At Jack in the Box we acknowledge the balance of the developmental need for touch with strict safeguarding boundaries. While physical contact is necessary for a child’s well-being, it

The Purpose of Physical Contact

  • Support and Comfort: Physical contact is used to comfort a distressed child, provide reassurance, or for safety (e.g., holding a hand near a road).
  • Developmental Need: A young children requires nurturing touch for healthy emotional development.

Principles of Appropriate Contact

  • Child-Led: Contact should generally be initiated by the child (e.g., a child initiating a hug). Children like to sit on laps.  This is to be restrictive to support independence, the adult to child ratio means there are not enough laps to go around. Cuddles and sitting on laps needs to be for comfort and not a go to constant. Staff should always be sensitive to the child’s body language and “ask” before initiating contact where possible (e.g., “Would you like a cuddle?”).
  • Professional Boundaries:  A touch must be appropriate e.g., a hand on the shoulder, a side-on hug, or holding hands.
  • Avoidance of Restricted Areas: Staff must never touch a child’s genital areas, except during necessary intimate care (like nappy changing), which follows its own specific procedure.

Prohibited Physical Contact

  • Physical Punishment: A zero-tolerance policy for any form of physical chastisement (smacking, shaking, or rough handling), which is a statutory requirement under the EYFS.
  • Intrusive Touch: Prohibit kissing children, allowing children to sit on laps for extended periods, or any contact that could be misinterpreted.

 Working in the Presence of Others

  • Openness: Staff should avoid being alone with a child in a closed-door room. Physical contact should occur in the presence or sight of other staff members to protect both the child and the adult.
  • Transparency: If a staff member has to provide significant physical comfort (e.g., a child is extremely upset and needs to be held), this should be mentioned to a colleague or recorded.

 Last Resort:  Physical intervention (holding a child to move them or prevent movement) is only permitted to prevent imminent injury to the child, others, or serious damage to property.

  • Recording Requirements: Any incident of physical intervention must be recorded in an Incident Log on the same day, and parents must be informed immediately.

  Cultural and Individual Sensitivity

  • Diverse Needs: Acknowledge that different cultures and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) may have different comfort levels with touch.
  • Individual Plans: For children who require specific physical support, ensure this is documented in an Individual Healthcare Plan or Intimate Care Plan agreed upon with parents.

 Staff Protection and Reporting

Reporting Concerns: If a staff member is concerned that their physical contact was misinterpreted, or if they witness a colleague using inappropriate touch, they must report it under the Whistleblowing or Safeguarding procedures immediately.

15th January 2026                               Manager sign Jenny

Review January 2027                  Jack in the Box Playgroup Limited trading as Jack in the Box Preschool.