Safety Woven Into Who We Are
At Perfect Start, the safety, well-being, and dignity of every child in our care is our highest priority. Child safety isn’t simply a policy for us; it’s woven into who we are in every moment of your child’s day.
QLD Child Safety Standards Compliant
Your Child's Safety Is Our Constant Commitment.
From the way our spaces are laid out to the way our educators are inducted and supported, safety lives in every moment of your child’s day. Families trust us because we take this responsibility seriously, act with openness and honesty, and lead with genuine care.
We believe children flourish when they feel safe, not only physically, but emotionally, socially and culturally.
Every child who walks through our doors at Birkdale, Mary St, Capalaba and Crestmead deserves to feel secure, respected, heard and free to be themselves. That belief shapes everything we do, every single day.
Our Commitment
At Perfect Start Early Education, the safety, wellbeing and best interests of every child are paramount.
Every decision we make, every interaction we have and every environment we create is guided by one question:
“Is this in the best interests of the child?”
We are committed to creating child safe organisations where children are protected from harm, respected as individuals, listened to and empowered to participate in decisions that affect them.
Child safety is not simply a compliance requirement.
It is our culture.
Our Paramountcy Principle
The rights, safety, wellbeing and best interests of children always come before operational convenience, staffing challenges, financial considerations or adult preferences.
Where there is uncertainty, we always choose the option that best protects children.
Reportable Conduct
Perfect Start complies with the Queensland Reportable Conduct Scheme. Where concerns are raised regarding the conduct of any worker, volunteer or contractor, we:
Immediately act to protect children
Assess immediate risk
Notify the relevant authorities where required
Conduct independent investigations
Support affected children and families
Continuously improve our practices
We take every allegation seriously. Every concern is investigated. Every child is protected.
Perfect Start embeds all ten Queensland Child Safe Standards through:
- leadership
- governance
- child participation
- family partnerships
- culturally safe practice
- safe recruitment
- complaints management
- ongoing education
- continuous improvement
- implementation review
How We Respond
Our Village of Safety
Every person in the Perfect Start community, educator, family member or visitor, plays an active role in keeping children safe.
Our Circle of Safety gives everyone a clear, practised way to prevent, identify and respond to any concern.
Our Promise
Every child deserves to feel safe.
Every child deserves to be heard.
Every child deserves to belong.
Every child deserves adults who will protect them.
At Perfect Start Early Education, this is our promise to every child, every family and every community we serve.
Because nothing is more important than keeping children safe.
EYES OPEN
Our educators actively maintain safe environments and are trained to recognise the signs of abuse, neglect and harm. Vigilance isn’t occasional; it’s constant, practised every single day across all of our centres.
HEARTS IN
When a child shares a worry, we Listen, Reassure and Respect — taking every disclosure seriously and responding with calm, trauma-informed care. We act to protect the child first, without hesitation.
VOICES HEARD
We uphold clear, child-focused reporting obligations. Any concern — no matter how small, is escalated through our reporting pathways to the right people, including the relevant authorities where required.
Perfect Start, An Amazing Environment for Children
What Sets Us Apart
Safe Recruitment
Thorough screening, Perfect Start checks and verifies references.
Training on
Induction
Staff learn to recognise, report, and prevent child abuse/neglect in line with legal obligations and centre policy.
Clear Policies
Robust child protection, code of conduct and reporting systems.
Children’s Voices
We encourage children to be heard, respected, and safe.
Safe Environments
Regular audits, secure spaces, and vigilant supervision.
Family Partnerships
We welcome feedback, questions, and open communication.
Our Approach To Child Safety
What you can always expect at Perfect Start
These are not aspirations—they are our daily standards. They guide every interaction, every learning experience, and every decision we make, every day.
Across all of our centres, families can expect a consistent commitment to providing safe, nurturing and enriching environments where children are treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Through strong relationships, thoughtful practices and a shared commitment to excellence, we create spaces where every child feels secure, valued and supported to learn, grow and thrive.
These standards are embedded in our culture and upheld by every member of our team—because every child deserves the very best, every room, every day.
Active Supervision
Eyes and ears on your child at all times
Our educators are trained in active supervision — positioning, scanning, counting and listening so they can respond the moment your child needs them. Ratios are our minimum, never our limit.
Safe Environments
Spaces designed for visibility and safety
Open sightlines, clear supervision windows that are never covered over, secure fences and gates, and daily safety checks. Our centres at Birkdale, Mary St, Capalaba and Crestmead are all purpose-designed with safety first — and equipment and soft-fall surfaces are checked against Australian Standards every day before children play.
Open Communication
You are always in the loop
If a concern arises about your child’s safety or wellbeing, you’ll hear it from us promptly and honestly. We follow a clear, child-focused complaints process and keep families updated. There are no hidden conversations about your child.
Emotional Safety
Kindness, dignity and respect, always
Emotional safety is as important to us as physical safety. We understand behaviour as communication, and our responses are always calm, consistent and caring — guided by our Code of Conduct and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics.
