How to Achieve Quality Area 2 | Montessori Academy Childcare

Children’s Health and Safety

Quality Area Two of the National Quality Standard highlights the importance of children’s health and safety across early learning providers in Australia.

Montessori Academy is devoted to exceptional early education that supports each child’s physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. 

We’ve collated our top tips and practices to achieve Quality Area 2 at your early learning service.

Wellbeing and Comfort

The quality area related to wellbeing and comfort provides a framework to ensure that families feel supported and that their children feel welcome at the centre. Ways for educators to support families include asking them about:

• Home routines
• Sleeping schedules
• Food likes and dislikes
• Toileting patterns at home
• Strategies to help comfort their child
• Preferred quiet activities for children that do not sleep during the day

Health Practices and Procedures

Health practices and procedures are in place to ensure that the children are safe and nurtured. Procedures that are set in place to ensure hygiene and health practices include:

• Children have scheduled hand-washing times throughout the day especially before and after outdoor play and meals
• Medical action plans displayed in prominent areas of classrooms for the children with anaphylaxis and allergies
• Rotating cleaning rosters for all areas of the centre
• External cleaners deep clean the centre on a regular basis (this may include antibacterial fogging)

Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle requires healthy eating, physical activity, rest, and safe sleeping. To promote healthy eating and physical activity to children, educators should be aware of:

• Children participate in the NSW Health Initiative Munch & Move to support physical activity, healthy eating and reduced screen-time
• Nude lunchboxes including minimal processed foods
• Catered centres should provide a balanced nutritional menu that is low in salt and sugar
• Teach children about different types of healthy foods
• Reinforce healthy eating habits such as ‘Eating a Rainbow‘ i.e. eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

Illness and Injury Management

All Montessori Academy centres have the following procedures to manage illness, injury, and hygiene practices:

• All children have their medical records on-site
• Staff are required to have up-to-date First Aid Certifications
• Incident Reports

Sun Safety

We ensure sun-safe practices to protect children from harm and any hazard likely to cause injury. Procedures protecting children from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun include:

• Taking sun-safe precautions all year, not only on hot days
• Keeping babies and infants (under 12 months) out of direct sunlight
• Planning outdoor activities in shaded areas
• Avoiding outdoor activities during peak sun exposure times 
• All staff are to act as role models demonstrating sun-safe behaviour 

Child Protection

All early childhood educators are Mandatory Reporters and are legally required to report all known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. 

The Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) is an essential resource in deciding if a child is at Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH). Types of child abuse may vary and can include neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse.

For more information on the different types of abuse and neglect visit the FACS website. There are many ways you can make a report to the Child Protection Helpline if you suspect the risk of significant harm.

Quality Area 2 assures families that their children are cared for in a loving and diligent manner. Montessori Academy’s ongoing commitment to children’s health and safety is embedded in daily practices to minimise risk and ultimately protect children from harm, injury and infection.