Sagewood Early Learning: Embedding protective education

With the implementation of Child Safe Standards across early learning services, embedding protective education is more than a compliance requirement, it’s a powerful way to create cultures where children feel safe, valued, and empowered. Sagewood Early Learning is demonstrating how this can be achieved through its partnership with Safe4Kids, setting a positive example for the sector

Since 2020, Sagewood has implemented the Safe4Kids Protective Education Program, developed by Holly-ann Martin, across all its centres. Rather than being taught as a standalone subject, protective education is embedded into daily routines, play, and relationships, ensuring that children absorb these concepts naturally as part of their learning journey.

Through the program, children learn to:

• Recognise Early Warning Signs when something doesn’t feel right;
• Build their own Safety Teams of trusted adults;
• Use clear, confident language to talk about their rights, feelings, and bodies;
• Understand the difference between safe and unsafe secrets, as well as public vs. private spaces and body parts.

As children grow, the learning evolves to include conversations about consent, body autonomy, and personal boundaries. Educators report that children are now confidently using terms like “safe,” “unsafe,” and “private” in their play and conversations, and they feel more comfortable expressing when something isn’t right.

The Safe4Kids program is doing more than preventing abuse, it’s building resilience, communication skills, and emotional wellbeing. Educators have observed improved behaviour, especially around rough play, as children better understand their own and others’ personal space.

Families are also an essential part of the program’s success. Sagewood actively involves parents by sharing resources, conversation guides, and information sessions to help them continue these important discussions at home. This partnership between educators and families ensures that the message of safety and empowerment is reinforced beyond the classroom.

Jay Barr, Sagewood’s founder and Chief Operating Officer, says embedding the program has been transformative:

“Teaching children about body safety, personal space, and consent gives them control over their bodies and decisions. The most important part is helping them build trusting relationships through their Safety Team. This contributes to the safety and wellbeing of every child in our care.”

Educators also value how the program builds their own confidence in using correct terminology for private body parts and addressing sensitive topics openly and appropriately, an important step in supporting children to disclose concerns if they ever need to.

Holly-ann Martin, founder of Safe4Kids, praises Sagewood’s approach:

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Sagewood since 2020. Their dedication to child safety is extraordinary. They haven’t just adopted our resources, they’ve invested in comprehensive staff training across every centre, ensuring educators have the knowledge and confidence to support children effectively.

Their leadership in embedding child abuse prevention education is truly inspiring. This passion for creating safe environments will have a lasting impact on countless children.”

Sagewood’s work with Safe4Kids demonstrates how protective education can be embedded as part of everyday practice, meeting the expectations of Child Safe Standards while delivering meaningful outcomes for children.

Every child who leaves Sagewood carries with them the ability to speak up, stay safe, and have a voice in the world. In a sector committed to children’s rights and wellbeing, this partnership shows how early learning services can lead the way in creating environments where safety, trust, and empowerment are part of the culture.

To read more about Safe4Kids visit the website here, follow on Facebook and Facebook Community page with free resources or Instagram and access Songs about consent via safe4kidssongs.