Sample Required Policies

Sample Required Policies

Emergency Management

Emergency situations can arise in and around early childhood settings, and emergencies are just as prevalent in education and care environments as in other environments.

Sample Required Policies

Acceptance and Refusal of Authorisations

The Education and Care Services National Regulations require approved providers to ensure their services have policies and procedures in place in relation to the acceptance and refusal of authorisations. These procedures ensure that required authorisations are obtained and kept in the enrolment record an help to ensure that the health, safety, wellbeing and best interests of all children are met. 

Sample Required Policies

Administration of First Aid

Our early education and care service provides an environment that promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of all children. Policies and procedures for the administration of first aid ensures prompt and appropriate first aid treatment and care in the event of illness, injury or medical emergency.

Sample Required Policies

Providing a Child Safe Environment

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, endorsed by all Australian governments, operationalise laws and regulations pertaining to Child Safe Standards. These principles offer guidance on key actions and performance measures essential for the implementation of these standards in early education and care settings.

Sample Required Policies

Medical Conditions

Clear procedures are required to support the health, wellbeing and inclusion of all children enrolled at the service. Our service practices support the enrolment of children and families with specific health care requirements. Medical conditions include, but are not limited to asthma, diabetes or a diagnosis that a child is at risk of anaphylaxis. In many cases, if not managed appropriately, these can be life threatening.

Sample Required Policies

Excursions

CELA’s draft Excursion Policy supports services to be compliant with the National Law Education and Care Services, National Regulations and Legislative requirements around excursions. 

Sample Required Policies

Enrolment and Orientation

Enrolment and orientation procedures form the foundation for strong relationships between families and early education and care settings and promote a shared vision for quality experiences of education and care for children.

Sample Required Policies

Dealing with Infectious Diseases

The way that children interact with each other and with adults in education and care services means that diseases can quickly spread in a variety of ways. Whilst it is not possible to prevent the spread of all infections and diseases, minimising the risk can be enhanced by implementing appropriate measures. 

Sample Required Policies

Delivery & Collection of Children

Children are considered to be under the care of an education and care service at the point the service is taken to assume responsibility for their care and wellbeing. At this point the National Law and National Regulations apply. 

Sample Required Policies

Transportation of Children

Our education and care service is committed to providing transportation that is carefully planned to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children at all times.

Sample Required Policies

Child Protection

Our service is committed to providing an environment that fosters health, development, spirituality, self-respect and dignity, that is free from violence and exploitation. Under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, children and young people must receive the care and protection necessary to ensure their safety, welfare and wellbeing.

Sample Required Policies

Complaints Handling

Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, an approved provider must ensure that policies and procedures are in place for dealing with complaints (regulation 168) and take reasonable steps to ensure those policies and procedures are followed (regulation 170).

CELA's draft Complaints Policy can support services to cover each requirement.

Sample Required Policies

Sleep and rest for children

All children have individual sleep and rest requirements. Children need a comfortable relaxing environment to enable their bodies to rest. This environment must be safe and well supervised to ensure children are safe, healthy and secure in their environment.

Sample Required Policies

Water Safety

The safety and supervision of children in and around water is of the highest priority. Whilst water hazards at our service are kept to a minimum, we acknowledge that nappy buckets, water troughs, sinks and toilets can all be hazardous for children and diligent supervision is required.

Sample Required Policies

Sun Protection

We are committed to providing an environment that ensures all children, educators and staff are protected from ultraviolet (UV) radiation for all outdoor activities. This policy has been adapted from the Cancer Council Victoria sample SunSmart policy and procedures for early childhood. 

Sample Required Policies

Privacy Collection Statement

This statement outlines the type of personal information collected by this service and how information is acquired, used and shared. We will not sell personal information to any third parties. See our full Privacy and Confidentiality policy for detailed information.

Community Early Learning Australia (CELA) provides these policies as general information and they may be used as a foundation for the development of your own education and care service policy.

Sample Required Policies

Privacy and Confidentiality

Our education and care service recognises and respects the importance of privacy and confidentiality as an individual right and a basis for building partnerships. 

Sample Required Policies

Participation of Volunteers & Students

Our service is committed to providing a safe environment for all children where their health, safety wellbeing is of paramount importance. In order to ensure this is preserved during the engagement of student and volunteers, and in order to remain compliant with regulations and legislation, the service will abide by the strategies and practices outlined in this policy.

Sample Required Policies

Nutrition, Food, Beverages and Dietary Requirements

Under the food safety Code, Child care centres are identified as a category one business handling unpackaged, potentially hazardous food that is ready to eat. These businesses must implement all three food safety management tools (food safety supervisor, food handler training and evidence), to strengthen their management of hazards known to contribute to foodborne illness.

Sample Required Policies

Interactions with Children

This sample policy outlines goals and strategies for interactions with children including children's rights, listening, reflection, role modelling and behavioural management, and the roles and responsibilities of different members of staff.

Sample Required Policies

Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness

The National Regulations require an accurate Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Report to be kept and stored confidentially until the child is 25 years old. Under the national legislation, an education and care service must record details in the Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Report.

Sample Required Policies

Governance and Management

Governance is the system or process by which organisations are directed, controlled and held accountable to ensure that the right decisions are made. Our education and care service recognises the importance of having a framework of rules, relationships, systems and processes within, and by which authority is exercised and controlled in the organisation. We view good governance and management as essential to our provision of quality education and care.

Sample Required Policies

Fees - Child Care Subsidy Services

Our service has a commitment to ensuring our fees are as affordable as possible and that all families have access to any subsidies that are available to reduce these fees. The setting and payment of fees takes into account all requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, Australian Tax Office, Privacy Act and the guidelines contained within the Child Care Provider Handbook.

Sample Required Policies

Determining the Responsible Person

This sample policy outlines how the responsible person is determined and the different roles and responsibilities of the approved provider, nominated supervisor and person in day to day charge.

Sample Required Policies

Professional Standards and Ethical Conduct

Our Education and Care services is committed to a code of professional conduct, upholding ethical principles and professional standards that guide decision-making and practice at the service.