Our Safety Commitment
Every child in our care has the right to feel safe, respected and heard. At Affinity Education, that right is non-negotiable.
We follow Australia's national best practices in early childhood education and care, with a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse or harm in any form. That commitment runs through every level of our organisation, from the educators in our centres to the executive team.
Safety is a culture, not a checklist
Our #SafetyStartsWithMe initiative puts personal accountability at the centre of how we work. Every team member, regardless of their role, is empowered to take ownership of safety, speak up when something doesn't feel right, and hold themselves and others to a high standard.
This culture is reinforced by our national Safety, Compliance and Education teams, who conduct regular centre visits, audits and coaching sessions to ensure consistency across our entire network.
How we keep children safe every day
Child protection and mandatory reporting
All educators are trained in child protection and understand their legal obligations under mandatory reporting laws. Concerns are acted on immediately. We work closely with relevant authorities and take decisive action, including removing individuals who fall short of our standards, without exception.
Safe, secure environments
Indoor and outdoor spaces are inspected and maintained regularly, with hazard identification built into our daily routines. Our environments are designed with children's safety and developmental needs in mind.
Active supervision
Our educators maintain engaged, anticipatory supervision at all times, not passive monitoring. We promote a "See Something, Say Something" approach, where every team member plays an active role in identifying and responding to risk.
Health and hygiene
We follow strict hygiene protocols every day, including handwashing routines, safe chemical storage and handling, food preparation standards, and illness prevention practices to reduce the spread of infection.
Health and hygiene
Children rest in calm, individual sleep spaces. We follow national safe sleep guidelines, including 5-10 minute sleep checks in nurseries, to ensure every child is safe and comfortable while they rest.
Excursions and transport
Excursions are not a regular feature of our programs. When they do occur, detailed risk assessments and safety protocols are in place before any child leaves the centre. A small number of our centres provide transport, with approved car seats, safety checks, and appropriate supervision as standard.
Sun safety
We follow SunSmart guidelines across all centres. Outdoor play is scheduled at low-UV times, and children wear hats and SPF 50+ sunscreen, both of which are provided as part of our standard inclusions.
Medical and dietary needs
Individual needs are documented and communicated clearly. Allergy placemats, food identification cards, and medical management plans are in place to ensure every child's mealtime is safe, inclusive and free from risk.
Secure entry and exit
All centres operate with secured, monitored entry points, maintained perimeter fencing, and strict sign-in and sign-out procedures. Only authorised carers may collect a child.
Emergency preparedness
Educators and children participate in regular emergency drills. Evacuation and lockdown procedures are reviewed regularly and kept current, so every team member knows exactly what to do.
Working with families
Child safety is most effective when it's a shared commitment. We work in close partnership with families, encouraging open communication, taking concerns seriously, and ensuring families always feel informed and included.
Centre Managers are available to speak with families at any time. If something doesn't feel right to you, we want to hear it.
National oversight, local accountability
Our national Safety, Compliance and Education teams work directly alongside centre teams, not just as auditors, but as coaches and partners. Safety is embedded into every induction, team meeting and training session across our network.
At Affinity, protecting children isn't just a responsibility. It's our purpose.
