Safeguarding
At the University of Bradford Nursery, nothing is more important than children’s welfare.
Safeguarding our children, families and staff is key to having a safe and happy environment.
:The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the Nursery is Rochelle Smith (Nursery Manager). Our Deputy DSLs are Emma Marwood (Assistant Manager for Operations) and Claire Nicholls (Assistant Manager for Early Years Teaching). To provide an additional layer of safeguarding support, all Nursery Room Leaders are also trained as DSLs and can act as backup leads in the absence of the main or deputy DSLs. All DSLs have completed full and relevant safeguarding training through Bradford Council.
We have more information available on the University safeguarding webpages.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are trained thoroughly within this area having regular refresher training, and discussions within team and staff meetings.
There are many legislation documents to support the safeguarding of young children, including:
- Working together to safeguard children (2023)
- Children Act 1989
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
- Information Sharing Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services for children, young people, parents and carers (May 2024)
- What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused; Advice for Practitioners 2015 (PDF)
Early help
We have 3 Lead Practitioners who support families who may be in need of Early Help. These are Rochelle Smith, Emma Marwood and Claire Nicholls. The Lead Practitioner is the named professional, identified as the person who will be the family’s main point of contact while they need a coordinated Early Help package of support.
During termly parental consultations, within newsletters and via email communications, we send out regular reminders regarding Early Help, and encourage parents and carers to come and speak with us at any time if they feel they may benefit from some form of Early Help.
‘Lots of families might need support at some point in their busy lives. It could be that you’re worried about your child’s health, development, or behaviour, or perhaps because you are caring for a disabled child. Your child may be struggling to go to school or you may be struggling to send your child to school. Maybe your child is affected by family relationships, drugs or alcohol or you are experiencing personal distress or anxiety, financial or housing problems. By getting help from the right services at the right time, and as early in a child’s life as possible, we can help to prevent or reduce potential problems for children as they grow up.’
Early Help; Information Leaflet for Parents and Carers (PDF)
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
Ofsted Report, August 2025
First Aid
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines, which childcare settings in England are required to follow, currently states:
“ At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid (PFA) certificate must be on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings. “
At The University of Bradford Nursery, we pride ourselves on training 100% of our staff team in Paediatric First Aid.
We believe this gives our families reassurance that all childcare practitioners know what to do in a paediatric first-aid situation.
We also ensure that everything learned during the course is kept alive and at the forefront of practitioners’ minds so that they are confident, ready, and capable through regular staff quizzes, discussions, and refresher training.
We have a total of 10 first aid kits, 7 of these are large and 3 small which are situated around the Nursery and within close proximity to all areas.
The Nursery has successfully achieved its Millie’s Mark Accreditation in 2023. This special endorsement is given to childcare providers who go far above and beyond the national standard when it comes to paediatric first aid.