Health and safety is a key part of providing safe, high-quality care in Early Years settings. Practitioners have an important role in identifying hazards, managing risks, following procedures, and helping to create environments where children can learn, play, and develop safely.
This CPD-accredited course on Health and Safety in Early Years is designed specifically for Early Years practitioners, nursery staff, managers, and childminders working across the UK, including Scotland. It provides the knowledge, confidence, and practical awareness needed to understand health and safety responsibilities, recognise common risks, and respond appropriately to accidents, incidents, and emergencies.
Learners will explore key areas including roles and responsibilities, hazard identification, risk assessment, high-risk activities, accident reporting, and emergency procedures. The course includes interactive activities, scenario-based learning, reflection tasks, downloadable resources, and knowledge checks to help practitioners apply their learning to real Early Years practice.
Practitioners will also develop confidence in using risk assessments, recognising when control measures are needed, reporting concerns, and promoting a positive health and safety culture. The course supports safe, consistent, and reflective practice aligned with Early Years expectations, Care Inspectorate guidance, Ofsted requirements, and UK health and safety principles.
Why This Course Matters
Risk assessment is an essential part of creating safe, supportive, and stimulating Early Years environments.
Children learn through play, exploration, movement, and challenge. Every day, practitioners make decisions that help keep children safe while supporting opportunities for learning, independence, and development.
Effective risk assessment is not about removing all risk from children’s experiences. Instead, it is about identifying hazards, understanding potential risks, and taking sensible steps to create environments where children can play, learn, and explore safely.
By understanding how to carry out risk assessments effectively, practitioners can help prevent accidents, respond confidently to changing situations, support safer indoor and outdoor environments, and balance safety with children’s need for challenge and exploration.
This practical course has been designed specifically for Early Years settings and focuses on real nursery practice rather than generic health and safety theory.
Whether you are new to risk assessment or looking to refresh your knowledge, this course will help you build confidence in creating safer environments that support children’s wellbeing, learning, and development.
What You Will Learn
By completing this course, you will:
- Understand the difference between hazards and risks in Early Years settings
- Recognise why risk assessments are important and how they support children’s safety and wellbeing
- Learn how to carry out effective risk assessments using a simple step-by-step approach
- Identify common indoor and outdoor hazards found within nurseries and childcare environments
- Develop confidence in using dynamic risk assessment during everyday practice
- Understand how to balance safety with children’s play, exploration, and development
- Explore the difference between risky play and dangerous play
- Learn how to respond to accidents, incidents, and near misses appropriately
- Understand when risk assessments should be reviewed and updated
- Develop practical skills to help create safer, child-centred learning environments
Throughout the course, you’ll explore realistic Early Years scenarios, interactive activities, and practical examples that can be applied directly within your own setting.
Designed for Early Years Professionals
This course has been designed specifically for professionals working with children and families in Early Years settings across England and Scotland.
It is suitable for:
✔ Early Years Practitioners
✔ Nursery Staff
✔ Childminders
✔ Room Leaders and Senior Practitioners
✔ Nursery Managers and Deputy Managers
✔ Support Workers and Teaching Assistants
✔ Students and Trainees in Early Years
✔ Anyone responsible for communicating and working in partnership with parents and carers.
Whether you are new to Early Years or have many years of experience, this course provides practical guidance to help strengthen your communication skills, build positive relationships with families, and manage challenging situations professionally and confidently.
The course is particularly valuable for practitioners who want to improve their confidence when discussing sensitive issues, responding to concerns, and maintaining positive, child-centred partnerships that support the best outcomes for children.
Interactive and Practical Learning
This course has been designed to be practical, engaging, and directly relevant to everyday Early Years practice.
Rather than focusing on theory alone, you’ll explore realistic situations that practitioners may encounter when communicating and working with parents and carers.
Throughout the course, you will take part in:
✔ Short, easy-to-follow lesson videos
✔ Interactive activities that reinforce key learning points
✔ Real-life communication scenarios based on everyday Early Years practice
✔ Reflection activities to help you evaluate and develop your own communication skills
✔ Practical exercises exploring difficult conversations, complaints, and professional boundaries
✔ Knowledge checks throughout the course to build confidence and understanding
✔ A final assessment to demonstrate your learning and unlock your certificate
The activities have been designed to help you apply your learning immediately within your own setting, giving you practical strategies and increased confidence when communicating with families and building positive, professional partnerships.
Accreditation and CPD
This course is accredited by The CPD Group and is worth 1 CPD point.
Successful completion of the course demonstrates your commitment to maintaining and developing your professional knowledge and skills within Early Years practice.
The course includes:
✔ Professionally produced lesson videos
✔ Interactive learning activities
✔ Real-life Early Years scenarios
✔ Knowledge checks throughout the course
✔ Downloadable resources and guidance materials
✔ A final assessment
Upon successful completion, you will receive a CPD-accredited certificate which can be:
- Downloaded or printed at any time
- Added to your CPD portfolio
- Used as evidence of staff training and professional development
- Included as part of inspection evidence for Ofsted or the Care Inspectorate
- Used to demonstrate ongoing learning and reflective practice
By completing this course, you will gain practical skills and recognised CPD that support positive partnership working, professional communication, and high-quality Early Years practice.
Protect Children. Protect Yourself. Protect Your Setting.
Effective risk assessment is an essential part of protecting children while supporting their learning, development, and wellbeing.
Enrol today and strengthen your knowledge, practical skills, and professional confidence in identifying hazards, assessing risks, and creating safer environments within Early Years settings.
Develop the skills needed to carry out effective risk assessments, respond confidently to changing situations, balance safety with play and exploration, and support positive outcomes for children through safer, child-centred practice.
