As a childminder you're the Designated Safeguarding Lead for your setting, so your safeguarding policy describes what you personally will do. If you're only on the Early Years Register it doesn't have to be written down, but you must be able to explain it, and writing it down is the easiest way to be sure you can.
What the policy should cover
Your role. That you're the DSL, that your training is current, and which local safeguarding partnership's procedures you follow. Safeguarding training is renewed every two years.
Recognising concerns. The kinds of abuse and neglect you watch for, including risks such as exploitation and radicalisation.
What you do when you're worried. Write down what you saw or heard, with the date and time, in the child's words where you can. Decide whether to talk to the parents first, unless that could put the child at greater risk. Report to children's social care, and call 999 if a child is in immediate danger.
Allegations. Since September 2026 you report allegations of harm (previously serious harm) against anyone living, working or looking after children at your premises to Ofsted or your agency, as well as to the local authority designated officer.
The rest. The Prevent duty, DBS referrals, phones and cameras, visitors, children who don't arrive, records and confidentiality, and when you review the policy.
How it looks in your contract
From a GoChildmind contract
If I am worried about a child. I write down what I have seen or heard, with the date and time, in the child's own words where possible. I may talk to the parents first, unless doing so could put the child at greater risk. I report concerns to children's social care. If a child is in immediate danger, I call 999.
Allegations. Any allegation against me, my assistants, or anyone living or working in my home is reported to the local authority designated officer and to Ofsted as soon as possible, and within 14 days at the latest.
Put your own details in, freeRead the full sample contract
GoChildmind fills in your name as DSL and your local safeguarding partnership, and puts the full policy in an appendix to every contract.
Telling parents
Parents should know, before anything happens, that you may contact children's social care without telling them first if that's safer for the child. Put it in the contract as well as the policy. It makes a difficult moment much easier if you ever need to point to it.
Questions people ask
Do childminders need a written safeguarding policy? If you're on the Childcare Register, yes. If you're only on the Early Years Register, you must have one and be able to explain it, but it doesn't have to be in writing.
How often should I review it? At least once a year, and whenever the EYFS, your local procedures or your circumstances change.