery follows relevant legislation, statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures, including:

• the Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children

• the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework

• the procedures and guidance of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP)

• safeguarding guidance issued by Oxfordshire County Council

We maintain a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which sets out the procedures that staff must follow if they have a concern about the welfare or safety of a child.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads

Wildflowers Montessori has a team of trained Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs):

Natalie Clow – Nursery Manager & DSL
Kristen Halstead – Director & DSL
Jodie Palfrey – Deputy Manager & DSL
Megan Spindlow – Room Leader & DSL

Our DSLs oversee safeguarding and child protection within the nursery, support staff in recognising and responding to concerns, ensure appropriate records are maintained and liaise with external safeguarding agencies where required.

Appropriate safeguarding arrangements are maintained whenever the nursery is operating so that concerns can be acted upon promptly.

Staff Training and Safer Recruitment

All staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role, including safeguarding as part of their induction. Safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date through ongoing training, professional development, supervision and regular safeguarding updates.

Staff are expected to understand the signs and indicators that may suggest a child is at risk of harm and know how to respond to, record and report concerns promptly.

We follow safer recruitment procedures and undertake appropriate suitability and vetting checks for people working with children, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where required.

Responding to Concerns About a Child

Any concern about a child's welfare or safety is taken seriously.

Staff must report safeguarding concerns promptly to a DSL. Concerns are recorded appropriately and securely and action is taken in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Oxfordshire safeguarding procedures.

Where there is an immediate safeguarding or child protection concern, we will contact Oxfordshire Children's Social Care/Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and make a referral where appropriate.

If a child is in immediate danger, the emergency services will be contacted.

We will normally work openly and in partnership with parents and carers. However, information may be shared with Children's Social Care, the police or other relevant safeguarding agencies without parental consent where this is necessary to safeguard a child or where seeking consent could place a child at increased risk.

Early Help

We recognise the importance of identifying emerging needs and supporting children and families as early as possible.

Where a child or family may benefit from additional support, we will work collaboratively with parents, carers and relevant professionals and follow Oxfordshire's Early Help processes and local threshold guidance.

Concerns About an Adult Working With Children

Any allegation or concern relating to the conduct of a member of staff, volunteer or another adult working with children will be taken seriously and managed in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Where appropriate, we will seek advice from or make a referral to the Oxfordshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and notify Ofsted where required.

All staff have a responsibility to raise concerns about the conduct or behaviour of adults working with children. We promote an open safeguarding culture in which concerns can be raised and responded to appropriately.

Working in Partnership

Effective safeguarding relies upon partnership working.

We work with parents and carers and, where appropriate, with Oxfordshire Children's Social Care, MASH, the LADO, health professionals, the police, Ofsted and other relevant agencies.

Information is shared appropriately and proportionately where necessary to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child.

Raising a Safeguarding Concern

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us promptly if they have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child.

You can speak to any member of our Designated Safeguarding Lead team or contact:

Wildflowers Montessori Nursery
manager@wildflowersmontessori.co.uk

For an immediate safeguarding concern, Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) can be contacted on:

01865 519 800

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Wildflowers Montessori Nursery is committed to maintaining a vigilant safeguarding culture in which the safety, welfare and best interests of every child remain at the centre of our practice.