Non-toxic shade loving shrub?

[StripyDeckchair]

Hoping some more experienced gardeners can give me some advice. We have an empty bed right next to our front door. It's shady because of proximity to the house but gets a bit of sun at certain times.

We also have a new baby and I'm thinking ahead to when we'll be trying to get in and out of the house with a toddler. All the shade loving plants I can find seem to be toxic to some degree. I know a lot of plants are and you need to teach children to be careful around plants but I'd really like to find something child safe for this particular space right by the door. the bed is about 1x1.5 m square, so a small shrub and/or some perennials would be perfect. Thank you!

Just to add we have thought of ferns but we wondered if there was anything else as we'd like to use them elsewhere in the front garden and don't want the whole thing to look like Jurassic Park.

Try some herbs, Lemon balm, chives and mint will all tolerate some shade. I also have had success with sage and thyme in largely shaded spot.

Thanks - that's a really good thought. That would be nicely fragrant next to the front door too. Is there anything else that would have a bit of height?

Fatsia Japonica. :) I have one and absolutely love it! Really interesting leaves, lovely colour, non-toxic: www.gardenersworld.com/plants/plant-finder/fatsia-japonica/

I have a pittosporum growing happily in a shady border. It's one with purple leaves, and it will stay small.
It's doing very well.

My first thought was fatsia as well. Easy to maintain and evergreen. Some hebes tolerate shade, usually evergreen with white or purple flowers. Hardy Fushia would work too.

Fatsia has lovely fragrant flowers too.

Hebes are very attractive

Camellias are shade tolerant, safe (their leaves make tea) and have beautiful flowers.

Thanks - brilliant suggestions. DH is off to the garden centre now to check a few of these out. Thank you!

I have a tall pot next to my back door with a Cordyline in and some trailing Ivy which seems to be doing well

Aucuba Japonica which is variegated/spotted might work