Safety Guidance for Childminding Settings

Trampolines can be a fantastic source of active play, helping children develop balance, coordination, and gross motor skills whilst burning off energy and having great fun. However, they also carry a real risk of injury if not managed carefully.

This guidance will help you decide whether a trampoline is appropriate for your setting, and if so, how to use it safely in line with your safeguarding and risk management responsibilities.

1. Should You Have a Trampoline in Your Setting?

Before introducing a trampoline, you must carry out a thorough risk assessment. Consider the following:

The ages and developmental stages of the children in your care
The size of your outdoor space and whether a safe fall zone can be maintained
Your ability to provide adequate supervision at all times
Your public liability insurance — check with your provider that trampoline use is covered
Whether parents and carers have given written consent for their child to use the trampoline

✅ A trampoline may be suitable if: children are aged 6 and over, you have a large clear outdoor space, you can dedicate 1:1 supervision, your insurer confirms cover, and you have parental consent.

❌ Reconsider if: you care for children under 6, your garden is small or cluttered, you cannot supervise 1:1, your insurer does not cover it, or parental consent is not obtained.

2. Age and Weight Guidance

The NHS and RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) advise that children under 6 years old should not use trampolines, due to their developing bones and limited ability to control their movements and landings safely.

⚠️ Key Guidance from RoSPA

Children under 6 should not use trampolines — their bones are still developing and they are at high risk of fractures

Only one person should bounce at a time — the majority of trampoline injuries occur when multiple users are on the mat simultaneously

Always follow the manufacturer's maximum weight guidance for the specific trampoline

Children with certain medical conditions (e.g. brittle bones, recent fractures, epilepsy) should not use trampolines without written medical clearance

3. Equipment Requirements

A safe trampoline is a well-maintained trampoline. Before any child uses the equipment, check the following:

#	Check	Frequency
1	Safety enclosure net is present, intact and properly secured to the frame	Before every session
2	Frame padding covers all springs and frame edges	Before every session
3	Trampoline mat is free from holes, tears, and loose stitching	Weekly
4	Springs are all present, evenly tensioned, and undamaged	Monthly
5	Frame is free from rust, cracks, or bent sections	Monthly
6	The trampoline is positioned on a level surface, 2.5 m away from fences, walls, and trees	Before every session
7	A fall zone of at least 2 metres is clear on all sides	Before every session
8	Ladder is removed when not in supervised use	After every session

4. Supervision Rules

Supervision is the single most important factor in preventing trampoline injuries. Always be present and actively watching whenever a child uses the trampoline.

🔒 Non-Negotiable Supervision Rules

-Children must not crawl underneath the trampoline

Only one child on the trampoline at any time — no exceptions

You must be positioned close to the trampoline, not watching from a distance

Never leave a child unsupervised on the trampoline, even briefly

Ensure all other children in your care are safe and accounted for before supervising trampoline use

Stop the session immediately if you need to attend to another child

Do not allow bouncing near the net/enclosure edges

No somersaults, flips, or head-first movements — these cause the most serious injuries

5. Rules for Children

Before any child uses the trampoline, go through the rules clearly in a way appropriate to their age. For younger children, keep this simple and visual. Consider displaying a laminated rules card near the trampoline.

✅ DO

Bounce in the middle of the mat
Wear appropriate clothing and socks
Wait your turn patiently
Tell the childminder if something doesn't feel safe
Stop bouncing and sit down to get off

❌ DO NOT

Attempt flips, somersaults or tricks
Jump near the edge or net
Wear shoes, jewellery, or glasses
Climb on the net or frame
Go on when another child is bouncing
Bounce when wet
Crawl underneath

6. Risk Assessment

Your trampoline risk assessment must be documented, dated, and reviewed regularly.

Your risk assessment should cover:

Identified hazards (falls, collisions, entrapment in springs or net, equipment failure)
Who is at risk (age groups, specific children with additional needs)
Control measures in place (supervision ratios, equipment checks, rules)
Emergency procedures if an injury occurs
Review dates and any incidents recorded

7. Parental Consent

Always obtain written consent from parents or carers before allowing their child to use the trampoline. This consent should:

Describe the activity and the safety measures in place
Ask parents to disclose any relevant medical conditions
Be signed and dated

Remind parents that consent can be withdrawn at any time, and that you will always respect their wishes. If a parent declines consent, ensure the child is safely occupied elsewhere during trampoline sessions.

9. Expectations

At your QA tiney will expect to see evidence that you manage risk in your setting responsibly and proportionately. When it comes to trampolines, this means:

A written, up-to-date risk assessment
Evidence of parental consent
Records of equipment checks and maintenance
Accident records that are accurate and signed
An understanding of why the rules you have in place exist

Being able to talk confidently about how you manage trampoline safety — and showing you have considered the individual needs of each child — will demonstrate the kind of reflective, responsible practice tiney looks for.