Big school, big insights:

Our role in safeguarding children in OSHC

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This article is part of our new ‘Big School, Big Insights’ series, created to support families and share expert perspectives on child development and school readiness. The series follows our recent Prep webinar for the 2026 intake, where we heard from leading voices in education and wellbeing, including Robyn Monro Miller, CEO of Play Australia.

Starting school is a big milestone for children and families, and for many, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) becomes part of daily life straight away. With that comes a simple expectation: children should be safe, and feel safe, every time they walk through the door 

In our recent webinar, Junior Adventures Group CEO, Melinda Crole, spoke about why safeguarding and wellbeing sit at the heart of everything we do. Safeguarding is not just a requirement. It is the foundation that helps children build confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of belonging. 

Mel also emphasised that safeguarding should be an open conversation with families. She encouraged parents and carers to keep asking questions about how services keep children safe and how they support children to feel safe, because trust grows when expectations are clear and communication stays open. 

Listening to children’s voices helps us build safer environments 

During the webinar, Melinda shared something we believe strongly: the child’s voice matters. In 2025 during National Child Protection Week, we asked children across our services what makes them feel safe in their OSHC program, because safety is not something adults define alone. It is something children experience. 

Children told us the top five things that help them feel safe are:  

  1. Educators 

  2. Family, including the way families interact with the service 

  3. Friends  

  4. Clear boundaries 

  5. Kind words 

Children smiling in various activities, surrounded by colorful quotes about kindness, friendship, and personal boundaries.

Children spoke about the everyday details that shape their sense of safety, such as spaces being bright and welcoming, people smiling and using kind words, and familiar routines and comforts – such as a warm bed or hashbrowns for afternoon tea! 

These insights reinforce an important message: safeguarding is more than serious systems and responses. It is also the day-to-day environment we create, where children feel respected, listened to, and supported by trusted adults and peers. 

Beyond policies: safeguarding you can see and trust 

Melinda explained how safeguarding is embedded across the organisation, with policies available for families to view, spanning everything from recruitment through to our safeguarding approach and the standards we expect across our services. She noted that transparency matters, and families should feel confident reviewing policies and asking questions before their child starts. 

She also highlighted that safeguarding is not static. Policies and procedures are continually reviewed and strengthened in line with best practice, including clear expectations around personal device use in services. 

Wellbeing, safety and school readiness go hand in hand 

In practice, safeguarding shapes how children experience OSHC as they begin school.  

Familiar educators greeting them by name, predictable routines that help them know what comes next, clear boundaries that feel fair and kind, and spaces designed to feel welcoming rather than overwhelming all contribute to children feeling secure.  

When children feel safe enough to play, to connect with friends and to express big emotions, they build confidence and independence at their own pace. These everyday moments, often unnoticed, are what help children settle into new routines and approach their school day with curiosity rather than anxiety. 

Related articles about child safety: 
Children have the right to be heard: Insights from National Child Protection Week 
Gladstone ‘Family Fun Day’ champions child safety and community connection 
National Child Protection Week at JAG: Every Conversation Matters 

Learn more about our safeguarding commitment and how we create safe spaces for children:

Statement of Commitment