Child Safety & Wellbeing

Keeping children safe is paramount 

At St Mary's Preschool, the safety, wellbeing, and rights of children are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a child-safe culture where every child feels safe, respected, valued, and heard.

Our service upholds the Child Safe Standards and the Paramountcy Principles, which recognise that the safety, wellbeing, and best interests of children must be the paramount consideration in all decisions and actions affecting them. We actively promote children's participation, respect their voices, and work in partnership with families to support each child's wellbeing.

All educators, staff, volunteers, students, and committee members are committed to maintaining a child-safe environment. Educators hold a valid Working with Children Check and complete mandatory Child Protection and Child Safe training to ensure they can identify, respond to, and report concerns relating to children's safety and wellbeing. As mandatory reporters, educators have a legal and ethical responsibility to respond to and report concerns where a child may be at risk of harm.

Digital Safety 

Digital safety forms an important part of our commitment to child safety and wellbeing. We are mindful of the impact digital technologies can have on children's privacy, safety, and digital footprint.

Personal devices are not permitted around children, and all visitors are required to acknowledge and comply with St Mary's Preschool's Safe and Responsible Use of Service Technology expectations. We encourage families to support our phone-free environment during drop-off and pick-up times, allowing children, families, and educators to engage in meaningful interactions and connections.

Mindfulness

‘Mindfulness’ is our social, emotional group time, which we practice every day after lunch and substitutes the traditional “Rest Time” for the children who do not to sleep. At Preschool our days are busy and fun, jammed packed with learning and stimulation, so it is important that we provide children the time and space to recharge throughout the day.

Mindfulness supports children's wellbeing and encourages children to stop and pay attention to what is happening in the present moment. It may be what you’re feeling, hearing, or anything else you notice. It helps calm children’s minds and relax their bodies, supporting them to ground themselves, checking in on how they are feeling and identify ways in which they can self-regulate.