October is National Safe Work Month, led each year by Safe Work Australia. The 2026 theme is "Safe work is for life." It is a reminder that safety is not a single event or a box to tick. It is something that matters to every person, in every role, every day.
At Affinity Education, our people care for children and families in our network of centres across Australia. Their wellbeing at work is central to the quality of that care. This year, we are using Safe Work Month to focus on a part of workplace safety that is often discussed less: what happens after someone is injured, and how we support them to recover and return to work.
Why recovery and return to work matter in early childhood education
Early childhood education is rewarding work. It is also physically active work. Educators lift, carry, kneel, bend and sit at child height many times a day, and they spend a great deal of time outdoors.
Even in a well-run workplace, injuries can happen. When they do, the response matters. Timely support, clear communication and meaningful work during recovery can make a real difference to how quickly and how well a person recovers.
This approach reflects the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030, which aims to minimise the impact of work-related injury and illness and support a timely, safe and lasting return to work. The strategy also recognises the importance of the relationship between a worker and their employer.
Introducing our Support, Learn, Recover campaign
Throughout October, our Safety, Health and Wellbeing team is running Support, Learn, Recover, an injury management and return to work campaign for team members across our centres and support office.
The campaign brings together a set of practical resources:
- Workplace Recovery and Return to Work Toolkit: guidance for team members and leaders on the recovery and return to work process
- Centre Manager Injury Management Checklist: a clear reference for centre leaders when a team member is injured
- Suitable Duties Guide: support for identifying safe and meaningful work that suits a team member's capacity during recovery
- Employee Recovery Resources: information to help team members understand their options and the support available to them
- Posters: visual reminders for display in centres
- Four Toolbox Talks: short, 10-minute discussions that centre teams can complete together during the month
Learning together, ten minutes at a time
Toolbox talks are a simple and effective way to build safety knowledge as a team. Each talk takes around 10 minutes, so it fits into a team meeting or a lunch break during the day without taking educators away from children.
Short, regular conversations help everyone understand what to do if an injury occurs, who to speak with and what support is available. They also help build a culture where team members feel comfortable raising concerns early.
Why this matters for children and families
Children thrive on consistent, secure relationships with the educators who care for them. When team members are well supported through injury and recovery, they are more likely to return to work safely and sustainably. That continuity benefits the children and families who rely on them.
Safe work and child safety are closely connected. The same culture of care that guides how we look after our people also guides how we look after the children in our centres. You can read more about this in our safety commitment.
A workplace that supports its people
Support, Learn, Recover is one part of how Affinity Education supports team members throughout their careers, alongside professional development through the Affinity Learning Academy and our range of employee benefits.
Team members can find the Support, Learn, Recover resources through their centre manager or the Safety, Health and Wellbeing team. If you are considering a career in early childhood education, we invite you to explore career opportunities with Affinity Education.