Implementing the Child Safe Standards in Early Childhood Education and Care

All early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in NSW are now required to implement the Child Safe Standards as part of the NSW Child Safe Scheme. These standards provide a framework to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and are designed to help ECEC providers embed a culture of safety across their policies, practices, and day-to-day operations.

The NSW Early Learning Commission, the independent regulator for ECEC in the state, has partnered with the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) to deliver a comprehensive suite of resources to support services in meeting their obligations. These resources are tailored for approved providers, service leaders, and educators across all ECEC service types, and are available free of charge.

The Child Safe Standards are built to uplift capabilities and drive cultural change within child-related organisations. They emphasise leadership accountability, child-focused governance, staff suitability and training, safe environments, and clear complaint-handling procedures. By embedding these standards, services can build trust with families and create safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for children.

One of the key resources available is a set of six e-learning modules offered through the OCG’s online platform. These are designed specifically for different ECEC contexts: centre-based care, outside school hours care (OSHC), and family day care. The first three modules focus on foundational child safe knowledge for all educators, while the final three are designed for service leaders and managers.

Modules include:

1. A Child Safe Service
2. Risk Management in a Child Safe Service
3. Child Safe Reporting for Staff
4. Child Safe Reporting for Leaders
5. Hiring and Managing Child Safe Staff
6. Child Safe Leadership and Policy Creation

These modules offer practical guidance, real-world examples, and interactive elements to help educators understand and apply child safe principles effectively.

To further engage the sector, a podcast miniseries titled Policy and Practice in Focus: An ECEC Child Safe Podcast has been launched. Hosted by OCG, the series features professionals and stakeholders discussing topics such as risk management, children’s voice and choice, and reporting in an ECEC context.

Additionally, short videos are available to promote specific standards. One highlights safe recruitment practices, while another focuses on continuous professional learning—both vital aspects of creating a child safe culture.

All resources have been developed with real-world application in mind. Reflective questions, templates, and policy examples support services to implement the standards meaningfully and sustainably. The program is part of the NSW Early Learning Commission’s Safety and Quality Practice Program, ensuring services are well equipped to meet the 2026 implementation deadline.

Approved providers and educators are encouraged to begin or continue their learning journey now. Access the full suite of tools, training, and support materials here: Implementing the Child Safe Standards – NSW Department of Education

Creating a truly child safe environment takes more than policies, it requires education, reflection, and cultural change. These resources can make that goal more achievable for every ECEC service.