Our pledge
At Meraki Early Learning Centre, we are unwavering in our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all children, team members and their families. We firmly believe that every child deserves to grow and thrive in an environment that promotes their wellbeing, safety, dignity and cultural identity.
Our commitment to child and cultural safety is not just a policy; it is a core value that guides our actions every day. We promote the identity of each individual child and take a strength-based approach to children's learning and development. We will continually educate our team, volunteers, and families on these principles and engage in ongoing conversations to ensure that we live up to these commitments.
We invite the entire Meraki community to join us in this pledge, as together we strive to create a nurturing, inclusive, and safe environment where every child can grow, learn, and flourish. We will continuously review and improve our policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that we fulfill this commitment in the best possible way.
We pledge to maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse, racism, bullying, and anti-social behaviours, and we wholeheartedly commit to upholding the following principles:
Our Commitment
These six principles guide everything we do — from the way we design our spaces and routines, to how we recruit and train our educators, to the conversations we have with children and families every day.
Child Safety
We prioritise the safety of every child involved in our programs, experiences, or services. We are dedicated to creating and maintaining a secure and nurturing space where children are protected from harm, neglect, and exploitation. Our team members are trained to recognise signs of abuse and neglect and take appropriate actions in accordance with the law and our internal policies. We take a proactive approach to teaching children about body safety and consent.
Cultural Safety
We respect and celebrate the rich diversity of cultures and backgrounds represented within our community including but not limited to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every child can express their cultural identity, and where cultural safety and responsiveness is upheld as a fundamental right. Discrimination and cultural insensitivity will not be tolerated.
Zero Tolerance to Child Abuse
We will not tolerate any form of child abuse, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. All suspicions, allegations, or reports of child abuse will be taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and reported to the appropriate authorities when required.
Zero Tolerance to Racism
Racism, discrimination, and bias have no place within our organisation. We are committed to addressing and curbing any form of racism, whether overt or subtle, and ensuring that everyone in our community feels valued, respected, and welcomed, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Zero Tolerance to Bullying
Bullying in any form, whether in person or online, is strictly prohibited. We actively promote an environment of kindness, respect, and inclusivity. Bullying incidents will be promptly addressed, with consequences for those responsible and support for all affected.
Zero Tolerance to Anti-Social Behaviours
Any behaviour that is harmful to others or disrupts the safety and well-being of our community will be addressed immediately. We encourage and teach positive social behaviours, conflict resolution, and communication skills to promote a harmonious and supportive environment.
Policies & Resources for Families
Download our family-facing child safety policy and a quick reporting guide. Save them to your phone, print a copy, or pin one to the fridge.
Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy
Family summary — PDF, ~2 pages
The principles, recruitment, code of conduct, training and safety practices we follow to keep every child safe at Meraki.
Download PDFReporting a Concern — Quick Guide
Family quick-reference — PDF, ~2 pages
How and when to raise a concern, who to talk to at Meraki, and key external support numbers (Child Protection, 1800RESPECT, Kids Helpline and more).
Download PDFNeed our full operational policies? Contact your centre and we'll send them to you.
Child Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions families ask about how we keep children safe at Meraki.
How do you screen and recruit your educators?+
Every educator, trainee and volunteer must hold a current Working With Children Check and Police Check before they can work with children. We follow rigorous recruitment processes including reference checks, child-safe interview questions and a thorough induction into our policies and Code of Conduct.
What training do staff receive in child safety?+
All team members complete mandatory training in the Child Safe Standards, mandatory reporting, recognising signs of abuse and neglect, and our internal child safety policies. We also run regular refreshers, reflective practice sessions and team meetings focused on safeguarding.
Are you a mandatory reporter, and how does reporting work?+
Yes. By law, all early childhood educators are mandatory reporters. If a team member has any reasonable concern about a child's safety or wellbeing, they are required to report it to the appropriate authorities (such as Child Protection or Victoria Police), regardless of where the concern originates.
How do you keep the centre physically secure?+
Our centres have secure, monitored entry points, sign-in/out procedures for every adult, and clear collection authorisations for each child. Children are never released to an adult who isn't on their authorised list, and supervision ratios are maintained at all times — indoors and outdoors.
How do you teach children about body safety and consent?+
We use age-appropriate, everyday language to teach children about their bodies, personal boundaries, safe and unsafe touch, and the importance of consent. Children are encouraged to say 'no' or 'stop', to identify trusted adults they can talk to, and to know that their feelings will always be listened to.
How do you support cultural safety, including for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children?+
Cultural safety is embedded in our daily practice. We acknowledge Country, weave First Nations perspectives into our program, celebrate the cultures represented in our community, and partner with families to ensure each child's cultural identity is respected and visible at the centre.
What happens if my child tells me something concerning at home?+
Please come and talk to us. We take every concern seriously and will work with you respectfully and confidentially. Where required, we follow our reporting obligations. Your child's safety always comes first, and we'd rather have a conversation early than miss something important.
How can I raise a concern or make a complaint?+
You can speak with your child's educator, the Room Leader, or contact the Centre Director or Assistant Director directly by phone or email. Complaints are taken seriously, documented, and responded to in line with our complaints policy. You can also contact the Department of Education or the Commission for Children and Young People at any time.
How do you handle photos, devices and online safety?+
Personal mobile phones are not permitted in learning spaces. Photos are taken only on centre-approved devices for documentation and family communication, with permissions recorded at enrolment. We never share images of children publicly without explicit consent from families.
Concerns or questions about child safety?
If you'd ever like to talk to us about our child safety practices, raise a concern, or share feedback, please reach out — we welcome the conversation.