Safeguarding
The safety and wellbeing of children is important to us all. If you are concerned about any child talk to any member of staff or call our Family Support Team on 0121 777 2722
Policy status: This policy should be read alongside the setting’s Mobile Phone and Technology Policy, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Data Protection Policy, and SEND procedures. Where requirements differ, the stricter safeguarding control applies.
Purpose and scope
This policy sets out how tablets and the television (TV) may be used with children aged 2–5. It applies to all employees, agency staff, students, volunteers and visitors who use or supervise these devices. Its purpose is to ensure that screen use is limited, intentional, safe and inclusive, and that it supports rather than replaces play, movement, sleep, conversation, creativity, outdoor learning and responsive adult interaction.
The setting follows the current Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. From 1 September 2026, providers must have regard to government guidance on children’s screen use in early years settings. In accordance with that guidance, the setting takes a precautionary approach: screen use for children aged 2–5 should be limited to no more than one hour across the whole day, and less where possible. As children may also use screens at home, use in the nursery will be kept well below that maximum and will occur only where it adds clear educational, developmental, communication or wellbeing value.
Core principles and limits
- Screens are not a default activity, reward, behaviour-management tool, background entertainment or substitute for staffing and interaction.
- Use must be planned, brief, purposeful and linked to an identified learning, developmental, communication or wellbeing aim.
- Children will not use a screen alone. A practitioner will actively supervise and co-engage by talking, asking questions and connecting the content to real-world play.
- Short sessions are expected, normally no more than 10–15 minutes at a time. The person leading the session will record or otherwise monitor use so that a child’s cumulative nursery screen time remains well below one hour in a day.
- Meals and snacks are screen-free. Screens will not be used as part of sleep or rest routines.
- Children will be offered meaningful non-screen choices and will never be compelled to take part.
- Screen use must not displace daily physical activity, outdoor play, books, imaginative play, sensory exploration or sustained adult-child conversation.
Permitted use of devices
Tablets
Only setting-owned, authorised tablets may be used with children. Permitted uses include a brief adult-led learning activity, viewing a pre-approved photograph or short clip to extend current learning, supervised creative work, and approved assistive technology. Children must remain within sight and hearing of a practitioner. Tablets must be held or positioned safely and returned to secure storage after use.
Children must not independently browse, search, message, make calls, use social media, access AI tools or chatbots, make in-app purchases, change settings, or take photographs, video or audio unless this is an authorised learning activity and the setting’s consent, image-use and data-protection requirements have been met.
Television
The TV may be used only for planned, adult-led viewing of pre-selected, age-appropriate content with a clear purpose, such as a short story, song with movement, language activity or material that supports a current topic. Autoplay must be switched off. Live television, rolling news, advertising-led content, personal streaming accounts and open video-sharing platforms must not be used. The TV must be turned off when the planned content ends and must not remain on in the background.
Content, access and safe operation
A designated manager will approve apps, websites, programmes and downloaded media before use. Content must be:
- age-appropriate, inclusive, slow-paced and free from violent, frightening, sexualised, discriminatory or commercial material;
- relevant to the planned learning or developmental purpose;
- free from advertising, inappropriate links, chat, location sharing and unnecessary data collection; and
- used in accordance with licensing, copyright, privacy and accessibility requirements.
Where internet access is necessary, only secure setting networks and approved accounts may be used. Filtering, parental controls, privacy settings, passwords and software updates must be enabled and checked regularly. Staff must preview content in full and must not rely on platform age labels alone. Devices must be positioned to support good posture, safe viewing distance and shared use, with volume kept at a safe level. Damaged, overheating or otherwise unsafe equipment must be withdrawn immediately.
Safeguarding, privacy and professional conduct
The rules in the Mobile Phone and Technology Policy apply fully. Personal phones, tablets, accounts, storage, hotspots and accessories must not be used to provide screen activities for children or to capture, store or share children’s information. Only authorised setting equipment may be used, and only for approved purposes.
Images, recordings and personal information will be created, accessed, stored, retained and deleted only where necessary, lawful and authorised, with required parental consent. Children’s full names or identifying information will not be entered into apps unless specifically approved. Devices must be locked when unattended and stored securely. Staff must not download content or connect removable media without approval.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has lead responsibility for online-safety concerns. Any accidental exposure to unsuitable content, unauthorised image or recording, data loss, suspicious contact, device misuse or other concern must be stopped where safe, reported immediately to the DSL and manager, recorded, and managed under safeguarding, data-breach and incident procedures. Staff must not delete potential evidence or investigate beyond their role.
SEND and individual needs
Screen-based assistive technology used for a child with SEND is not subject to the same time limit where it is necessary for communication, access, wellbeing or participation. Its use will be based on the child’s assessed needs and agreed plan, with parents or carers and relevant professionals involved. Staff will still use the least restrictive, safest and most purposeful option and review its effectiveness regularly.
Roles and responsibilities
Manager/DSL: ensure this policy aligns with safeguarding and the Mobile Phone and Technology Policy; approve devices and content; maintain filtering and security; train staff; review incidents and patterns of use; and communicate the policy to families.
Practitioners: plan and preview each use; supervise and co-engage; keep sessions brief; monitor cumulative use; model healthy device habits; follow consent and data rules; and report concerns immediately.
Parents and carers: will be informed about why, when and how screens are used. The setting will encourage consistent healthy habits at home, including the government’s overall limit of up to one hour daily for children aged 2–5, less where possible, and avoiding screens at mealtimes and in the hour before bed.
Parent partnership and support at home: The setting will work in partnership with parents and carers through regular, respectful two-way communication about their child’s screen use, interests and needs. Families will be offered practical, non-judgemental guidance to support healthy habits at home, including choosing age-appropriate content, watching and talking together, using device controls and safe settings, agreeing consistent boundaries, balancing screens with active play, books and conversation, and keeping mealtimes and the hour before bedtime screen-free. Staff will recognise that family circumstances differ and will agree proportionate, individual support where needed, including for children who use assistive technology or communication apps.
Policy created: By Nursery Manager, Sept 2026
Review Date: Sept 2027
