England Considers Requiring CCTV in Nurseries After Child Deaths

This indicates roughly one third of responding nurseries have cameras installed.

A BBC investigation identified a 40% increase in serious incidents reported by nursery staff to Ofsted in England between 2019 and 2024 compared with the previous five years. These include accidents, illnesses and injuries as well as safeguarding concerns.

Jayne Coward of Ofsted told MPs that the overwhelming majority of early years settings are safe. Coward said the rise may reflect greater staff confidence in reporting rather than an increase in incidents. Tim McLachlan, chief executive of the National Day Nursery Association, stated that instances of abuse in nurseries are rare but "one is too many".

He noted that the vulnerability of young children makes such cases higher profile. Current national data on serious safeguarding incidents does not routinely specify location, making it difficult to determine whether nursery abuse is rising. In response to recent cases, Ofsted has shortened inspection cycles for early years settings from six years to four years.

Parents have increasingly asked nurseries about CCTV presence following media coverage. Some argue its absence raises concerns. In Bristol, Nathan Bennett was arrested after a nursery manager caught him on camera inappropriately touching a child. Campaigners say inspectors should be able to review footage to check practices such as safe sleeping and staff-to-child ratios.

Jenny Ward, CEO of the Lullaby Trust, said the majority of settings do an "incredible job" but parents need reassurance that practices are being checked. Chalk Nursery has installed cameras covering children's rooms, outdoor spaces and reception areas at its sites in Bristol and London.

Operations director Bethany Patrick said the system acts as a deterrent and adds reassurance for families. She expressed concern about costs for smaller providers and opposed routine Ofsted review of footage, preferring in-person assessments. Some nurseries, including Bright Little Stars in north London, now provide parents with limited live access to footage from their child's room.