Fire safety in nurseries is not just a statutory requirement—it’s a critical element of your risk management strategy as a senior early years care manager. With vulnerable children in your setting, and staff often juggling multiple duties, your leadership in improving emergency readiness can save lives, protect your reputation, and ensure full regulatory compliance.

Why Fire Preparedness in Early Years Settings Must Be a Senior Leadership Priority

As a senior nursery manager or provider, your role goes far beyond policy sign-off. You are responsible for creating a culture of safety, where fire emergency procedures are understood, practiced, and deeply embedded in the daily rhythm of your setting.

Regulators such as Ofsted and local fire authorities expect clear evidence that your team is trained, your procedures are robust, and your environment is safe. Inadequate fire safety can result in serious consequences, from safeguarding failures to legal penalties.

5 Ways to Improve Nursery Fire Safety and Staff Emergency Preparedness

1. Invest in Regular and Realistic Staff Fire Training

Annual fire drills are often too routine to make an impact. Instead, introduce realistic fire safety training that reflects the challenges of early years environments. Include evacuation scenarios during sleep time, when staff ratios are low, or with children who have additional needs.

This kind of practical emergency training ensures that every staff member knows how to react under pressure—and increases your setting’s overall preparedness.

2. Define and Communicate Clear Staff Responsibilities

Each team member should understand their specific role in an emergency. Who leads the evacuation? Who checks rooms? Who gathers the children and takes the register?

As a senior leader, ensure that these roles are clearly documented, assigned, and regularly reviewed. Well-defined responsibilities lead to confident, decisive action during an actual incident.

3. Incorporate Fire Safety into Staff Induction and Supervision

Nursery staff turnover can be high. Make fire safety training part of every induction process—and revisit it regularly through supervision sessions, staff meetings, and reflective practice. This ensures new and existing staff maintain a high level of awareness.

4. Conduct Regular Fire Risk Assessments

Fire risk assessments are not just a paperwork exercise. Walk through your building with a critical eye. Are exits accessible? Are travel cots or prams blocking routes? Are fire extinguishers in place and serviced?

As a senior early years manager, it’s your duty to ensure assessments are completed and that actions are followed up promptly.

5. Promote a Culture of Safety Across Your Nursery

Creating a “fire-aware” culture starts with leadership. Use displays, team conversations, and even age-appropriate fire drills to make safety part of your setting’s identity. Involve local fire services for additional staff training or to engage children in awareness sessions.

Conclusion: Compliance and Confidence Through Leadership

Improving fire safety in nurseries is not just about ticking a box for inspections—it’s about leading with foresight, building staff confidence, and delivering peace of mind to families. When senior managers prioritise fire safety training, conduct regular audits, and embed emergency response into staff culture, they create safer, more compliant, and more resilient settings.