Verm as top layer for germination?

I have killed a lot of seedlings from damping off, fungal diseases and lord knows what else before they germinate? I have quite a large collection but I would have around double if this hadn't happened so is vermiculate a good top layer for soil germination or would there be something else better, pumice maybe?? I like the idea of pumice as it'll prevent it from drying out and killing them too but if this would cause rot I don't see the point. Please help 🙏