Keeping your child safe

Child protection

Everyone at Goodstart is committed to the protection and physical, social, emotional and intellectual wellbeing of your child. If any of our staff suspect that a child is at risk of harm, or has sustained actual harm, they will notify the relevant child protection authority, in accordance with state legislation and organisational protocols. All of our educators have appropriate working with children certifications.

Keeping all children safe

You can help ensure our children are protected from risk at all times by:

• Securely closing all gates and doors behind you as you enter and exit the rooms, buildings, playgrounds and premises of your child’s centre.
• Not leaving any children in the car when collecting your child.
• Being conscious of children’s safety when using the car park and driveway entries and exits.
• By ensuring the following items are removed from your child’s bag and either taken home with you or handed to Goodstart staff member:
  •  Medications (including Panadol and Bonjella).
  •  Creams.
  •  Sharp items such as hypodermic needles.
  •  Safety pins, rubber bands, hair clips, etc.
  •  Plastic bags.
  •  Any other items that could potentially cause harm to a child.
• Keeping your contact details up-to-date for emergency contact.

Child–related accidents and injuries

All Goodstart employees follow strict health and safety guidelines and procedures to ensure the safety of our children, and the required number of first–aid–qualified staff are on the premises at all times to take immediate action if an incident should happen. In the event of any child–related incidents, we follow strict procedures:

• The incident is recorded on an illness/injury report, which will be prepared for you to read and sign at the end of your child’s day. This report provides you with transparency about anything that has happened to your child in our care, and us with a record that will help us make any necessary changes to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring again. A copy of the report will be provided to you.
• We may also call you following an incident to let you know what has happened. Only if necessary, will you be asked to collect your child.
• If your child requires medical treatment beyond immediate first aid, and we are unable to contact you, we will ensure your child is appropriately cared for. This may include contacting the person you have identified as your emergency contact or calling an ambulance. This is why it is very important to make sure your emergency contact and authorised nominee information is up-to-date at all times. Any medical/transport costs incurred, including ambulance fees, will be at your expense.
• If your child has sustained an injury at home and there is a concern the injury may be made worse by your child’s attendance at our centre, we may request a medical clearance letter (or certificate) from a medical practitioner before your child can return to our program.

Infectious diseases and unwell children

This sign was made by a child at the Red Hill Goodstart centre when another child at the centre was sick.

If an infectious disease is suspected or identified, our staff are obligated to act quickly to minimise the risk of transmission:

• If your child is showing signs of illness or infectious disease while in our care, we will contact you and request that you collect your child.
• If your child is unwell, we encourage you to make alternative arrangements for their care to ensure he or she is comfortable.
• Anyone with or displaying the signs of an infectious disease will be excluded from the learning environment for the period recommended by ‘Staying Healthy’² or until a medical practitioner has provided a clearance letter to state they are no longer infectious and are well enough to return to the program.
• If your child is suspected of having, or has been confirmed to have an infectious disease, please notify your Centre Director so that appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, families and staff members.
• If there is any infectious disease in the centre, we will let you know promptly (whilst respecting strict confidentiality) by placing a notice in each room detailing the condition, or by personally contacting you.
• To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, we encourage families to fully immunise their children in accordance with the Department of Health and Ageing National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule. (Please click here to view Policies and Procedures section.)
• We also encourage everyone who enters or leaves our centres to wash and dry their hands properly.

Sun safety

It’s important for all our educators and children to receive a healthy Ultra Violet (UV) exposure and to be suitably protected from sun damage at the same time. Our educators always model sun-safe behaviour and promote sun protection measures to help children learn about sun safety, and everyone is encouraged to wear hats and suitable clothing in outdoor environments.

To make certain your child is suitably protected from the sun, please provide them with the following items:

• A sun–safe hat that protects your child’s face, neck and ears. A legionnaire, broad– brimmed or bucket hat is suitable. Baseball caps do not have broad brims or cover your child’s neck so do not provide sufficient protection and would not be a suitable hat for outdoor play.

• Protective clothing that covers as much of your child’s skin as possible.

• If your child has known skin allergies to certain sunscreens, we ask you provide a suitable alternative to ensure they are comfortable and that you have peace of mind.