Early years safeguarding training
Supporting PSED & Safeguarding Conversations in the Early Years
Helping nursery practitioners introduce safeguarding themes in ways that are gentle, age-appropriate and supportive of young children’s emotional development.
This interactive training session supports Early Years practitioners to confidently introduce safeguarding conversations through storytelling, puppetry and everyday interactions. By linking safeguarding themes with Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), practitioners gain practical tools to help children understand feelings, recognise trusted adults and know that they can speak up if something does not feel right.
Session length: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: Nursery practitioners, managers and safeguarding leads
Helping nursery practitioners introduce safeguarding themes in ways that are gentle, age-appropriate and supportive of young children’s emotional development.
This interactive training session supports Early Years practitioners to confidently introduce safeguarding conversations through storytelling, puppetry and everyday interactions. By linking safeguarding themes with Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), practitioners gain practical tools to help children understand feelings, recognise trusted adults and know that they can speak up if something does not feel right.
Session length: 60–90 minutes
Suitable for: Nursery practitioners, managers and safeguarding leads
What the Training Covers
During this session, practitioners explore how safeguarding conversations can be introduced naturally within the Early Years environment.
Key areas include:
- Supporting children to recognise and talk about feelings and emotions
- Helping children understand personal boundaries and body autonomy
- Exploring the difference between secrets and surprises
- Encouraging children to use their “brave voice” when something does not feel right
- Helping children identify trusted adults who can help
- Reinforcing safeguarding messages through circle time, play and everyday routine
During this session, practitioners explore how safeguarding conversations can be introduced naturally within the Early Years environment.
Key areas include:
- Supporting children to recognise and talk about feelings and emotions
- Helping children understand personal boundaries and body autonomy
- Exploring the difference between secrets and surprises
- Encouraging children to use their “brave voice” when something does not feel right
- Helping children identify trusted adults who can help
- Reinforcing safeguarding messages through circle time, play and everyday routine
What Practitioners Will Learn
By the end of the session, staff will be able to:
- Explain the difference between “secrets” and “surprises” in a way young children understand
- Use non-leading, reassuring language when discussing worries with children
- Understand how puppets and storytelling can support communication and emotional expression
- Recognise the importance of cultural sensitivity in safeguarding conversations
- Respond appropriately if a child shares a worry, in line with safeguarding procedures
- Reinforce safeguarding messages through everyday nursery practice
By the end of the session, staff will be able to:
- Explain the difference between “secrets” and “surprises” in a way young children understand
- Use non-leading, reassuring language when discussing worries with children
- Understand how puppets and storytelling can support communication and emotional expression
- Recognise the importance of cultural sensitivity in safeguarding conversations
- Respond appropriately if a child shares a worry, in line with safeguarding procedures
- Reinforce safeguarding messages through everyday nursery practice
Why This Training Matters
Recent safeguarding concerns within Early Years settings have highlighted the importance of helping children feel safe to communicate with trusted adults.
For very young children, these conversations must be introduced carefully and in ways that are developmentally appropriate. This training supports nursery teams to approach safeguarding themes in a calm, child-centred way, helping children build confidence to talk about their feelings and seek help when needed.
Through storytelling, puppetry and guided discussion, practitioners gain practical strategies that support both PSED development and safeguarding awareness within everyday nursery routines.
Recent safeguarding concerns within Early Years settings have highlighted the importance of helping children feel safe to communicate with trusted adults.
For very young children, these conversations must be introduced carefully and in ways that are developmentally appropriate. This training supports nursery teams to approach safeguarding themes in a calm, child-centred way, helping children build confidence to talk about their feelings and seek help when needed.
Through storytelling, puppetry and guided discussion, practitioners gain practical strategies that support both PSED development and safeguarding awareness within everyday nursery routines.
A Practical, Interactive Session
The training includes a recorded puppet demonstration featuring Benji and Lulu, followed by a live demonstration showing how puppets can be used to support safeguarding conversations with young children.
Practitioners also have the opportunity to reflect on real-life scenarios and discuss how safeguarding themes can be embedded across their nursery setting.
The training includes a recorded puppet demonstration featuring Benji and Lulu, followed by a live demonstration showing how puppets can be used to support safeguarding conversations with young children.
Practitioners also have the opportunity to reflect on real-life scenarios and discuss how safeguarding themes can be embedded across their nursery setting.
Trusted by Early Years practitioners.
What nursery leaders are saying...
“The training was fantastic and both sessions were thoroughly enjoyed by the staff and managers.”
— Nursery Director, Hertfordshire
Booking a Session
This training is suitable for:
– Nursery practitioners
– Early Years educators
– Nursery managers and safeguarding leads
If you would like to book a session for your setting or find out more, please contact us here.