Protecting Children: A “Look-For” Guide for Recognising Grooming and Supporting Early Intervention in ECE

In light of ongoing reforms to Working with Children Check legislation across Australia, especially following serious child safety breaches, early childhood education (ECE) centres are called to rethink how safeguarding is embedded into everyday practice.

Beyond regulatory checks, recognising and responding to grooming behaviours is pivotal to protecting children’s well-being—something deeply anchored in EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being.

This guide supports educators to develop professional judgment, apply trauma-informed thinking, and foster environments where all children feel safe, secure, and respected.

What Is Grooming—and Why Should Educators Be Aware?

Grooming refers to behaviours that perpetrators use to gain access to and manipulate children—and sometimes adults—without arousing suspicion. These patterns are often subtle, relational, and contextual, making early detection a matter of professional vigilance.

ECE staff, especially those working closely with children under five, are uniquely positioned to notice early warning signs—if equipped with the right mindset and tools.

EYLF Alignment: Outcome 3

"Children are safe, secure, and respected"

Educators contribute to this outcome by:

Building secure attachments with children
Observing and responding to changes in behaviour
Promoting safe environments and ethical relationships
Acting with professional responsibility when risk is suspected

Adult Behaviours to Watch For

Category	Concerning Signs
Boundary Testing	Repeated attempts to be alone with a child without valid reasons.
Over-Familiarity	Giving gifts, pet names, or using excessive physical contact.
Targeted Engagement	Excessive focus on one child with no professional rationale.
Rule Avoidance	Suggesting exceptions to privacy or supervision policies.
Staff Grooming	Flattering or isolating educators to build trust and reduce scrutiny.

Child Behaviour Indicators

Age Group	Possible Signs
Infants/Toddlers	Distress around certain adults, regression, clinginess, sleep disturbances.
Preschoolers	Sexualized play or language, anxiety during transitions, sudden behavioural changes.

These behaviours don’t confirm abuse but may signal discomfort or emotional distress that warrants attention.

Actions for Early Intervention

Document Patterns Promptly: Use secure platforms like Appsessment to log concerns and observations.
Safe Conversations: Honour children’s voice using developmentally appropriate language.
Reflective Supervision: Discuss emerging concerns with leadership regularly.
Team Scenario Discussions: Build educator confidence with role-play and case study reflections.
Escalate: Follow your service’s child protection reporting protocol without delay.

In an era where compliance is expanding to include cultural and emotional intelligence, resources like these serve not only as educational aids but as safeguards. The guide empowers educators to move beyond passive checks and take active steps toward child safety.