As of 2024–2025, new national regulations across Australia have significantly tightened restrictions on smoking and vaping in and around early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. These changes reflect a growing commitment to child safety, educator well-being, and public health, and they’re now embedded in the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the National Quality Standard (NQS).

The following Biting Policy Example tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, drawing on best practice from ACECQA, Child Australia, and service-level procedures.

This template can be used for service policies. 

Here’s a clear, sector-aligned policy template tailored for early childhood education and care services, ensuring compliance with the upcoming 2026 NQF reforms and reinforcing your commitment to child safety and educator well-being.

Here's a comprehensive, sector-responsive policy and procedure framework for the safe use of digital technologies—including CCTV—tailored for early childhood education settings. It balances child safety, educator well-being, regulatory compliance, and ethical transparency.

Thanks to the new National Model Code and upcoming regulatory changes under the National Quality Framework (NQF), early childhood services across Australia must now implement robust policies for the taking, use, storage, and destruction of images and videos of children. Here's a sample policy template aligned with the latest updates, effective from 1 September 2025.

Here’s a comprehensive Mobile Phone and Smart Watch Policy tailored for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Australia, aligned with the latest 2025 legislative reforms and National Quality Framework (NQF) updates.

The Four Eyes Policy—also known as the Four Eyes Principle or Two-Person Rule—is a safeguarding and accountability measure that requires two adults to be present or able to observe during certain activities involving children. In childcare, especially in high-risk contexts like intimate care or one-on-one interactions, this principle helps protect both children and educators.

The Telethon Kids Institute has created the Play Active Program which contains a physical activity policy to assist services in putting their policy into practice.

There is enough evidence in the history of the world to show the steep cost that societies pay when racism in its processes and institutions is not addressed and combated. In Australia, all early childhood learning frameworks mandate that all children should feel safe, secure and supported in their learning environment. Additionally, learning frameworks are underlined by the principle of respect for diversity in all forms. The following article provides strategies to ensure zero tolerance for racism in early childhood settings.