Glen Education Sundowner 

Community Partnerships and Child Safety 

By Sharifa Fernandes, Early  Childhood Teacher 

Community involvement plays an important role in ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing. When early childhood services work in partnership with families, local organisations, and community services, it reinforces the understanding that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility. 

At Glen Sundowner Kindergarten, we strengthen this protective network by connecting with community partners who support children’s learning and safety. For example, visits from local services such as the Clayton Fire Station, in 2025 to help children learn about fire safety in an engaging and meaningful way.  

We have an ongoing water safety program with a local swim school that provides children with important knowledge about staying safe around water. The sessions are interactive and engaging with emphasis on how to stay safe in and around water. They also re-enforce safety procedures and understanding of safe behaviour with the children. 

We also look after the emotional wellbeing of the children. Through our SRF funding, programs such as Kids ROAR support children, educators as well as families and carers to build awareness around personal safety, helping children feel confident to speak up and seek help when needed. We also share information and resources with families through flyers and communication to support their understanding of child safety and wellbeing. 

Families also generously contribute their time and efforts to help maintain a safe environment for their children. Volunteer parents assist with tasks such as repairing tables and trolleys, while the Volunteer Parent Group (VPG) supports the upkeep of a safe outdoor environment. 

Additionally, all staff, visitors, volunteers, trainers, and professionals are required to complete the new Child Safety training. Glen Education ensures that all relevant policies and procedures are communicated to families and carers, reinforcing that children’s safety and wellbeing are a top priority while in our care. 

Thus, these partnerships extend children’s learning beyond the kindergarten and create a strong network of support around each child.

By working together with families and community organisations, we build a culture where children feel safe, supported, and protected both within the service and in the wider community.