The On the Button Story: Made for Early Years, Not just Adapted

On the Button is safeguarding and well-being software designed by early years professionals, for early years settings. Built from real experience in busy rooms, it helps staff log concerns quickly, gives leaders clear oversight, and supports EYFS compliance without the paperwork headache. From complaints to training, it keeps everything in one place, so you can focus on what matters most: the children.

It began in real rooms, with real children.

After more than 50 years in early years and four Ofsted Outstanding settings, Catherine knew the feeling that keeps leaders awake at night: rushing to respond to a concern, wondering if a quiet comment ever reached a log, and seeing how staff well-being and family support sit at the heart of EYFS safeguarding. She wanted something simple that worked in busy rooms, not just something that looked tidy on paper.

“Having experienced the challenges first-hand, I just wanted something that actually worked in EYFS settings, something simple, that could save time, reduce stress, and support the people doing the work.”

Because sometimes, something doesn’t feel quite right. A new behaviour. A change in how a child plays, reacts, or connects. On their own, these things might just be part of growing up. But maybe… they’re not. Maybe they’re trying to tell us something.

Children don’t usually tell us directly. They show us. And if we don’t notice, or we notice but do nothing, those early signs can harden into long-term struggles.

On the Button grew from that lived experience.

It provides practitioners with a clear place to record what matters in the moment and gives seniors calm oversight, ensuring the right people act in a timely manner. Safeguarding in early years settings and well-being sit together, separate from admin clutter, because the whole picture is what helps children most.

Whether it’s responding to safeguarding concerns in line with EYFS, managing complaints in nurseries, or supporting early years staff well-being, On the Button is built for the realities of early years practice.

To ensure we were on the right track, we sought the input of two independent early years consultants who regularly deliver safeguarding training. They went on to endorse On the Button, confirming it supports good practice and meets EYFS safeguarding and compliance expectations.

From the very beginning, our focus has been on progress, not just polish.

We regularly engage with our users in open Get-Togethers, gather their ideas, and implement improvements that make their work easier.

• EYFS Complaint Management arrived in October 2024, supporting early years complaint management with a clear, trackable process.

• 3D Body Mapping followed in March 2025, helping staff record physical concerns with accuracy and confidence.

• In September 2025, we added a Safer Recruitment Process Log and a Training Matrix with renewal alerts, supporting EYFS safer recruitment, early years training compliance, and giving space for each setting’s own courses

In January 2025, we introduced On the Button Accreditation.

This recognises settings that use the software consistently and effectively across their whole team. It’s not about ticking boxes, but about embedding good EYFS well-being policy and safeguarding practice into everyday routines.

Settings that meet the criteria earn Accreditation status, showing families, staff and inspectors that they take safeguarding seriously. By April 2025, five settings had achieved it.

To support and celebrate those who help spread the word, we launched the On the Button Champions in October 2025.

These are settings or individuals who regularly engage with our content, share insights, and help others strengthen their early years safeguarding and well-being practice. Whether it’s liking a blog post, commenting on a serious case review, or recommending us to a colleague, their support helps build a stronger early years community.

And we’re not done yet. More features are in development, shaped by the people who use On the Button every day.

The word has spread.

From a soft launch with six settings up to April 2025, we expanded to support 18 settings from June, before the start of the new academic year, with momentum building.

That represents a 200% growth. If we consider the maximum number of children that can attend at one time in these settings, there has been a 264% increase, alongside a footprint that now spans 11 regions across England.

Approaching Autumn 2025, we were finalists in all three awards we entered at the end of the summer:

• Teach Early Years (Happy & Healthy)

• NMT Awards (Technology Product of the Year)

• GESS (Early Years Resource or Equipment Supplier of the Year)

What users say matters most.

"Definitely do it… keeps safeguarding in one place and is quick to log. Staff now record straight away and we review it while it is fresh." - Di Scott, Manager and DSL, Shropshire.

"Not just safeguarding, well-being too… simple, not over-complicated, and staff log more because it is right there in the room." - Sarah Hickenbottom, Owner, Leicestershire.

"From paper to computer is the way forward… saves time, and multiple staff can add to the same case." - Hayley, Deputy DSL, Suffolk

We review our security routinely, keeping data safe.

Sensitive information is not contained in the SMS alerts. We aim to support your peace of mind with a 90-day money-back guarantee, short help videos, and WhatsApp support with a named human who is happy to assist you.

It is important to us to help everyone be On the Button by using the software to the full, supporting EYFS training compliance and early years training matrix use in practice.