Child wellbeing, consent and supervision under review at Victorian Belmont service

A matter is under review at an early learning service in Belmont Victoria after a parent alleged her child’s hair was cut without consent by an educator.

The parent, who chose to remove both of her children from the service, described the incident as distressing and expressed concerns about how personal care decisions were made without consultation. The allegation has prompted wider discussion within the early learning sector about the importance of strong communication and respectful engagement with families.

In response to media enquiries, a spokesperson for Busy Bees Australia issued a brief statement to The Sector:

“We are aware of the matter and take any concerns raised seriously. We are currently looking into this with the Centre and discussing with the family directly.”

The provider did not confirm details of the incident but stated that discussions with the family are ongoing.

No further information has been released about whether specific procedural or policy changes will follow.

Situations such as this highlight the central role families play in decisions about their children’s wellbeing and care while attending an early learning service. Families entrust services to provide education, care and personal support for their children, and in turn services are expected to build partnerships based on transparency and trust.

In practice, this means that everyday routines, such as meals, rest, clothing, and personal care are guided by both service policies and the preferences of families. Where adjustments or unexpected circumstances arise, early and respectful communication is critical.

For many services, written authorisations are collected on enrolment and updated regularly, covering matters such as medical treatment, excursions, or emergency care. While haircuts and grooming may not be explicitly listed, the principle of gaining family consent for personal care matters is widely understood in the sector as a best practice approach.

Sector leaders emphasise that incidents affecting family trust, whether substantiated or not, provide an important opportunity for reflection and review. Services may wish to consider the following strategies:

• Clear communication protocols: Establishing consistent processes for gaining and confirming parental consent.
• Staff training and induction: Ensuring all team members understand policies relating to family engagement and personal care.
• Regular policy reviews: Updating policies in consultation with families to reflect current expectations, and ensuring policies are well maintained and easily accessible for both families and educators.
• Age-appropriate resources and equipment: Providing materials suited to children’s developmental stages and supporting safe use.
• Risk assessments: Undertaking regular and relevant risk assessments to identify potential hazards and guide safe practice.
• Teaching children safe use of resources: Embedding age-appropriate education that empowers children to understand and safely engage with equipment.
• Relationship building: Encouraging open conversations with families about their child’s needs, values, and preferences.

As the review continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and transparency between families and early learning providers. Maintaining open communication and clear processes helps ensure that children’s wellbeing remains at the centre of practice, while also supporting strong, respectful partnerships with families.