Statement of Commitment to the Child Safe Policy
Ferntree Gully 3 Year Old Preschool is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and, as such, is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe and child friendly environment.
We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to actively contributing to a child safe Kindergarten where children are protected from abuse.
Our commitment to the safety of children is based on our duty of care and responsibilities to children, always acting in their best interests and is reflected in our Kindergarten’s philosophy.
Our commitment to the children in our care will be enacted through our Child Safe Policy:
Our Commitment to Children
We are committed to ensuring children feel safe, empowered and are taken seriously if they raise concerns in relation to their safety and wellbeing.
We value and support diversity, inclusion and equality. In acknowledgment of the particular vulnerabilities of these groups of children, and in accordance with the child safe standards, we particularly support:
- the cultural safety of Indigenous Australian children and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,
- the participation and empowerment of children with a disability,
- the safety of trans and gender diverse children and their families and ensuring that LGBTQI+ children and families feel included.
Our Commitment to Staff and Volunteers
We are committed to ensuring staff, the committee of management, volunteers and contractors, depending on the nature of their role, understand that child safety is everyone’s responsibility.
We will ensure staff, the committee of management and volunteers are provided with the necessary support to fulfil their obligations in relation to child safety.
We will ensure staff, the committee of management and volunteers are educated in child safety including abuse risks and how to interact and behave with children.
All employees of Ferntree Gully 3 Year Old Preschool, including work experience students, agency staff, volunteers and independent contractors whilst at our service must abide by our Code of Conduct which specifies the standard of conduct required when working with children.
Expectations in relation to behaviour are outlined in our Code of Conduct Policy:
Our Commitment to ensuring a Child Safe Orginisation
Recruitment
We will ensure all staff and volunteers who work with children have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and that there is an appropriate screening process for staff and volunteers that work with children including interview guides, advertisements and selection criteria which clearly demonstrate our commitment to child safety.
Training and Supervision
We will ensure all new and existing employees understand the importance of protecting children from harm. This will be supported through induction, training and professional development.
We will ensure staff understand the process for reporting any child safety issues and are supported by Ferntree Gully Preschool’s appointed Child Safety Team.
Reporting
All allegations and concerns in relation to children’s safety will be taken seriously and will be investigated fairly and appropriately.
Ferntree Gully 3 Year Old Preschool’s Committee of Management supports and encourages our employees to proactively report any behaviour deemed to be endangering the safety of children.
We have a designated Child Safety Team, who is available to support staff with any child safety concerns and to safely disclose risks of harm to children.
Reportable incidents and complaints are notified to the relevant authority.
Child Safety Team
A Child Safety Team has been established at our Preschool to oversee the implementation of the Child Safe Policy and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to respond to concerns about the wellbeing and safety of children. This team is the first point of contact for reporting any concerns and any questions that you may have regarding our Kindergarten’s Child Safe Policy and Program.
For matters that cause you concern, please contact one of our Child Safety Officers as follows:
Heather Tolmachev – Educator & Nominated Supervisor
ferntreegully3yearoldpreschool@hotmail.com
Jenn Whiteling – President of The Committee of Management
president@ftg3yopreschool.com.au
The protection of children is the responsibility of everyone involved at Ferntree Gully 3 Year Old Preschool Inc. including staff, parents and volunteers. We all share the responsibility for promoting the wellbeing and safety of children.
Whenever there are concerns that a child is in immediate danger, the Police should be called on 000.