Early years

Information for childminders and adults working in a nursery, preschool, playgroup, day-care, childcare, kindergarten, foundation stage or a school reception class

Under 5s can, and often do, react strongly to their own grief, but also to the grief of significant adults involved in their day-to-day care. Whatever the circumstances, babies, and children under five years of age need to have their grief acknowledged and their distress comforted.

People are often at a loss as to know what to say or do to help a child who has been bereaved by the death of someone important to them. Every situation is different, and children will be affected to a greater or lesser degree, dependent on the circumstances of the death and the nature of the relationship they had with the person who has died.

Most grieving children do not need a ‘bereavement expert’ they need people who care. Early years settings, just by carrying on with their usual day-to-day activities while being aware of the bereavement, can do a huge amount to support a grieving child.

Supporting a bereaved child in an Early Years setting

Bereaved young children need the stability of a familiar routine with caring adults. Read more

Support for the family

Information to help members of staff supporting a bereaved family. Read more

Support for yourself

Being alongside anyone experiencing a loss can be emotionally draining, but supporting a bereaved child, particularly so. The need for support yourself is not a sign of an inability to cope or of professional incompetence, but a recognition that everyone needs help to carry out this demanding role. Read more

Early years bereavement policy

An Early Years bereavement policy will help a setting to consider a response in the event of the death of a child, member of staff, parent or member of the community. Read more

Schools' Information Pack

An information pack for schools supporting bereaved pupils in primary schools - loss, death and grief. The pack contains a series of A4 fact sheets, offering guidance, support and information when a death occurs in the school community or when a school is facing an expected death. Can be Downloaded free of charge. Read more

Books and resources

Books and resources suitable for Early Years settings. Read more

Latest

Genevieve

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. They copy the responses of the adults around them, and rely on adults to provide them with the support.

Emma

Telling a child that someone has died

It is important to tell a child of any age when someone important in their lives has died, and ideally this is done by someone who is closest to them.

Claudia Winkleman becomes Patron of Child Bereavement UK

Claudia Winkleman has become a Patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity which supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement.

What we offer

We are recognised as the leading provider of training for professionals working with bereaved families.

When your baby dies

When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.

What we do

Our vision is for all families to have the support they need to rebuild their lives, when a child grieves or when a child dies.

Royal Patron: HRH The Duke of Cambridge

HRH The Duke of Cambridge has been Royal Patron of Child Bereavement UK since 2009.

Grieving for a child of any age

The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild.