What insurance does a nursery need?

Employers liability is the one cover the law requires, from the first member of staff. Public liability is required by Ofsted, funding authorities and landlords, usually at 5 million or 10 million pounds. Beyond those, a nursery normally needs buildings and contents cover, business interruption, loss of registration cover, abuse cover, professional indemnity and personal accident for children and staff.

How much does nursery insurance cost?

There is no standard figure. Insurers rate on the number of registered places and staff, the age range, whether the premises are owned or leased, the sums insured, turnover, the liability limit, outdoor space and equipment, transport of children, the Ofsted rating and history, safeguarding procedures, and the claims record.

Do nurseries need professional indemnity insurance?

Increasingly, yes. Professional indemnity covers financial loss caused by advice, assessments or records rather than physical injury, such as an incorrect developmental report or a negligently handled safeguarding referral. It is not compulsory, but many nursery policies include a modest limit as standard and some local authority contracts require it.

What is loss of registration cover?

If the regulator suspends or cancels a settings registration, the nursery cannot legally operate and its income stops at once. Loss of registration cover pays the lost income and continuing costs for an agreed period while the registration is restored or appealed, and often the legal costs of the appeal.

Does nursery insurance cover a home-based setting or childminder?

A registered childminder needs a childminder policy, which is a different product, and should tell their home insurer because a standard home policy excludes business use. A nursery or pre-school run from a domestic property or hired hall can be insured on a nursery policy provided it is registered; hired halls usually need only contents and liability cover.

Is nursery insurance the same as childcare insurance?

Childcare insurance is the wider label, covering nurseries, pre-schools, creches, out-of-school clubs, childminders and nannies. Nursery insurance is the version for a group setting with premises, staff and registered places, adding buildings or contents, business interruption, employers liability and loss of registration. Childminders and nannies need a smaller, different policy.

Do pre-schools and creches need the same insurance as a day nursery?

The covers are the same, the scale differs. A sessional pre-school in a hired hall usually needs public liability, employers liability, contents, abuse cover and loss of registration but not buildings cover. A creche run alongside another business needs public liability and abuse cover for the hours children are in its care. A full day nursery in its own building adds buildings and business interruption cover.

What are the most common nursery insurance claims?

Most claims are ordinary ones: a child injured by a fall from play equipment or on a wet floor, a parent tripping, staff lifting injuries, escape of water damaging the premises, theft of equipment, and loss of income after a fire, flood or enforced closure. Abuse allegations and Ofsted suspensions are less frequent but far more costly.

Nursery Insurance Guide for UK Nurseries and Pre-Schools

Nursery insurance covers the specific risks faced by nurseries and early years providers, including buildings, public liability, and professional indemnity.

Cover is subject to underwriting, insurer terms and acceptance. Policy limits and exclusions apply.