If It Isn't Broken… Could It Still Be Better?

A gentle invitation to rethink "good enough"

Not long ago, someone said to me, quite matter-of-factly, we don't need to mend what isn't broken.

And I paused. Because I understood her point. In fact, it's a completely reasonable position. Most nursery and preschool settings I speak to have created systems over time that do work, systems that get them through inspections, respond to incidents, log what's needed, and hold things together. They're often built from years of habit, handwritten forms, shared folders, and a lot of human effort.

But here's the thing I've learned from talking with hundreds of settings:

Just because something isn't broken doesn't mean it's doing everything it could. Or everything you'll need it to do when something goes wrong. This is especially true when it comes to EYFS safeguarding, early years well-being, and managing complaints in nurseries.

The Truth about "good enough"

Many of us in early years are firefighting. You do what's necessary, often with limited time, budget, or headspace to stop and reflect. So if the wheels are turning, it's tempting to leave them be.

But here's what I gently want to challenge:

Does it really work well? Or have you just made it work?

There's a big difference between a system that functions and one that supports your team, safeguards children, protects you, and creates confidence when the pressure is on. Dealing with safeguarding concerns in EYFS requires more than a functioning system. It requires one that’s proactive, secure, and trusted.

As one manager said:

"You get a 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?"

In the day-to-day, that might not seem urgent. But in a moment of crisis, you'll wish you had more than "good enough".

What's Going on Beneath the Surface

It's worth thinking about what happens psychologically when someone says, "We're fine as we are."

Often, it's the cautious, protective part of us speaking, afraid of breaking what's working. Especially in a sector like early years, where risk is high and time is short, that voice says, "Don't change. Don't spend. Don't take chances."

Meanwhile, another part of us notices the near-misses, the handwritten note that got lost, the complaint that wasn't quite documented right. It wonders if there's a better way… and then quickly gets distracted by everything else.

And sometimes, deep down, there's the part that says:

"I just want to know my team are safe, the children are safe, and I won't be caught off guard."

When people invest in a system like On the Button, it's often not because something was broken. It's because they recognised an opportunity to make it safer, easier, and more connected before something went wrong. That’s often when they rethink their EYFS well-being policy or review how they’re currently managing complaints in nurseries.

Building on what Works

One setting shared:

"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."

Did they ditch everything? No, they built upon what was working. Now they have clearer information, faster responses and generally a more confident team. That’s a practical example of improving early years complaint management without starting from scratch.

Another said:

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

That's not a small thing. That's a culture shift. And it starts with giving your team the tools to act on their professional judgment, not just their memory. That shift is essential to effective safeguarding in early years settings.

From Paperwork to Protection

Your current system might be "working", but is it protecting everyone?

The child whose signs are subtle and easy to miss?

What about the practitioner who's unsure whether something is worth logging?

You, as the person responsible for upholding your setting's safeguarding and well-being decisions?

When something does go wrong, and in early years, something eventually will, the system you rely on becomes the safety net or the liability. There's rarely a middle ground. Investing in something more robust is a way to safeguard against what could otherwise fall through the cracks.

As one DSL put it:

"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."

Final Thought

You don't need to fix something that's broken.

But you might want to strengthen something that matters.

You might want to create space for reflection, even in a sector that gives you very little time to stop.

You might want to go beyond just getting by and build something more sustainable, more robust, more protective.

And no, it's not always a thrilling subject.

But early years safeguarding and staff well-being were never meant to be exciting.

They're meant to be reliable.

Reassuring.

Real.

That’s what good systems can become if you let them.

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.