Putting Children's Privacy First

Why We Do Not Share Images or Videos of Children Online

At Happycrew Childcare, our mission has always been to create a childhood filled with adventure, exploration, meaningful relationships and a deep sense of belonging. Central to that mission is our unwavering commitment to safeguarding children and protecting their wellbeing in every sense, including their digital wellbeing.

After careful reflection, we have made the decision to no longer use photographs, videos or identifiable imagery of children on our website, social media channels or wider marketing materials.

We have always sought appropriate parental consent before sharing images or videos of children and have used them responsibly and in accordance with our policies and data protection obligations. We are incredibly grateful to the families who have supported us and allowed us to celebrate and share moments from their children's journeys.

However, the world in which children are growing up is constantly evolving, particularly in relation to technology and digital privacy. As childcare professionals, it is our responsibility to remain informed about emerging discussions, developments and guidance that may affect children's wellbeing, both now and in the future.

There is an increasing focus nationally on children's digital rights, privacy and online safety. Initiatives such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO’s) Children's Code encourage organisations to place children's best interests and privacy at the centre of decision-making, whilst wider online safety measures continue to strengthen protections for children in digital environments.

Whilst there is currently no requirement for childcare providers to stop using children's images where appropriate consent has been obtained, Happycrew Childcare has always sought to go beyond minimum standards. Rather than waiting for future changes in guidance, expectations or best practice, we have chosen to take what we believe is the most child-centred and safeguarded approach.

This decision is also deeply connected to our values. At Happycrew Childcare, we work hard to teach and embody the principles of consent, respect, personal boundaries and individual dignity. We want every child to feel safe, heard, valued and respected. As we reflected on what these values mean in today's digital world, we recognised that choosing not to share children's images publicly is the approach that feels most aligned with our ethos.

We also believe childhood should be experienced in the moment, not through a screen. Our approach has always prioritised real experiences, genuine relationships and meaningful human connection. We encourage children to explore, discover, create and thrive through hands-on experiences, and this decision is a natural extension of that philosophy.

As part of this commitment, we have removed photographs and videos of children from our website and social media platforms and we have taken these steps to ensure that no further images or videos of children will be published by Happycrew Childcare going forward.

Moving forward, we will continue to give prospective families an authentic insight into life at Happycrew Childcare by showcasing our environments, our team, our curriculum, our values, our resources and the experiences we provide, without sharing images or videos of the children themselves.

Importantly, this decision is not about telling families how they should share memories of their own children; every family will make the choices that are right for them. This is a decision about how we, as an organisation, choose to demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding, privacy and children's rights. 

For us, this is about more than compliance, forward thinking, responsibility and doing what we believe is right. Every child deserves not only exceptional care and learning opportunities, but also the strongest possible protection of their privacy, dignity and future digital identity.

At Happycrew Childcare, we believe safeguarding should evolve alongside the world around us. This decision is the next step in our commitment to putting children first, always.