At Forest Village Kindergarten, the welfare, protection, and safety of every child is our highest priority. We take safeguarding extremely seriously and have a clear, robust policy to prevent the misuse of mobile phones, smart devices, and cameras. This policy aims to protect children from the inappropriate capture or sharing of images and to ensure that staff remain fully focused and engaged during working hours.
Parents and Visitors
- Parents and visitors are not permitted to use mobile phones while on nursery premises.
- All visitors must leave personal devices in their bag or pocket and are accompanied at all times by a staff member.
- Parents taking calls upon arrival or pick-up will be politely asked to end the call or step outside.
Cameras and Capturing Images
Use of Nursery Devices
Only the designated nursery device may be used to take photographs or videos of children.
- This device must:
- Be stored securely in a lockable cabinet or office when not in use.
- Only be used for legitimate educational or developmental purposes.
- Be checked and cleared weekly by the designated safeguarding lead or manager.
Storing and Sharing Images
- Images taken on nursery devices must never place a child in a compromising or inappropriate position.
- Images are downloaded to the office computer and accessible only to verified staff members.
- Under no circumstances should staff use personal devices to capture or store images of children.
Consent and Data Protection
- Written parental consent is obtained upon registration regarding:
- Use of their child’s image for observation, records, or displays.
- Sharing images in the Family and Friends group and within internal nursery communications.
- No child will be included in digital records or publications without signed consent.
- This policy complies with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 standards.
Outings and Off-Site Visits
- For all group outings, a nursery mobile phone is taken by the designated staff member for emergency use only.
- Personal phones must remain stored and unused.
- The nursery phone must only be used for:
- Contacting the nursery
- Emergency contact with emergency services
- Keeping in contact with parents if a planned delay occurs
Staff Vigilance and Reporting
All staff have a duty to remain vigilant and immediately report any concerns or breaches of this policy to the Nursery Manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Please refer to our Whistleblowing Policy for further guidance.
Staff members reserve the right to refuse parents/carers entry into the kindergarten if they remain on their phone or are frequently seen on the premises using their phone in the presence of children or staff members.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are updates to safeguarding legislation, EYFS guidance, or best practice recommendations.
Policy Reviewed By Stacey Dawes – Deputy Manager 11/11/25
Parent Declaration
I have read and understood the terms set above and confirm my understanding of the above policy. I understand that any breach of this policy by myself or any others with me may result in my being refused entry onto the Kindergarten premises.
PARENT NAME: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
SIGNATURE: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
DATE: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..