All early childhood services are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards. The Child Safe Standards are designed to ensure that organisations that work with children take steps to create a culture of child safety and protect children from all forms of abuse.

What are the Child Safe Standards?

Standard 1: Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.

Standard 3: Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Standard 5: Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

Standard 6: People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.

Standard 7: Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.

Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.

Standard 9: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.

Standard 10: Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.

Standard 11: Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

For more information on the Child Safe standards, visit https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards

This term we will continue implementing our Bush Kinder program and our Community Walks. The children love being able to get out into the natural environment, exploring their learning as they connect to community, the land and the nature that surrounds us.

Our Bush Kinder excursions and Community Walks are planned to enhance the children’s learning, our educational programs and strengthen our community connections.

To find out more about our excursions, community walks and educational program, please contact the Centre at info@awelc.com.au or through our Contact us page.

The new AWELC site is live

We’ve been working on a brand new site over the last couple of months, which we’re committed to updating and keeping relevant.

As you’re probably now aware, the new site now has a blog. We’ll be using this as a place to update parents/guardians on the following type of content:

• Things happening around the centre
• Important changes to Government funding
• Updates to programs, curriculum etc
• New versions of documents and policies

Given the site is recently deployed, we would appreciate it if you find any problems around the site, that you let us know by email so we can fix it.

Thanks!

Kristy