One of the key responsibilities of all adults working within Early Childhood Education and Care is upholding their duty of care to children.

Duty of care means taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm and ensuring their safety, well-being, and supervision at all times.

At Mother Duck Childcare and Kindergarten, this goes far beyond simply “watching children.” We work closely with our teams to strengthen understanding around active supervision. This involves being fully present, responsive and aware of children, the environment and potential risks as they arise.

This includes:

• positioning educators intentionally within learning environments
• regularly scanning and monitoring children
• supporting safe transitions between spaces
• responding proactively to children’s needs
• and ensuring children are never left unsupervised

Our Code of Conduct also reinforces clear expectations around visitors, students and volunteers. These individuals undergo a role-specific induction process and read and sign the Code of Conduct Declaration prior to engaging with children. Furthermore, they are never permitted to be left alone with children and must remain under the supervision of qualified educators at all times.

Some of these expectations may appear highly structured. However, they reflect the increasing safeguarding requirements within the ECEC sector and are designed to protect children, families and educators alike.

An example of how this translates into daily practice is how educators are supported to prioritise active supervision at all times. Families may occasionally notice an educator respectfully pausing or redirecting a longer conversation during busy periods within the learning environment. This is because educators have a legal duty of care to actively supervise children and remain attentive to the environment around them. In some situations, an educator may encourage a family member to continue the conversation with a member of the leadership team who is not required to remain directly supervising children or maintaining educator-to-child ratios. While this may at times feel abrupt, it reflects the importance placed on supervision within ECEC settings. 

Duty of care is not only about actions taken – it also relates to inaction. Failing to actively supervise, respond or remain aware of potential risks can impact children’s safety and well-being.

Importantly, we continue to support educators, employees, students, visitors and volunteers to understand not just what the expectations are, but why they matter.

Because strong supervision is one of the most important protective factors in creating safe environments for children.