Online & Image Safety
Clear rules around devices and photos
Personal phones, smart watches and devices are never used while educators are working with children. Photos and observations are only ever taken on service devices, and we manage online environments in line with our Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Media Policy
and Procedure.
The People Who Care for Your Child
Care Begins with Exceptional Educators
The greatest influence on a child’s sense of safety and belonging is the people who care for them each day. That is why we are intentional in how we recruit, screen and welcome every educator into the Perfect Start family.
We carefully select professionals who share our values, demonstrate genuine care for children and are committed to providing the highest standards of education and care. Every team member undergoes rigorous screening and reference checks and is supported through a thorough induction process, ensuring they are equipped to uphold our commitment to child safety, wellbeing and quality practice.
Because creating safe, nurturing environments begins with having exceptional people.
Day One
Screening & Verification
Before anyone is offered a role, we verify a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check), confirm their right to work, and check their qualifications. No educator begins until these are confirmed and recorded.
Week One
Comprehensive Child Protection Induction
Our Educator completes our full child protection training program covering recognition of signs of abuse and neglect, mandatory reporting obligations, responding to disclosures, our Child Safety Framework and our Code of Conduct.
Ongoing
Coaching, Practice & Reflection
Our leadership team is hands-on and present. Our educators
receive regular coaching,
reflective practice
opportunities and real-time
feedback. Child
safety expectations are
reviewed, not just assumed.
Annual
Mandatory Annual Refresher Training
Child protection knowledge is refreshed every year because laws, standards and best practices evolve, and your skills need to keep pace. Educators complete training on child safety and child protection in line with government regulations and best-practice guidelines.
Empowering Children
Children's Voices Matter
A child who feels confident to speak up is a child who is safer. We actively help children understand their rights, make choices and know that a trusted adult will always listen.
A Right to Feel Safe
Children learn their rights, gently
In age-appropriate ways, children learn that they have the right to feel safe, that their body belongs to them, and that it’s always okay to say no or ask for help.
Real Choices
A genuine say in their day
We invite children to share their thoughts, make decisions and help set safety rules in their rooms. When children exercise agency, they build confidence, independence and the skills to keep themselves safe.
Always Taken Seriously
Their worries are never brushed aside
When a child raises a concern, we listen, reassure and respect every time. Children are encouraged to talk to educators they trust, and we make sure they know who those trusted adults are.
Kindness & Friendship
Learning to look out for each other
We nurture friendships, kindness and empathy, and share age-appropriate anti-bullying message, helping children build the warm, respectful relationships that make everyone feel they belong.
Every child feels safe, valued and understood
True safety is about more than the physical. It’s emotional, social and cultural too. We’re committed to warm, inclusive environments where every child feels they belong, exactly as they are.
Emotional Safety
Supported through big feelings
Children are never shamed, threatened or frightened. We understand behaviour as communication and support children through big emotions with patience and empathy — helping them build emotional regulation, resilience and problem-solving over time.
Belonging for Everyone
Diversity respected and celebrated
We welcome and value every child, whatever their background, identity, ability or culture. Our environments, resources and experiences reflect the diverse families in our community, so every child sees themselves represented.
Cultural Safety
Honouring every child's identity
We respect and celebrate the identities and cultures of all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and work to create culturally safe, responsive spaces where every child feels seen.
Tailored Support
Meeting each child's individual needs
We partner with families and, where helpful, external professionals to support children with additional needs — so every child has what they need to learn, grow and thrive alongside their friends.
A Two-Way Partnership
How families help keep every child safe
Fostering a community within Perfect Start is of the utmost importance to us. We regard our children, parents and educators as extended family and place great emphasis on developing strong connections between them.
This strong partnership is a cornerstone of our philosophy and from the very outset, we make every effort to ensure that children undergo the settling in process with a minimum of disruption.
Child safety works best when families and educators work as a team. Here’s how you play a vital part.
Tell Us Early
Share what we need to know
Let us know about medical conditions, allergies, custody arrangements or anything affecting your child’s safety before they start — and keep us updated as things change.
Stay Involved
Your voice shapes our practice
We invite families to help review our policies and to share feedback, ideas and concerns. You’re always welcome to ask questions of your Centre Manager.
Promote Safety
Safe habits at home and here
Talking with your child about feeling safe, asking for help and being kind to friends reinforces the very same messages we share every day at the centre.
Raise Concerns
No concern is ever too small
If something doesn’t feel right, please tell us. We’ll listen respectfully, take it seriously, and follow it through; that’s our promise to you.
Raising A Concern
Something doesn’t feel right?
We encourage every family to share any concern, no matter how small. We operate a “See Something, Say Something” culture: your instincts matter, and we will always take them seriously.
Reviews and Experiences
How to
report a concern
You can report a concern about any child’s safety or well-being at any time. We ask that you provide your details when reporting; this isn’t about accountability, it’s about making sure we can investigate properly and act quickly. All information is handled confidentially and sensitively.
Centre Manager
Speak directly with your Centre Manager at your Perfect Start location
Operations Manager
Speak directly with our Operations Manager at your Perfect Start location
- Immediate Danger
- Call 000
- Police & Emergency Services