A reflection on risk, responsibility and the real value of being prepared

Last week, I had a conversation that really stopped me in my tracks. I was talking to someone from a nursery, and she said, quite directly, that she felt it was too much.

I wasn't offended, but I was surprised. I'd only heard this once before. Not because I don't understand the pressure settings are under (I've worked in and alongside them for years), but because it reminded me how easy it is to look at something like this and see it as just another cost. Just more software. Something you can probably do without.

It stayed with me, and I found myself thinking about it long after the conversation had ended.

Because here's the thing. I don't see On The Button as a cost at all. I see it as a safety net. A way to stay ahead of risks, intervene sooner, protect children and staff more effectively, and give you, as the person ultimately responsible, a fighting chance to deal with the hard stuff before it becomes a crisis.

That conversation made me want to write this. Not to persuade, but to explain. Because yes, it's software. But it's also something far more critical than that. It’s a way of working that puts EYFS safeguarding, early years well-being, and EYFS complaint management at the centre of everything you do and helps you do it properly.

It’s Not Just About Convenience. It’s About Responsibility.

Every setting has its way of doing things. Some are still on paper. Some have a patchwork of tools. Some have something more centralised. But regardless of the format, the questions are the same:

Can you spot a concern quickly enough to intervene?

Can you follow a chronology of safeguarding or well-being over time?

Can your staff raise issues confidently, without needing to ask permission first?

And when the call comes from Ofsted, from a parent, from social care, can you show what happened, when, and what you did about it?

One manager put it:

"You get a phone call from Services for Young Children asking for a Section 47… and you're fumbling for bits of paper. It scares me because if you get it wrong, it's a big thing, isn't it?"

That's the heart of it. This conversation isn't about digital vs paper, but about having a system that works when it matters most. Something that supports you in safeguarding in early years settings, without adding unnecessary complexity.

When Emotions and Pressure Collide

What settings often need most is reassurance. Peace of mind that nothing will fall through the cracks, and that there is a plan when the unexpected happens.

One DSL said:

"It takes away the 'Should I? Shouldn't I?' questions. Practitioners raise concerns and complaints with confidence and conviction."

Another said:

"It's a godsend. Especially when you're spinning so many plates. Just knowing it's all logged and safe, it's such a relief."

That emotional pressure lifts when there's a clear system in place. A system that ensures dealing with safeguarding concerns in EYFS doesn’t rely on memory, hesitations, or gut feeling. It becomes part of the culture, not just the policy.

Clarity and Efficiency

Good systems also need to prove their worth logically. They must save time, reduce confusion, and improve consistency across the setting.

"We've got an ongoing case with four or five different staff involved. They've all logged their notes easily. No chasing, no confusion. And I haven't had to sit with them. They just watched the training videos and got on with it."

"We're definitely logging more than we would have before. Instead of leaving the room, finding a form, telling me, filling it in… it's just there, ready to use."

Having complete, time-stamped records isn’t a luxury. It’s protection. Just like your fridge and freezer logs, this is part of your duty of care. Whether you're following your EYFS well-being policy or managing complaints in nurseries, systems should support you to act swiftly and with confidence.

The Voice of Caution

When budgets are tight, it's natural to hesitate. To say, "Let’s stick with what we know." That instinct is understandable. But it can also be risky.

What if "what we know" isn’t enough anymore? What if it’s no longer fit for purpose?

We’ve all seen it. Safeguarding concerns raised too late. Patterns missed. Paperwork lost. Complaints mishandled. In a serious case, the question will always be:

Why didn’t you have something better in place?

Not a System. A Culture.

Let’s be honest. No digital tool replaces professional judgement. But the right one will support it. It helps build a culture where staff feel safe to speak up. Where nothing gets brushed aside. Where early years staff well-being is not only monitored but prioritised.

This isn’t about ticking a safeguarding box. It’s about making sure no concern, no pattern, and no child falls through the gaps. It’s about giving your team clarity and confidence every single day.

Why This Needs Saying

Early years settings are under constant pressure. There’s rarely time or money to spare. So, it’s easy to hold off, to keep going as things are.

But EYFS safeguarding isn’t just a statutory responsibility. It’s a daily one. And the truth is, it’s often the thing we hope we won’t have to deal with. But we will. Because children need us to.

That’s why a strong safeguarding and well-being system matters. Not because it’s another bit of admin. But because it’s the foundation for protecting your children, your staff, your reputation, and your setting.

Final Thought

I understand the hesitation. Every pound matters. But this isn’t really about price. It’s about priorities.

And there is a cost to not having a safety net. A very real one.

When safeguarding and well-being systems are weak or inconsistent:

• Children may go unsupported. Small concerns are missed. Patterns overlooked.

• Staff may feel unsure or afraid to raise issues.

• You, as the leader, may be left without the evidence you need when it matters most.

• The business becomes exposed. One poorly handled issue could have lasting consequences.

Because when something does go wrong — and sooner or later, it will — what will you have in place to show that you acted early, responded appropriately, and supported everyone involved?

That’s what On The Button offers.

Not a cost.

A safety net.

AUTHOR:- Catherine Lyon is an early years consultant and former Ofsted inspector, Quality Assurance Assessor and Outstanding Nursery Provider with over 50 years of experience across the early years sector. She has supported hundreds of settings in developing high-quality provision, focusing on leadership, safeguarding, and compliance. Catherine is passionate about helping professionals build safe, nurturing environments where children thrive. She contributes to the On the Button team, delivering well-being, safeguarding, and complaint management software that empowers early years practitioners and management to act confidently and clearly.

At On the Button, we're proud to support early years professionals with sector-specific software that promotes EYFS safeguarding, early years well-being, and effective complaint management. Designed by people who understand the challenges of running and regulating childcare settings, our platform helps ensure that safeguarding signs are never missed. Whether you're managing risk, well-being, or compliance, On the Button brings peace of mind.