Child Safety is our top priority

At Big Bear Academy, the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child in our care is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a culture of vigilance, respect, trust and transparency, embedding child safety into every aspect of our service.

We acknowledge our legal and moral responsibilities under NSW and national law, including the Child Safe Standards under the NSW Child Safe Scheme, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and the Children (Care and Protection) Act as well as the UN Rights of the Child and Child Safety Standards.

We believe every child deserves to feel safe, be heard, and be safeguarded from any form of harm or neglect.

Embedding Child Safety in Our Leadership, Governance, and Daily Practice

At all of our Big Bear Academy centres, child safety is a core part of our leadership, governance, and everyday operations.

Our Directors and our owners Andrew & Maxine, hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring that comprehensive child safety systems are in place. This includes the implementation and regular review of policies, procedures, team training, team background checks and clear reporting channels to uphold the highest standards of care and protection.

All team members are expected to uphold our child safety values and actively contribute to maintaining a secure and nurturing environment for every child. In addition, every individual entering our premises is required to sign in. Those who are not parents or guardians must also provide a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to entry.

We foster a transparent and supportive culture where concerns and complaints can be raised openly.

Regular reviews of our policies, procedures, and practices ensure continuous improvement and compliance with current legislation. Staff are also required to undertake ongoing child safety training and participate in regular meetings to remain informed of any updates to policies, regulations, or best-practice standards.

Through these measures, we ensure that child safety is not only prioritised but deeply embedded in every aspect of our organisation.

  • Children’s Participation & Voice

    We encourage children to express their views, concerns, and preferences in age-appropriate ways to all parents, carers and trusted adults.

    We provide safe, respectful, and responsive methods - verbal, written, or pictorial - for children to raise concerns or speak up.

    Children’s feedback is always listened to, valued, and acted upon.

  • Families & Community Involvement

    We inform and involve families and the community in our child safety framework.
    Policies, codes of conduct, and reporting information are readily available to parents, guardians, and business associates.

    We work collaboratively with child-focused organisations, regulatory bodies, and community agencies to ensure that children’s safety measures are both comprehensive and effective.

  • Team suitability & Support

    All team members and contractors complete Working With Children Checks (WWCC), reference, and background checks, with recruitment involving thorough child-safe screening and interviews focused on safeguarding. Continuous induction and ongoing child protection training ensure every team member understands their legal and ethical responsibilities both within and beyond the workplace. We foster a nurturing and supportive environment that prioritises wellbeing and growth, empowering our team to be their best each day.

  • Complaint Handling & Responses to Allegations

    A formal procedure ensures all concerns are reported, investigated, and resolved appropriately.

    We respond promptly and sensitively to any allegation of abuse, neglect, or misconduct, maintaining confidentiality and fairness.

    Where required, matters are referred to Child Protection, police, or relevant authorities, with support provided to affected children, families, and staff throughout the process.

  • Training, Awareness & Capacity Building

    All team members complete child protection training during induction, followed by regular refreshers to ensure continued awareness and compliance.

    The program covers recognising abuse, managing disclosures, reporting obligations, professional boundaries, conduct, digital safety, and privacy. We maintain up-to-date training records across every centre and uphold a strong “See it, Say it” culture - built on accountability and doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

  • Safe Physical & Online Environments

    Our indoor and outdoor areas are regularly risk-assessed, maintained, and closely supervised.

    Access control, visitor sign-ins, secure gates and doors, and CCTV (excluding bathrooms) are enforced.

    We follow strict digital and media safety practices - children’s faces are not shown on social media, and all online systems are protected by privacy and access controls.

  • Continuous Review & Improvement

    Our child safety policies, procedures, and feedback are regularly reviewed and audited to identify areas for enhancement.

    We remain up to date with changes in law, regulations, and best practice, ensuring our approach evolves proactively.

    Regular team meetings on child protection reinforce expectations and ensure consistent communication and accountability across all centres.

  • Documentation & Policy Framework

    All child safety policies, procedures, codes of conduct, reporting guidelines, training records, and related documents are maintained and accessible to staff and families.

    We ensure full compliance with National Regulations 168 and 169 regarding education and care policies. Our documentation aligns with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Principles across all Big Bear Academy centres.

  • Mandatory Reporting & Legal Obligations

    In NSW, early childhood educators and other mandated persons must report any suspected abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities.

    We meet all legal requirements under the Children (Care and Protection) Act, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and the NSW Child Safe Scheme.
    All serious incidents or allegations are promptly reported to ensure transparency and accountability.

  • How You Can Help

    We encourage families and visitors to know our child safety policies and reporting processes.

    Report any concerns immediately and follow supervision, access, and photography guidelines.

    By working together, we maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for every child.

    Please see the contact form below for questions.

CCTV Cameras are in all our centres

All Big Bear Academy centres are equipped with state-of-the-art CCTV systems, designed to enhance the safety and security of every child, family, and educator within our community. Our surveillance systems operate across indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring that our environments are continuously monitored to maintain a secure, transparent, and accountable setting.

The use of CCTV supports our commitment to child protection by helping to prevent and respond to incidents swiftly and appropriately. Footage is securely stored and accessed only by authorised management personnel, in line with privacy legislation and our strict confidentiality policies.

While the presence of CCTV offers reassurance to families, it also reinforces our culture of responsibility and care - ensuring that all who enter our centres feel protected and respected. Through this technology, we uphold our promise to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive with confidence.

Safety and supervision is paramount

We prioritise safety and supervision at all times.

To uphold the highest standards of care, we always have more educators on the floor than is required by the regulations. This deliberate choice ensures constant supervision, immediate attention to each child’s needs, and an exceptional level of safety and support.

By exceeding standard staffing ratios, we create a secure, nurturing, and responsive environment where every child is truly seen, supported, and protected.

Let’s work together.

If you would like to know more about our child safety practices, have any questions or concerns, or wish to report a matter, please contact our team.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at your nearest Big Bear Academy centre.
All enquiries and reports are treated confidentially and handled with sensitivity and care.

Your voice matters - together, we can continue to uphold a safe and supportive environment for every child.