A nursery is a regulated setting looking after very young children, staffed by people who are checked before they start. Its insurance is built around the two things that would end it: a child seriously hurt, and an allegation against a member of staff.
Public liability, and the children it covers
Public liability answers for injury to a child, a parent or a visitor on the premises, and it is exercised in a setting where falls, choking, allergic reactions and equipment are everyday concerns. Insurers ask about staff ratios, qualifications, the layout of rooms, sleep arrangements, allergy management and outdoor space. The setting's regulatory paperwork and its insurance evidence overlap almost completely, which makes preparing one preparing the other.
Abuse allegations, named and separate
Allegations against staff are the exposure this sector cannot ignore, and general liability wordings frequently exclude deliberate acts. Policies written for nurseries carry a specific abuse cover with its own limit and conditions about recruitment checks, supervision and reporting. A nursery comparing quotes should find that section by name, because its presence is a larger difference than the premium between two policies.
Staff, and the claims they bring
Employers' liability covers a workforce doing physical work at low height all day, with manual handling and infection among the recurring claims. Employment practices liability matters too, because staff disputes in small settings are common and defending a tribunal claim costs real money whatever the outcome. Where the nursery is a company, directors' liability applies to the people running it.
Outings, premises and being closed
Trips to the park, the library or a farm move children off site and are usually covered by an off site extension with conditions about ratios and risk assessments. The premises carry ordinary property risks plus the particular problem that a nursery cannot easily relocate, so business interruption should reflect finding and fitting out alternative registered premises rather than a quick reopening. Records about children are sensitive data, which makes cyber cover relevant.
Questions people ask about insurance for nursery
Is abuse allegation cover included as standard?
Not in general liability wordings, which often exclude deliberate acts. Nursery policies carry a named abuse section with its own limit and conditions.
Are outings covered?
Usually through an off site activities extension with conditions about ratios and risk assessments, which the setting is expected to document.
What does business interruption need to cover?
The time to find and fit out alternative registered premises, which is slower than reopening a shop, as well as the lost income.