Child Protection Policy and Reporting Procedure 2026
Rationale
This policy acknowledges that early childhood education services have particular responsibility both under legislation and in society to provide a safe environment that ensures all children.
Child abuse and neglect is not acceptable. Children need our protection.
Prevention is always better than cure. Too many children are not cared for and protected adequately by adults.
The ECE sector has a key role to play in providing a safe environment for children, free from physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse and also supporting families/whānau to protect their children.
Child Abuse is defined by the Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki as “any child or young person that has been, or is likely to be, harmed (whether physically, emotionally, or sexually), ill-treated, abused, neglected or deprived”.
Child Abuse can be:
- Physical Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Verbal Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
Neglect “is a pattern of behaviour which occurs over a period of time and results in impaired functioning or development of a child. It is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs.
Neglect may be:
- Physical - failure to provide necessary basic needs of food, shelter or warmth
- Medical - failure to seek, obtain or follow through with medical care for the child
- Abandonment - leaving a child young person in any situation without arranging necessary care for them and with no intention of returning
- