Complaints about childcare

How to make a complaint about your childcare provider.

Child protection

If your complaint relates to child protection, follow guidance complaining about a childcare provider or childminder agency.

In an emergency please dial 999.

Allegations against staff and volunteers who work with children

You should contact the Haringey Local Authority Designated Person (LADO) if you think that any childcare staff or volunteers are not suitable to work with children.

Haringey Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Contact the Haringey Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) if you're worried about a child's safety.

Safeguarding and standards

In Haringey settings, safeguarding is a top priority.

Always check on how individual settings manage their safeguarding arrangements.  

Ask yourself questions like:

  • do staff and volunteers have up to date DBS checks (all staff working with or having access to children, young people or vulnerable adults should)?
  • does the provision belong to a professional organisation or quality assurance scheme?
  • does the provision have child protection and health and safety policies in place?

Other complaints

If your complaint is of a general nature such as disputes about contracts or fees first you should contact the head or manager of the childcare provision. It is a good idea to put your complaint in writing.

You can ask your childcare provider for a copy of their complaints procedure which explains how your complaint will be dealt with. 

If you are not satisfied with the response then you can report your complaint to Ofsted.

Contact childcare and early years