The Child Safe Standards provide a framework to ensure that every child in early childhood education is protected, respected, and empowered. These standards are not just compliance requirements; they are everyday practices that safeguard children’s well-being while fostering environments where they can thrive.
For educators, translating these standards into age‑appropriate strategies is essential. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers each experience safety differently, and educators must adapt their approaches to meet developmental needs. This guide offers practical checklists and examples to help educators embed child safety into daily routines, interactions, and learning experiences.
Babies (0–2 years)
Key Child Safe Principles:
- Physical safety and wellbeing
- Secure attachment and responsive caregiving
- Respect for individual cues and rhythms
Practical Strategies:
- Safe environments: Ensure cot safety, safe sleep practices, and hazard-free play areas.
- Responsive care: Recognize and respond to non-verbal cues (crying, gestures) to build trust.
- Identity and dignity: Use children’s names, respect feeding preferences, and acknowledge cultural practices.
- Supervision: Maintain close, active supervision during floor play, feeding, and transitions.
Examples:
- An educator notices a baby turning away during feeding and respects the child’s signal, reinforcing autonomy and emotional safety.
- An educator notices a baby rolling toward a toy shelf and quickly removes small choking hazards before allowing exploration.
- During nappy changes, the educator sings softly and maintains eye contact, reinforcing trust and emotional safety.
- A baby shows distress when another child approaches too closely; the educator gently creates space, modeling protective boundaries.
Toddlers (2–3 years)
Key Child Safe Principles:
- Safe exploration and autonomy
- Emotional safety during transitions
- Respectful guidance in social interactions
Practical Strategies:
- Play as learning: Recognize schematic play (transporting, tipping, combining) as exploration, not misbehavior.
- Safe boundaries: Guide biting, hitting, or rough play with calm redirection and language modeling.
- Empowerment: Offer choices (e.g., “Would you like the red cup or the blue cup?”) to build agency.
- Toileting and self-care: Support independence while maintaining dignity and privacy.
Example:
- A toddler repeatedly tips water from a jug. Instead of stopping the play, the educator provides a sensory tub, reframing the behavior as safe exploration.
- A toddler repeatedly climbs onto a chair; instead of scolding, the educator sets up a safe climbing frame to channel the need for gross‑motor exploration.
- During group snack, a toddler grabs food from another’s plate. The educator calmly says, “We wait for our turn,” and provides a second serving, teaching boundaries without shaming.
- A toddler resists putting on shoes; the educator offers two pairs to choose from, empowering the child while ensuring safety outdoors.
Preschoolers (3–5 years)
Key Child Safe Principles:
- Emotional safety and voice
- Empowerment through participation
- Respectful relationships and inclusion
Practical Strategies:
- Behaviour as communication: Respond to challenging behavior by identifying underlying needs (tiredness, frustration, sensory overload).
- Call-and-response interactions: Use songs, stories, and group discussions to build resilience and brain development.
- Inclusive practice: Encourage children to share ideas in group projects, ensuring all voices are heard.
- Safe relationships: Teach consent and respect through everyday routines (e.g., asking before borrowing a toy).
Examples:
- During group time, a preschooler refuses to join. The educator validates the choice, offering a quiet space and reinforcing emotional safety and autonomy.
- A preschooler becomes frustrated during block play and knocks down a peer’s tower. The educator validates the feeling (“You’re upset it didn’t work”) and guides the child to rebuild together, modeling safe conflict resolution.
- During story time, a child asks to hold the book. The educator allows them to turn pages, reinforcing voice and participation.
- A preschooler wants to hug a peer; the educator prompts, “Let’s ask if they’d like a hug,” teaching consent and respect.
- A child who prefers solitary play is offered drawing materials in a quiet corner, ensuring emotional safety while respecting individuality.
Why This Matters
Embedding Child Safe Standards into everyday practice ensures children are not only protected but also empowered. Safety looks different at each age group:
- For babies, it’s about attachment and physical protection.
- For toddlers, it’s about safe exploration and autonomy.
- For preschoolers, it’s about emotional safety, voice, and empowerment.
By tailoring strategies to developmental stages, educators uphold compliance while fostering environments where children thrive.
Further Reading
Practical Strategies To Promote NSW Child Safe Standards
VIC Child Safe Standards
NSW Child Safe Standards
Documentation Services Required to Implement The Child Safe Standards
