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Care, nurseries and childminders
Day nurseries in England must carry appropriate insurance, such as public liability, for all the premises they use, under the EYFS statutory framework. Most also need employers’ liability, abuse cover and property and closure cover, because one incident can shut a setting.
Part of: Care home insurance
In short
A day nursery on non-domestic premises in England must register with Ofsted, and the EYFS framework for group and school-based providers says providers must carry appropriate insurance, such as public liability, to cover all premises from which they provide childcare. In practice a nursery package usually combines public and employers’ liability, abuse cover, cover for first aid and medicines, buildings or tenant’s improvements, contents, and business interruption. Ofsted must be told of serious accidents, injuries and allegations within 14 days, and your insurer needs its own notice.
Under section 34 of the Childcare Act 2006, a person may not provide early years provision on non-domestic premises in England unless they are registered, and doing so without reasonable excuse is an offence. Ofsted’s guidance on its registers says the Early Years Register is for providers caring for children from birth to 31 August after their fifth birthday, with the Childcare Register for older children.
The EYFS framework for group and school-based providers, in force from 1 September 2026, says at paragraph 3.90: “Providers must carry the appropriate insurance (e.g. public liability insurance) to cover all premises from which they provide childcare.” If you run more than one site, or use a hall or forest school site part of the week, each needs to be on the policy.
The current frameworks are published on GOV.UK. This page covers England.
| Cover | What it is for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Public liability | Injury to children, parents and visitors, and damage to their property. | All premises, outings and activities are included. |
| Employers’ liability | Claims from staff. Usually compulsory, with a £5 million minimum under the 1998 Regulations. | Apprentices, students and volunteers are declared. |
| Abuse | Allegations of abuse against staff. | The limit, aggregate basis and whether it is claims-made. |
| First aid and medicines | Claims arising from first aid or giving medicines. | Whether these are covered or excluded as treatment. |
| Buildings or tenant’s improvements | Damage to premises you own, or fit-out you paid for in leased premises. | Your lease: who insures the building and for what. |
| Contents and equipment | Furniture, toys, IT, kitchen equipment and outdoor play equipment. | Theft from outdoor areas and accidental damage. |
| Business interruption | Lost income and extra costs after damage forces closure. | The indemnity period, and any cover for closure by public authorities. |
| Management liability and cyber | Claims against directors, employment disputes, and children’s and parents’ data. | Whether employment practices cover is included. |
All cover is subject to the insurer’s acceptance and the policy terms. See also management liability and cyber insurance.
Most nursery claims involve everyday accidents: falls in the garden, trapped fingers, choking incidents and allergic reactions. The EYFS requires at least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises (paragraph 3.37) and a written record of accidents, injuries and first aid (paragraph 3.78).
Medicines may only be given with written permission for that particular medicine, a written record of each dose and same-day notice to parents (paragraphs 3.61 and 3.62). The September 2026 framework also sets safer sleep requirements (paragraph 3.86), including that children under two must be placed down on their back in their own separate sleep space, and that children must always be within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping.
Ask how your policy treats first aid and medicines, and whether the limit for those claims is the same as the main limit. Our guide to medication errors in care explains why treatment wording matters.
The EYFS requires a designated safeguarding lead (paragraph 3.4) and says Ofsted, or the childminder agency, must be told of allegations of harm or abuse within 14 days (paragraph 3.10). Paragraph 3.79 requires providers to notify Ofsted of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, a child in their care as soon as reasonably practicable and within 14 days, and failing to do so without reasonable excuse is an offence.
Your insurer needs a separate notification. Abuse cover is usually its own section with its own limit; our page on abuse and safeguarding cover explains how it works, and the education abuse scenario shows the kind of claim insurers price for.
A fire, flood or failed boiler can close a nursery for weeks while parents move their children elsewhere. Business interruption cover pays lost income and extra costs after insured damage, subject to the policy terms, so set the indemnity period long enough to rebuild your rolls, not only to repair the building.
The examples below are illustrative. They are not real claims or outcomes.
Apex arranges insurance for nurseries and childminders, as well as care homes and domiciliary care. A broker reads each enquiry and comes back with options; there is no fee for a quote, and cover is subject to the insurer’s acceptance and the policy terms. To quote, we need your business activities, turnover, location and claims history, plus your Ofsted registration and latest inspection outcome, number of places and staff, each site and whether you own or lease it, and the age range you care for.
Yes, in effect. The EYFS framework for group and school-based providers says providers must carry appropriate insurance, such as public liability, to cover all premises from which they provide childcare. Employers’ liability is also usually compulsory once you employ staff, with a minimum limit of £5 million.
Usually public liability, employers’ liability and abuse cover, plus buildings or tenant’s improvements, contents and business interruption. Many nurseries add management liability, cyber cover for children’s and parents’ data, legal expenses and commercial motor for any minibus. Check how first aid and giving medicines are treated under the liability sections.
Often only to a limited extent. Some business interruption policies include closure ordered by a public authority after a notifiable disease, usually with a lower limit and a short indemnity period, and many exclude communicable disease. Check the wording rather than assuming closure is covered.
Yes, both, separately. The EYFS requires providers to notify Ofsted of any serious accident, illness or injury to, or death of, a child in their care within 14 days, and failing to do so without reasonable excuse is an offence. Your policy will have its own notification conditions, usually requiring prompt notice.
Usually, yes. The hall’s own policy is there to protect the hall owner and may not cover your setting, and the EYFS requires you to carry appropriate insurance for all premises you use. Check your hire agreement for any indemnity you give the hall and whether you must insure equipment you store there.
Tell us what your business does, your turnover and any claims. A broker reads every enquiry and comes back with options. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a commercial enquiry Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information, not advice on your individual circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
