Montessori Academy unites over 25 years of child safety practice under Seven-Pillar Framework

Montessori Academy has brought together more than 25 years of child safety practice under its Seven-Pillar Safety System, uniting the safeguards, practices, systems and accountabilities developed and strengthened across the organisation over that time.

The framework provides one clear, shared approach to child safety across more than 70 services in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. 

At its centre is one unambiguous principle: the best interests of every child, at the centre of every decision.

Montessori Academy CEO and Co-Founder Charles Assaf said the Seven Pillars make clear that child safety is not the responsibility of one person, policy or team. 

"Our Seven Pillars framework builds on strong foundations established and continually strengthened over more than two decades,” Mr Assaf said. 

“They connect the people, practices, systems and accountabilities that protect children every day, from who we recruit and how we train, to how we supervise, listen, respond and govern.

“Child safety is never something an organisation can consider finished. Standards must continue to evolve. Systems must continue to be tested. Our people must continue to learn.”

A central feature of the framework is layered protection, multiple safeguards designed to work together so that child safety never depends on a single person, process or point of failure.

Chief Operating Officer Rami Nassif said child safety should never depend on one person noticing one thing at exactly the right moment.

“That is why we build layers of protection, checks, systems, oversight and trained professional judgement working together. The stronger the layers, the stronger the protection around every child,” Mr Nassif said.

Head of Quality and Safety Kellie Osborn said the framework gives every leader and educator a clear test for the decisions they make.

“Whether it is a staffing decision, a compliance matter, an operational decision or a difficult conversation, we expect our team members to come back to one fundamental question: Is this in the best interests of the child?” Ms Osborn said.

“That question should guide what we do, how we respond and the standard we accept.”

The framework also places a strong emphasis on speaking up, transparency and children’s voices, recognising that strong child-safe cultures depend on concerns being raised early and children knowing they have the right to be heard. 

Head of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Nicolle Nasr said transparency is fundamental to safeguarding.

“A strong child-safe culture depends on people having the confidence to speak up and knowing they will be heard,” Ms Nasr said.

“Our expectation is clear: see something, stop it, say something. Concerns should be raised early, taken seriously and acted upon without fear or hesitation.”

The seven pillar safety system

1. Prevention Through Rigorous Recruitment & Screening

Preventing harm before it reaches a child

Child safety begins with the right people. Rigorous recruitment, screening and verification processes help ensure that only suitable, child-safe individuals have access to children.

2. Capability Through Training

Equipping every educator with the knowledge to act

Ongoing training ensures educators understand their responsibilities, recognise risks and respond appropriately to protect children.

3. Layered Protection Through Integrated Safety Systems

Strong systems support safe people

Multiple and interconnected safeguards work together to strengthen child safety and reduce reliance on any single control.

4. Active Supervision as the Most Important Practice

Safety is actively monitored, never assumed

Children are safest when educators remain present, attentive and actively engaged in their environment.

5. A Culture of Speaking Up and Transparency

Protecting children is everyone's responsibility

Creating confidence to recognise concerns, intervene early and ensure every issue is raised, heard and acted upon.

6. Empowering Children's Voices

Protective behaviours, inclusion and family partnerships

Supporting children to understand their rights, use their voice and seek help, while partnering with families to create safe, inclusive environments where every child feels seen, heard and respected.

7. Strong Governance and Accountability

Acting immediately, transparently and decisively

Strong leadership, oversight and continuous improvement ensure child safety remains embedded in every decision, every action and every day.

The Seven-Pillar Safety System aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and relevant Child Safe Standards.

Montessori Academy will continue investing in the people, capability, systems and governance that underpin the framework, with one enduring objective: every child is safe, known, valued, respected and empowered to thrive.

Montessori Academy is a leading provider of Montessori early childhood education and care, operating more than 70 services across New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

For more than 25 years, Montessori Academy has been committed to providing safe, high-quality education and care and giving children strong foundations for life.