Online Safety

Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School. We recognise that technology can provide valuable opportunities for learning, communication, creativity and connection, but it can also present risks. We have appropriate security, filtering and monitoring arrangements in place to help protect children from harmful, inappropriate or unsuitable content and from other online risks.  Children do not access technology independently during their time at nursery.

Any online safety concerns or incidents involving children, staff or the use of technology within the setting are recorded and managed in accordance with the Nursery's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Online Safety Policy and relevant procedures.

We work with staff, governors, children and parents/carers to develop a culture in which technology is used safely, responsibly and positively. Children are supported to develop age-appropriate understanding of how to use digital technology safely, how to recognise when something does not feel right and how to seek help from a trusted adult.

Online safety is part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities. Staff remain alert to risks including inappropriate or harmful content, contact with unknown people, online bullying, unsafe sharing of information or images, inappropriate use of apps or games, excessive screen use and risks associated with internet-connected devices.

Working with Parents and Carers

Children may have access to a range of internet-connected devices at home, including tablets, phones, smart TVs, games consoles and other connected devices. Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop safe and healthy digital habits.

We can only be successful in keeping children safe online when the messages children receive at home and at nursery are consistent. Parents and carers are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about what they do online, use age-appropriate parental controls and create clear and consistent boundaries around technology and screen use.

Parents and carers should encourage children to:

• tell a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried, frightened, confused or uncomfortable;
• ask for help if they see something they do not understand;
• understand that not everyone they meet online is known to them in real life;
• keep personal information private;
• use age-appropriate apps, games and websites;
• take regular breaks from screens and enjoy a range of offline activities;
• treat others kindly and respectfully when using technology.

Parents and carers should be aware that parental controls and filtering are helpful safeguards but are not a complete solution. They should be used alongside supervision, age-appropriate conversations and clear family expectations. Filters are not always completely effective, so children need to know that they can talk to a trusted adult if they encounter something upsetting or inappropriate.

We recognise that banning technology completely is not a realistic approach. Children benefit from developing the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Regular, relaxed conversations about children's online experiences can help them feel confident to ask for help when something worries them.

Support for Parents and Carers

Talk to your child about online safety

Make online safety part of everyday conversations. Ask your child what they enjoy doing on a tablet, computer or other device and talk about what they should do if something makes them feel worried or uncomfortable. Reassure children that they can always come to a trusted adult for help.

Use parental controls and safety settings

Use parental controls on your home broadband, devices, apps and games where appropriate. Review these settings regularly as your child's age, needs and use of technology change. Remember that parental controls should support, rather than replace, conversations and supervision.

Keep devices in shared areas where appropriate

Where possible, younger children should use internet-connected devices where an adult can provide appropriate supervision and support.

Keep personal information private

Teach children that personal information, passwords, photographs and other private information should not be shared without an adult's permission.

Choose age-appropriate content

Check that websites, apps, games, videos and other digital content are suitable for your child's age and stage of development. Be aware that children can sometimes be exposed to unsuitable material through links, recommendations, advertisements or other users.

Encourage a healthy balance

Technology should be part of a balanced range of activities. Encourage children to enjoy outdoor play, physical activity, books, imaginative play, social interaction and other offline experiences alongside appropriate use of digital technology.

Support children with SEND

Some children with SEND may require additional support to understand and manage online risks. Families should consider their child's individual communication, developmental and sensory needs when introducing technology and establishing online safety routines. Appropriate visual supports, modelling, repetition and adult guidance may be helpful. The NSPCC provides specific online safety guidance for families of children with SEND.

Online Games and Apps

Games and apps can provide opportunities for enjoyment, creativity, learning and social interaction, but they can also present risks. Parents and carers are encouraged to check age ratings, privacy settings, chat functions, in-app purchases and parental controls.

The PEGI (Pan European Game Information) age-rating system can help parents and carers understand the recommended age suitability of games. However, an age rating should be considered alongside the individual child's age, development, needs and ability to understand the content and risks.

Parents and carers should also be aware that some games and apps allow children to communicate with other users. Children should be supported to understand that they should not communicate with, or share personal information with, people they do not know in real life without appropriate adult supervision.

Useful Online Safety Support

Parents and carers can access current online safety advice from:

• NSPCC – Online Safety: guidance on talking to children, parental controls, games, apps, social media and online wellbeing.
• UK Safer Internet Centre: practical advice and resources for parents and carers on devices, games, parental controls and online safety.
• Ofcom – Online Safety: information about the protections and safety standards applying to online services in the UK.

Parents and carers should speak to a member of staff if they have concerns about something their child has experienced online. Any safeguarding concern will be dealt with in accordance with Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Useful Online Safety Websites for Parents and Carers

There are many sources of advice available to help parents and carers keep children safe when using technology and the internet. The following organisations provide trusted, practical and up-to-date information:

• NSPCC – Online Safety – advice about parental controls, apps, gaming, inappropriate content and talking to children about online safety.
• Childnet – practical advice and resources, including guidance specifically for keeping under-fives safe online.
• Internet Matters – step-by-step advice about devices, parental controls, apps, gaming and managing children's online activity.
• Thinkuknow – online safety advice from the National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team.
• UK Safer Internet Centre – advice about a wide range of online safety issues, including gaming, screen time, social media, parental controls and reporting harmful content.
• Parent Zone – information and advice to help families understand and manage children's digital lives.
• Internet Watch Foundation – information and support for reporting online child sexual abuse material.
• Report Harmful Content – advice about reporting harmful content encountered online.

Parents and carers are encouraged to talk regularly with their child about what they are doing online and to seek support if they are worried about something their child has seen, heard or experienced.

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child, please speak to a member of staff at Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.