October is National Safe Work Month, run each year by Safe Work Australia. The 2026 theme is "Safe work is for life." For most people, it's a workplace conversation. But an early learning centre is a workplace too, and it's also where your child spends a big part of their week.
The systems that keep educators safe at work are the same ones that keep children safe while they learn. Much of this work is invisible to families. This Safe Work Month, we're taking a closer look at how it actually works.
What the regulations require
Safety in early learning isn't left to chance. Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, every approved centre must keep its premises, furniture and equipment safe, clean and in good repair. Centres are also assessed on this as part of the National Quality Standard.
When you walk into a well-run room, you'll often see the results without noticing them:
- Secure entry, so only authorised people can come in
- Fences and gates that close and latch properly
- Stable furniture, sized for young children
- Room layouts that let educators see and hear every child
- Clean toys, surfaces and equipment, cared for on a regular schedule
Safety works best when it's built into the environment itself. A shelf fixed to the wall or a cord kept out of reach rarely draws attention. That's exactly what makes it effective.
A daily routine of checks
Before children begin playing, educators look over the indoor and outdoor spaces. These checks focus on the hazards most likely to cause harm:
- Gates and doors that latch properly
- Sticks, debris or broken items in the yard, particularly after wind or rain
- Anything in the sandpit that shouldn't be there
- Wet or slippery floors
- Equipment that's broken, loose or out of place
When a hazard is found, it's removed, fixed or blocked off before children use the space. It's then reported, so the cause can be properly repaired.
How risk assessment works
A risk assessment is a structured way of thinking ahead. It asks three questions. What could go wrong? How likely is it, and how serious would it be? What can we do to reduce the risk?
Educators apply this thinking to rooms, outdoor areas and daily routines. For excursions, it's required by law. A risk assessment must be completed before children leave the centre. For regular outings, such as a walk to a nearby park, a new assessment is needed at least every 12 months, or sooner if anything changes, like the route or the number of children.
Importantly, the goal isn't to remove every challenge. Children benefit from opportunities to climb, balance and test their own limits. Risk assessment helps educators separate a healthy challenge from a genuine hazard. We look at the evidence in our post on the developmental science of risky play.
Equipment checks, from cots to climbing frames
Equipment in a busy centre is used constantly, so it's checked regularly:
- Cots are checked for damage, and to make sure folding and locking mechanisms work properly
- High chairs and nappy change areas are checked for wear and stability
- Toys are cleaned and checked for broken parts or small pieces that could be a choking risk
- Playground equipment and soft fall are inspected for wear, and repaired or topped up as needed
Australian Standards apply to many items in a centre, including playground equipment and surfacing. Centres are expected to maintain equipment to these standards and follow manufacturers' advice. Anything broken is taken out of use until it's repaired or replaced.
Safety in outdoor learning
Outdoor play supports children's physical development, confidence and wellbeing. Educators keep it safe by:
- Positioning themselves so all areas of the yard are supervised
- Using shade, SPF 50+ sunscreen and hats when children are outside
- Checking surfaces like slides and metal rails, which can become very hot in summer
- Closely supervising any water play, and emptying containers straight afterwards
- Monitoring the weather and moving play indoors when conditions change
For practical ideas you can use at the park, Raising Children Network has a helpful guide to playground safety. Our sun safety guide also explains how we protect children as the weather warms up.
Preparing for emergencies
Centres must rehearse their emergency and evacuation procedures at least every three months, and each rehearsal is recorded. Regular practice helps children learn the routine, so they can respond calmly if it's ever needed. You can read more about what happens during a fire drill.
Questions worth asking
Families are always welcome to ask how safety works at their centre. These questions are a good place to start:
- How do you check the rooms and yard each day?
- When was the playground last inspected?
- Where is the emergency evacuation plan displayed?
- What happens when a piece of equipment breaks?
- How will you let me know if something changes?
If you're comparing centres, our childcare centre checklist includes safety and security questions. If you ever notice something that concerns you, speak with your educators or centre director, or raise a concern online.
Safe work is for life
When educators feel safe and supported at work, they can focus fully on the children in their care. That's why Safe Work Month matters to everyone at Papilio.
If you'd like to know more about safety at your child's centre, have a chat with your centre director or educators. You can also read about our safety commitment.