Glen Education Mordialloc

Creating a Culture of Safety Together 

By Glen Mordialloc Educational Team  

Children’s safety and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do at Glen Education.   

As we continue to embed the Child Safe Standards into our everyday practice, we focus on creating environments where children feel safe, supported, heard and confident. 

A key part of this is empowering children to understand their rights, express their needs, and recognise what a safe relationship looks and feels like. 

Through everyday interactions, group discussions and play based learning we support children to build the language and confidence to express their thoughts, feelings and boundaries. 

This includes: 

•  Encouraging children to say and or sign “no”, “stop” or speak up when something doesn’t feel right. 
• Reading books and discussing respectful relationships and kindness 
• Modelling safe, caring and consistent interactions 
• Supporting children to identify trusted adults in their lives 
• Using Posters visually representing children modelling Green and Red choices within the service. (the children had fun brainstorming these ideas and posing for the photos) 
• Using a daily visual schedule which contributes to the children’s sense of safety and emotional security.  When children know what is next, they feel calm, in control and comfortable in the environment. 
• In partnership with families, we support children with home languages other than English, in this example we have some key phrases of the home language of a particular child available to all staff and visitors which aids in communication and familiarity for the child. 
• We have family blocks, with photos representing all the families in our classroom, here children can physically show and share their important people which creates a bridge between home and kinder building security and connectedness. 

These practices align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) particularly: 

•  Outcome 1:  Children have a strong sense of identity – as they feel safe secure and supported 
• Outcome 3:  Children have a strong sense of wellbeing – as they develop resilience and confidence 
• Outcome 5 Children are effective communicators – as they learn to express their needs and feelings. 

By working together we can help children develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise safe relationships and seek support when needed.