Strengthening child safety: First Academy unites educators, families, and community

Child safety has long been a central focus at First Academy Early Education Service in Girraween. The recent legislative changes and extensive media coverage surrounding child safety, particularly cases of child sexual abuse have heightened the responsibility placed on early childhood services across Australia. In response, First Academy has taken a proactive and community-driven approach to ensuring children experience safer, more supportive environments.

The organization acknowledges that the current climate can significantly affect staff morale, professional resilience, and the trust families place in early childhood services. Despite these challenges, First Academy’s leadership has demonstrated strong commitment and transparency. Parent–educators Info Night was organised on Wednedsay, 12 November 2025 to reassure families about supervision practices and to reinforce the service’s ongoing dedication to maintaining a child-safe environment. These efforts have played a crucial role in preserving open communication and trust within the community.

Recently, First Academy hosted a Parent Information Night that brought together families, educators, neighbors, and members of the wider Girraween community. This inclusive initiative extended beyond current service users to also engage families previously enrolled at the service, a testament to First Academy’s community-centered approach.

During the event, the Approved Provider outlined the importance of adopting Situational Prevention Strategies to reduce potential risks. These strategies include both environmental and procedural safeguards, such as enhancing natural surveillance, establishing clear guidelines for physical contact, and embedding proactive measures into everyday practice. The Approved Provider discussed the service’s major environmental redesign, aimed at enhancing natural surveillance and supervision to create a safer, more secure space for children to learn, explore, and play.

Such approaches align closely with the Child Safe Standards, which remain a high priority for First Academy’s leadership team. The standards emphasize staff conduct, community involvement, equity, and shared responsibility in building safer environments for children.

The Approved Provider also highlighted the role of protective factors in empowering children, such as safety continuums, safety networks, and age-appropriate body safety education. Resources from the SAFE Series, SAFE Series posters and activities were shared with families to support children in recognizing safe and unsafe situations. The discussion further included eSafety strategies, with a focus on emerging programs designed specifically for children under five eSafety program for under 5s.

The Approved Provider took bold leadership to empower families, giving parents the knowledge they need to make safer choices when selecting an early childhood service. Ray unveiled the “Child Safe guide for parents and carers” equipping families with clear, practical tools to strengthen their awareness, sharpen their instincts, and confidently identify child-safe environments for their children.

First Academy’s comprehensive and forward-thinking approach reflects its strong belief that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility between services, families, and the broader community. Through continued education, open dialogue, and evidence-based strategies, the organization is helping set a benchmark for child safety across the sector.

Written by Approved Provider of First Academy – Girraween– Ghassan Abosh (Ray). Serving and running First Academy,  Girraween for over 20 years, Ray has quietly nurtured generations of children with care and dedication. As a passionate approved provider, they’ve created a vibrant, nurturing space where children thrive, families connect, and learning is an adventure. Their dedication sets the gold standard in early childhood care.