WHY CHOOSE US
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR APPROACH
QLD Child Safety
Child safety comes first at
Smart Tots.
At Smart Tots Early Education
Your Child's Safety Is Our Constant Commitment
At Smart Tots, creating a safe and welcoming environment begins with the little things; the relationships we build, the spaces we create and the care we bring to each day. Through thoughtful environments, ongoing educator support and a shared commitment to child safety, we work to ensure every child is protected, supported and genuinely cared for.
We know children learn, explore and discover more freely when they feel a sense of belonging. That means creating an environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves, building friendships, sharing their ideas and knowing their voices matter.
Across our Alexandra Hills, Mt Cotton and Capalaba centres, we want every child to feel that they belong, that they are valued and that they can be their authentic selves. It’s this commitment that guides our everyday decisions and shapes the experiences we create with children and families.
Safe Environments
Childcare and early education in
Our Commitment
At Smart Tots Early Education, every child’s safety, wellbeing and right to feel protected, valued and respected guide the way we care.
From the decisions we make to the relationships we nurture, we continually ask ourselves, “Are we creating the safest, most supportive environment for every child?"
We are committed to fostering child-safe environments where children feel secure, their voices are heard, their individuality is celebrated, and they are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings and ideas.
Because at Smart Tots, child safety is more than a responsibility we uphold. It is part of who we are, how we care and the culture we create together.
Children are our priority
Little voices. Big priorities. Always.
Our Paramountcy Principle
At Smart Tots, children’s rights, safety, wellbeing and best interests guide every decision we make. Their needs will always take priority over operational demands, staffing pressures, financial considerations or adult preferences. When faced with uncertainty, we take a child-centred approach, choosing the path that places children’s safety, protection and wellbeing first.
For Family Support
Reportable
Conduct Scheme
Smart Tots Early Education is committed to meeting the requirements of the Queensland Reportable Conduct Scheme. Where concerns are raised about the conduct of an educator, worker, volunteer or contractor, we take every concern seriously and respond promptly, fairly and in line with our child safety responsibilities.
- 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
At Smart Tots, every allegation is taken seriously, every concern is carefully investigated and every child is protected. We embed all ten QLD Child Safety Standards throughout our organisation through:
- Strong leadership and accountability
- Clear governance and child safety practices
- Giving children a voice and encouraging participation
- Meaningful partnerships with families
- Culturally safe and inclusive practice
- Safe and thorough recruitment processes
- Accessible and responsive complaints management
- Ongoing learning, training and professional development
- Continuous reflection and improvement
- Regular review of how child safety is embedded across our centres
It takes a village to raise a child
Our Goal
Our Village of Safety
At Smart Tots, creating a safe environment is something we all share. Educators, families, children and visitors each have a role to play in helping keep children safe.
Our Village of Safety brings everyone together with a shared understanding of how to prevent, recognise and respond to concerns — creating a culture where children feel protected, their voices are heard and everyone feels confident to speak up.
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 Smart Tots Early Education, this is our commitment to every child, every family and every community we serve. Because nothing is more important than protecting children and keeping them safe.
EYES OPEN
Our Smart Tots educators actively maintain safe and supportive environments and are trained to recognise signs of abuse, neglect and harm. Vigilance is not occasional; it is an ongoing responsibility practised every day across all our centres.
HEARTS IN
When a child shares a concern, we listen, reassure and respect them. Every disclosure is taken seriously and met with calm, trauma-informed care. We act immediately and without hesitation to protect the child’s safety and wellbeing.
VOICES HEARD
We maintain clear, child-focused reporting procedures. Every concern, no matter how small, is escalated through the appropriate pathways to the right people, including relevant authorities whenever required. Across all our centres.
Smart Tots, An Amazing Environment for Children
What Sets Us Apart
Eyes Open
Through a thorough screening process, Smart Tots carefully checks and verifies references before any person is approved to work with children.
Training on Induction
Smart Tots staff are trained to recognise, prevent and report signs of child abuse, neglect and harm in accordance with legal requirements and centre policies.
Voices Heard
Smart Tots maintains robust child protection, code of conduct and reporting systems to safeguard every child.
Children’s Voices
At Smart Tots, children are encouraged to express themselves, feel respected and remain safe.
Safe Environments
Smart Tots maintains safe and secure environments through regular audits, carefully managed spaces and vigilant supervision.
Clear Policies
At Smart Tots, we welcome feedback, questions and open communication from children, families and our wider community.
Warm and welcoming environments
What you can always expect at Smart Tots
At Smart Tots, our commitment to children’s safety, wellbeing and belonging is reflected in the way we care, communicate and create every day. These principles guide our educators, our environments and the decisions we make across our centres.
Families can expect a warm, welcoming environment where children are known, valued and treated with kindness, dignity and respect. We build strong relationships with children and families, listen to children’s voices and create spaces where they feel secure, confident and supported to explore, discover and grow.
Our commitment to child safety is part of our everyday culture, not simply a set of standards to meet. It is something we all share — because every child deserves to feel safe, heard, respected and genuinely cared for, 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, secure fences and gates, and daily safety checks help keep children safe. Across our Alexandra Hills, Mt Cotton and Capalaba centres, play equipment and soft-fall surfaces are regularly checked to ensure safe, secure spaces for children to explore and 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.
A home away from home
Care Begins with Exceptional Educators
The people who care for children each day have a profound influence on their sense of safety, trust and belonging. That is why Smart Tots takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to recruiting, screening and welcoming every educator into our team.
We carefully select professionals who share our values, demonstrate genuine care for children and are committed to delivering high-quality education and care. Every team member completes comprehensive screening and reference checks and is supported through a detailed induction process, ensuring they are prepared to uphold our standards of child safety, wellbeing and professional practice.Because safe, nurturing environments begin with exceptional people.
Active Supervision
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
and 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 messages, helping children build the warm, respectful relationships that make everyone feel they belong.
Empowering Children
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 home away from home
How families help keep every child safe
Fostering a community within Smart Tots 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.
What parents say about us
Hear from our Smart Tots families about the care, connections and everyday moments that help their children feel at home.
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.
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 Smart Tots location
Qld Child Saftey
QLD Child Safety After Hours
(24 hours, 7 days)
Operations Manager
The first step is the most important one! Call us on
1300 510 558, or request a call back, and let us contact you.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline
(24 hours, free & confidential)