The protection of children is the responsibility of everyone involved at Thornbury Kindergarten, including staff, parents and volunteers. We all share the responsibility for promoting the wellbeing and safety of children.

Thornbury Kindergarten has zero tolerance towards child abuse and is committed to acting in the best interests of children and keeping them safe at all times. The Committee of Management is committed to implementing the minimum Child Safe Standards and creating a child safe organisation.

Thornbury Kindergarten holds children's safety and wellbeing central to all its work in practice, recruitment, professional development, advocacy and policy work.

Thornbury Kindergarten is committed to the wellbeing of all children, families, staff, volunteers and partners in its delivery of high-quality early childhood education. We strive to create a sense of belonging for all children and families irrespective of ethnicity, culture, language, beliefs, gender, age, socioeconomic status, level of ability or family structure. This commitment is reflected in Thornbury Kindergarten’s philosophy and everyday teaching practice.

In line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Thornbury Kindergarten endorses the rights of all children to participate, have purpose and be protected. We ensure that prevention from risk and harm is paramount in all we do.

 

We are committed to:

 

Empowering children

• Recognising that children have a voice and are vital and active participants in our organisation. We involve them when making decisions, especially about matters that directly affect them. We listen to their views and respect what they have to say.

• Taking all concerns, allegations and indications seriously by responding robustly and consistently in-line with the Kinder’s policies and procedures.

• Upholding the rights of all children to feel safe, and be safe, at all times.

 

Embracing inclusion and diversity

• Promoting a culture of inclusion as a principle for all children, including Aboriginal children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children at-risk, and children of all abilities.

• Encouraging active partnerships with parents/guardians and families and ensuring that best practice is based on a child/family-centred approach with shared outcomes for children’s learning, health, safety, wellbeing and development.

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Fulfilling our Duty of Care

• Ensuring that the health, safety and wellbeing of children in our care is protected at all times in the pursuit of promoting their learning, development and wellbeing.

• Fulfilling our duty-of-care obligations under the law by protecting children from any reasonable or foreseeable risk of injury or harm.

• Ensuring that people caring for children in our organisation act in the best interests of the child and take all reasonable steps to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing at all times.

• Promoting prevention of child abuse by identifying potential risks early in the pathway of emerging risk and acting.

• Notifying appropriate organisations such as the Department of Health & Human Services, Child FIRST or Victoria Police regarding any concerns on the safety and wellbeing of a child.

• Reviewing and monitoring all Thornbury Kindergarten systems and processes regularly to ensure they meet requirements to uphold child safety.

• Implementing a robust child safe recruitment process in line with the Child Safe Organisation Indicators when employing staff and volunteers.

• Ensuring that the Child Safety Standards are mandatory professional development requirements for all Thornbury Kindergarten staff.

 

If you would like a copy of our Child Safety Policy and Procedure or further information about our plans to ensure we continue to provide high-quality and safe services, please contact Danielle Logan, Child Safety Support Officer