by Insurance-DeskOfsted & insurance
What insurance does a nursery actually need?
A plain-English guide to what's required by law, what Ofsted expects, and what's simply sensible.
The short version
Two covers are required by law, depending on how you run. One is required for Ofsted registration. The rest are optional, but they're what stands between a bad day and a closed setting.
Employer's liability: required by lawIf you employ anyone, including part-time staff, you must have employer's liability insurance.
Commercial motor: required by lawAny vehicle your setting uses on the road must be insured for business use.
Public liability: required by OfstedOfsted's requirements state that registered daycare providers must have public liability insurance.
Everything else: strongly recommendedBuildings and contents, business interruption, professional indemnity, abuse and cyber cover protect your setting from costs that could otherwise close it.
Source: GOV.UK, Daycare providers on the Compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements
Questions nurseries ask us
Do I need public liability if I'm a small pre-school?
If you're registered with Ofsted as a daycare provider, yes. Size doesn't change the requirement, though it does affect the price.
We're run by volunteers. Do we need employer's liability?
It depends on your setup. Many pre-schools have a mix of paid staff and volunteers. Tell us how yours works and we'll check what applies.
Will Ofsted ask to see our insurance?
You should keep your certificates up to date and easy to find. Bundling your covers into one package means one set of documents to show.
We're in a church hall. Who insures the building?
Usually the building owner insures the structure, but you'll still need cover for your own contents, your liability and any improvements you've made. We'll help you work out where the line sits.
Can I add cover to what I already have?
Yes. Tell us what you already hold and we'll look at the gaps.