Elevating child safety & educator well being 

The early childhood education sector is trusted with the care of young children every day, making child safety, compliance and educator wellbeing essential.

Young Academics Early Learning Centre has partnered with the Mummy Safety Security Project to deliver practical training and professional development for staff, alongside child safety education tailored for children that supports school readiness. The partnership reinforces Young Academics’ commitment to safe, nurturing environments for children, families and educators.

CEO Ian Fionda said the collaboration reflects the organisation’s strong focus on safety.

“Child safety is our most important responsibility. Families trust us every day, and we take that seriously. Our aim is to create the safest possible environments while equipping educators with the skills and confidence they need.”

Continuous Improvement driving best practice

At the centre of the program is a strong focus on child safety, compliance obligations and best practice, helping educators apply these in daily work. It encourages educators to think deeply about everyday interactions, reinforcing that child safety begins with awareness, communication and action.

The training includes real-world insights from law enforcement experience that highlight why clear processes matter and bring meaning to “See something, say something,” helping staff respond confidently to concerns.

Mr Fionda noted the importance of this training for continuous improvement:

“As the sector evolves, providers must keep learning and raising standards. This partnership is another step in that journey.”

Connection before correction

A key idea of the program is “connection before correction.” In early childhood education, behaviour is often a form of communication. When educators build strong, trusting relationships with children, they are better able to understand what a child may be feeling and how best to support them. This approach creates calmer environments where children feel heard, valued and understood. 

Child-focused programs like My Body, My Rules teach Protective Behaviours such as boundaries, personal safety and speaking to trusted adults. Repeated conversations and key words help children understand their bodies cues and empower them to respond to unsafe situations. 

One educator shared: “It was great to observe the children’s engagement and curiosity throughout the session, actively encouraged to participate in the experience that help build their understanding and confidence.”

Supporting educator wellbeing

The program recognises that educator wellbeing is closely linked to child safety. Educators do important and demanding work every day. By strengthening emotional awareness, team connection and confidence, educators are better equipped to provide safe, calm and responsive care.

One educator shared: “The training has helped us reflect on safety in everyday moments. It’s helped our team feel more confident, more aware and more prepared to speak up,  supporting each other to provide nurturing and child safe environments.”

A whole-centre approach

The collaboration between Young Academics and Mummy Safety Security Project is a strong example of how early learning providers can go beyond basic compliance.  By integrating safety training, wellbeing and practical tools, it supports a whole-centre approach to protecting children.

“We’re proud to work with partners who share our commitment like Mia and the Mummy Safety Security Project who are extremely passionate and strong advocates for child safety,” Mr Fionda said. “This is about doing the right thing for children, supporting our educators and building trust with families.”