Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Fiona Alston

Jan 23, 2026

Save

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are entrusted with one of the most important responsibilities, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children. Effective incident prevention and management practices are vital to meeting this responsibility, and are mandated under both federal legislation and the National Quality Framework (NQF).

Under section 167 of the Education and Care Services National Law, approved providers, nominated supervisors and family day care educators must take every reasonable precaution to protect children from harm and hazards likely to cause injury. Fulfilling this duty requires more than compliance, it demands a safety-first culture embedded in daily practice.

Prevention begins with the ability to anticipate risk. Services are required to implement robust systems of control that identify, assess, mitigate and monitor risk on an ongoing basis. This includes developing and maintaining comprehensive risk assessments, regularly reviewing policies and procedures, and ensuring educators have a shared understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Strong systems of control are underpinned by:

Clear governance—defined roles and responsibilities at all levels of the service
Regular reviews—systems that are dynamic, not static, and adapt to emerging risks
Reflective practice—a culture of ongoing learning and improvement

Supporting children to engage in challenging and active play is also essential to their development. Approved providers and educators are encouraged to consider the benefits of ‘risky play’ through a risk-benefit lens. This involves professional judgement, responsive supervision, and a balance between safety and developmental opportunity.

Key prevention strategies include:

Maintaining adequate supervision at all times
Implementing and reviewing risk assessments and management plans
Ensuring policies and procedures are known, understood and followed

When systems are applied consistently, services are better positioned to predict, detect and ultimately prevent incidents before they occur.

Despite best efforts, incidents can and do occur. How a service responds in the moment can significantly influence outcomes for children, families and staff, and the effectiveness of that response depends on preparation.

Every service should have a critical incident management plan in place. This plan forms a key component of a strong incident response framework, ensuring that all staff understand their responsibilities and can act swiftly and appropriately in high-pressure situations.

A well-developed critical incident management plan supports educators and leaders to:

Administer first aid in line with the service’s approved policies and proceduresAdminister first aid in line with the service’s approved policies and procedures
Contact emergency services or medical professionals promptly, erring on the side of caution
Notify and support families in a timely, transparent and respectful manner
Provide emotional support to children and staff affected by the incident
Maintain adequate supervision of all children, ensuring their ongoing safety while responding to the incident

Having a clearly documented, regularly reviewed plan in place enables services to respond with confidence, reduce harm and support recovery.

Following an incident, services must notify families and the Regulatory Authority within prescribed timeframes, in accordance with National Regulations. Beyond compliance, incident review is a key part of ongoing quality improvement. This includes updating risk assessments, modifying environments, reviewing staff roles, and delivering additional training as needed.

For detailed information and resources visit the Queensland Government Early Childhood Education and Care website.

Don’t miss a thing

$1.1 million Business Support Program will help CCCF supported services

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services receiving funding through the Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) will have business support and advice to help them stay open thanks to the newly announced Business Support Program.

Expanding access to early education in regional South Australia: New investment brings services closer to families

Access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is central to children’s development, family wellbeing and community prosperity. In a significant joint commitment, the Albanese and Malinauskas governments have announced a major expansion of early learning infrastructure in regional South Australia, delivering new and expanded services where families need them most.

Stunning Sydney childcare centre sells for $11.5 million

A newly completed childcare centre in Sydney’s south-west has sold for $11.5 million reflecting a 5.26 per cent yield highlighting continued investor demand for defensive assets with long-term income security.

Childcare sector consolidation intensifies: Mayfield board urges shareholders to reject Embark takeover offer

Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is once again in the spotlight as ASX‑listed Embark Early Education Limited (ASX: EVO) presses ahead with an off‑market takeover bid for Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX: MFD), triggering a strong public response from the Mayfield board.

$1.3 Billion in support available for trainees in small ECEC businesses

Wage subsidies to support apprenticeship programs and traineeships in a variety of sectors and industries, including early childhood education and care (ECEC), are now available, giving employers and employees stability and financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.