Our Safety Commitment
At Affinity Education, the safety, rights and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority.
We are committed to providing safe, secure and nurturing environments where children can learn, grow and thrive. Our teams follow national best practices in child safety and take a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse or harm - because protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.
Safety is more than a policy - it’s a culture. From our Centre Managers to our newest trainees, every team member plays a vital role in maintaining high safety standards, ensuring families feel confident and supported in our care.
We are also supported by dedicated national Safety, Compliance and Education teams, who regularly visit our centres to conduct audits, provide guidance, and ensure consistent practices across all services.
Child Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
We believe that safety starts with us - and with that belief, we’ve embedded a shared commitment across all our services. Through our #SafetyStartsWithMe initiative, every educator and team member is empowered to take personal ownership of safety, speak up about concerns, and create environments where children feel protected and valued.
How We Keep Children Safe
Here are some of the key areas we focus on each day to uphold the highest standards of care:
Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting
All educators are trained in child protection and understand their legal and ethical responsibilities. Any concerns are responded to immediately, with clear procedures for escalation and support.
At Affinity, we take every concern seriously and respond with urgency and care. Any reports or suspicions of harm are escalated immediately, and we work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of every child. We take swift, decisive action where necessary - including the removal of individuals who do not meet our standards. Families place their trust in us, and we do not take that responsibility lightly.
Safe, Secure Environments
We conduct regular audits of indoor and outdoor spaces to identify and address potential hazards, ensuring children can play, explore and learn safely.
Vigilant Supervision
Our educators actively supervise children at all times - not just watching, but engaging, responding, and anticipating needs. We follow a “See Something, Say Something” philosophy to keep everyone safe and supported.
Health and Hygiene
Rigorous hygiene practices help us prevent illness and create clean environments for all. This includes training in safe chemical handling, food hygiene, and illness prevention.
Safe Sleep Practices
Children rest in calm, secure environments following safe sleep guidelines. We conduct 5-10 minute sleep checks and follow strict protocols to reduce risk and promote restful sleep.
Excursions and Transport
We don’t run excursions, and only a small number of centres offer transport. Where transport is provided, strict safety protocols, including car seat checks and supervision requirements, are always followed.
Sun Safety
We follow SunSmart guidelines to ensure children are protected from harmful UV rays, including scheduling outdoor play at safe times, wearing hats, and applying SPF 50+ sunscreen.
Medical and Dietary Safety
Allergy placemats, food ID cards, and up-to-date medical management plans help ensure children’s needs are met safely - every day, every meal.
Gates, Fences and Secure Entry
Centres are designed to keep children safe, with monitored entry points, regularly checked fencing, and strict sign-in/sign-out protocols for authorised carers.
Emergency Preparedness
All centres run regular emergency drills so educators and children are prepared and confident in case of an unexpected event. Emergency plans are reviewed and updated regularly.
Working Together with Families
We believe the safest environments are built on strong relationships. That’s why we actively encourage open communication with families. Whether it’s a question, concern, or feedback, we’re here to listen. Centre Managers are always available for a conversation - because creating a safe, supportive environment is something we do together.
A Culture of Safety, Every Day
We know that safety isn’t a checklist - it’s a shared commitment. From induction and training to regular audits and team discussions, safety is embedded in every part of how we operate.
Our dedicated national Safety, Compliance and Education teams support every service - so that every family who walks through our doors can feel confident their child is in safe hands.