CEO Report

Keeping Our Children Safe: A Shared Responsibility 

By Samantha Kolasa

As parents and caregivers, one of our biggest responsibilities is keeping our children safe - especially during the early years, when curiosity knows no bounds and independence starts to bloom. At ages three and four, children are eager to explore their world but still lack the judgment and coordination to recognise danger.

Young children are curious, imaginative, and increasingly independent. While these traits are essential for growth, they also introduce new safety challenges.

During these early years, children are learning how the world works, and they rely on adults to guide them safely through it. By creating secure environments, modelling safe behaviour, and teaching foundational safety skills, parents and caregivers empower their children to explore with confidence and care.

Supporting Families Amid Concerns

At Glen Education, we understand that recent media reports about alleged sexual abuse in childcare settings have been deeply distressing for many families. As educators and caregivers, we share the same concern and heartbreak. 

We also know that these reports may raise questions or worries. We welcome open conversations and are here to listen. If you would like to speak with us privately or learn more about our safety practices, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Child Safe Standards in Victoria

In Victoria, kindergartens are required to adhere to the Child Safe Standards to ensure child safety and well-being. Updated in 2022, these standards mandate that organisations, including kindergartens, implement policies, procedures, and practices to prevent and respond to child abuse. 

This includes:

• Establishing a child-safe culture
• Implementing codes of conduct

• Providing training to staff and volunteers

   

Child safety goes far beyond protection from physical or sexual abuse. At Glen Education, we work with children and families to prevent maltreatment, ensure proper use of child safety seats, promote poison prevention, and foster road, water, and internet safety. Other important aspects include fire safety and teaching children safe behaviours to avoid risky situations.

Teaching children about safety involves open communication, consistent rules, and practical demonstrations. It's crucial to start early, use age-appropriate language, and create a safe space for dialogue about potential risks.

Focussing on teaching children about safe and unsafe situations, people, and touches and how to recognise early warning signs, helps them build their safety network.

Key Areas of Child Safety

1. Personal Safety

• Teach children about safe strangers (police officers, teachers) and unsafe strangers.
• Role-play scenarios like saying "no" to unwanted attention or approaching a safe adult if feeling unsafe.
• Emphasise that they are in control of their bodies and have the right to say no to any unwanted touch.

2. Body Safety

• Teach the proper names for private parts and reinforce that these are private and belong to them.
• Explain the difference between safe and unsafe touching, emphasising that no one should touch them in their private areas.
• Discuss healthy versus unhealthy secrets.

3. Home Safety

• Create a safe play area and manage risks at home, such as preventing falls and burns.
• Discuss potential hazards like hot stoves, sharp objects, and slippery floors.
• Teach children how to play safely with animals, both their own or when wanting to pat the dog they see on the street.

4. Road Safety

• Teach children to look both ways before crossing the street and to walk on sidewalks.
• Explain the importance of holding an adult's hand while walking near traffic.

5. General Safety

• Teach them to recognise early warning signs of unsafe situations and to trust their instincts.
• Encourage them to seek help from trusted adults (parents, teachers, family friends) if they feel unsafe.
• Teach them how to react in unsafe situations (yelling, running away, seeking help).

It is important that we pay attention to a child's cues and be responsive to their needs. Often, it’s what children don’t say that gives us clues as to what they may be feeling about a particular situation or person.

Child safety is not about limiting freedom - it’s about creating a secure space where children can grow, explore, and thrive. By prioritising safety, we are not just preventing harm - we are nurturing confidence, independence, and resilience in the next generation.