Our commitment
We are committed to creating environments where every child feels genuinely safe, respected, and empowered to speak up. This page explains how we implement that commitment in practice, across all of our centres in Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong.
We comply with all 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards and the National Quality Framework, and we hold ourselves to a standard that goes beyond what is required — because families deserve more than compliance.
Vetted Educators
Every team member holds a current Working With Children Check and completes mandatory child safety training before working with children.
Safe Environments
Our centres are designed and maintained to minimise risk, with secure entry, supervised outdoor spaces, and regular safety audits.
Open with Families
We actively involve families in child safety. If you have a concern — no matter how small — we want to hear it, and we will act on it.
Legal framework
National Quality Framework (NQF)
The National Quality Framework, administered by ACECQA, sets the national standard for education and care services in Australia. Quality Area 2 — Children's Health and Safety — requires services to promote the safety, health, and wellbeing of each child. Our centres are assessed and rated against the NQF, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding its requirements.
Victoria's 11 Child Safe Standards
Since 1 July 2022, all early childhood services in Victoria are required by law to comply with the 11 Child Safe Standards, regulated by the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA). Jenny's ELC is fully committed to implementing all 11 Standards across every centre.
The 11 Child Safe Standards
How we apply each standard at Jenny's ELC.
Cultural Safety for Aboriginal Children
Culturally safe environments for Aboriginal children and young people.
We acknowledge and celebrate the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate. Our programs incorporate First Nations perspectives, and we welcome and respect the cultural identities of all children and families.
Child Safety in Leadership & Governance
Child safety and wellbeing embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Child safety is a standing agenda item at leadership meetings. Our Centre Directors are responsible for child safe culture at each service, and our organisational values explicitly include child safety.
Children's Empowerment
Children are empowered about their rights and participate in decisions affecting them.
We teach children about body safety, consent, and the right to say no. Children's voices are actively sought in program planning, and we take every concern a child raises seriously.
Families & Community Involvement
Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety.
Families receive our Child Safety Policy on enrolment. We communicate openly about safety matters and actively encourage families to raise any concern — no matter how small — with their Centre Director.
Equity & Diverse Needs
Equity is upheld and diverse needs are respected in policy and practice.
Our policies and practices are inclusive of children with additional needs, diverse cultural backgrounds, and varied family structures. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form.
Suitable & Supported Staff
People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety values.
Every educator and volunteer holds a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). We conduct thorough reference checks and induction processes, and no person works with children without appropriate screening.
Child-Focused Complaints Processes
Processes for complaints and concerns are child-focused.
We have a clear, accessible complaints process. All concerns are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and responded to with transparency. Families can raise concerns directly with their Centre Director or Regional Support Manager.
Child Safety Training
Staff are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe.
All educators complete mandatory child safety and child protection training. This training is updated regularly and is a condition of employment at Jenny's ELC.
Safe Physical & Online Environments
Physical and online environments promote safety and minimise opportunity for harm.
Our centres feature secure entry systems, supervised outdoor environments, and are regularly audited for physical safety. We have clear policies on the use of technology and digital safety.
Continuous Review & Improvement
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
We conduct regular reviews of our child safe practices, policies, and procedures. We actively seek feedback from families and educators to continuously improve.
Documented Policies & Procedures
Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children.
Our Child Safety Policy, Code of Conduct, Complaints Policy, and related procedures are documented, accessible to all staff and families, and reviewed annually.
Working With Children Checks
Every educator. No exceptions.
Every person who works with children at Jenny's ELC — including educators, directors, volunteers, and contractors who have direct contact with children — is required to hold a current Victorian Working With Children Check (WWCC) before commencing work. This is a non-negotiable requirement at every one of our centres.
We verify the currency of WWCCs at the point of hire and monitor them on an ongoing basis. No exceptions are made.
Verify a WWCC onlineMandatory reporting
All Jenny's ELC educators and directors are mandatory reporters under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic). This means that if any member of our team forms a reasonable belief that a child has been or is at risk of being abused or neglected, they are legally required to report this to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection.
We take this obligation seriously. Our educators receive training in recognising indicators of abuse and neglect, and our Centre Directors provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure mandatory reporting obligations are understood and met.
Code of conduct
Jenny's ELC has a clear Code of Conduct that applies to all educators, directors, volunteers, and contractors. The Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of everyone who works with children in our care.
Treating every child with dignity, respect, and care
Never using physical punishment or emotionally harmful language
Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times
Reporting any concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing immediately
Never being alone with a child in an unsupervised setting without a legitimate reason
Actively supporting children to understand and assert their rights
Raise a concern
We actively encourage families, children, and community members to raise any concern about child safety. There is no such thing as an unimportant concern when it comes to the safety of a child. We will never penalise anyone for raising a genuine concern.
Speak to your Centre Director
Your Centre Director is your first point of contact. They are trained to respond to child safety concerns with care and urgency.
Contact your Regional Support Manager
If you are not comfortable speaking with your Centre Director, or if your concern relates to a director, contact the Regional Support Manager for your region.
Contact the regulator directly
You can also contact the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) directly at any time. You do not need to speak with us first.
Our policies
The following policies govern child safety at Jenny's ELC. All policies are available on request from your Centre Director.
All policies are reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in legislation, regulation, and best practice. This page was last reviewed in 2026.