Safeguarding Children at Coombs Early Learning

Every family trusts us with the most important person in their world. Here is how we protect that trust every single day.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Safeguarding children is not just a policy document at Coombs; it is the foundation on which everything else is built. Our centre was founded on the belief that children deserve to be genuinely listened to, respected, and protected.

Our approach to child safety is active, not passive. We rigorously train our team, review our practices regularly, and foster a culture where every child’s safety is a shared responsibility.

“Safeguarding the children in our care is the most important thing we do. We want every family at Coombs to feel completely confident that their child is protected, respected, and in safe hands every single day.”

Coombs Early Learning, Leadership Team

The ACT Child Safe Standards

From August 2024, all early learning centres in the ACT must meet the 10 ACT Child Safe Standards. At Coombs, we actively embed these standards into our daily operations:

Leadership & Culture

Child safety is embedded in our governance and leadership.

Child Empowerment

Children are informed of their rights and taken seriously.

Family Involvement

Families and communities are informed and involved in safety.

Equity & Diversity

Diverse needs are respected and equity is upheld.

Suitable Staff

All team members are rigorously vetted and supported.

Child-Focused Complaints

Our reporting processes are designed for children.

Staff Knowledge

Educators have the skills to identify and prevent harm.

Safe Environments

Physical and online spaces minimize the opportunity for abuse.

Continuous Improvement

We constantly review our implementation of these standards.

Clear Documentation

Our policies clearly outline how we stay child-safe.

You can read more about these requirements on the ACT Human Rights Commission website.

Mandatory Child Safety Training

Every person working or volunteering at Coombs is required to complete mandatory national child safety training via the Australian Government’s Geccko platform. This training is a non-negotiable condition of employment and covers:

Identifying signs of abuse, neglect, or harm.

Responding to child disclosures.

Mandatory reporting obligations under ACT law.

Maintaining professional boundaries with children and families.

Training is refreshed regularly to ensure our team’s knowledge remains current.

Working With Children Checks

We verify the suitability of every adult on-site through a rigorous vetting process before they begin working with children:

  • WWVP Registration: Every educator, volunteer, student, and contractor must hold a current ACT Working With Vulnerable People registration.

  • Reference Checks: Qualifications and professional references are thoroughly verified.

  • Safety Induction: All staff complete an induction on our specific safeguarding policies.

Digital Safety: Photos and Your Child’s Image

We follow the National Model Code regarding child imagery. To ensure the highest level of privacy, we enforce the following protocols:

  • Centre Devices Only: Only centre-issued devices are used for photography; personal mobile phones are prohibited around children.

  • Strict Consent: Families provide consent during enrolment, which can be updated at any time.

  • Privacy-First Sharing: Photos shared via Xplor are not posted to public social media without separate, explicit consent.

  • No Unauthorised External Use: Marketing use of images always requires specific, separate written consent.

How to Raise a Concern

No concern is too small. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing or anything you have observed at our centre, you will be heard without judgment.

Speak with the Centre Manager

Our Manager is available during centre hours at
(02) 6171 5399.

In Writing

You may also use the Contact Us form on our website to put a concern on record.

External Reporting

For immediate risk of harm, contact the ACT Child Protection Line (1300 556 729) or emergency services (000).

Frequently Asked Questions

We take every disclosure seriously. Educators are trained to listen calmly and follow our internal reporting process immediately. We will keep you informed where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Absolutely. Please contact our Centre Manager directly, and they will walk you through our full safeguarding documentation.

Please speak with the Centre Manager as soon as possible. Keeping all children safe is a shared responsibility, and we handle all such matters with full confidentiality.

If an incident directly involves your child, you will always be informed. For broader incidents, we communicate promptly while adhering to our privacy and confidentiality obligations.

We conduct thorough on-site risk assessments before every session. Educator-to-child ratios during Bush Kinder exceed minimum NQF requirements to ensure active, close supervision.

Ready to See Coombs for Yourself?

We’d love to show your family around, introduce you to our team, and answer any questions you have about our safety protocols.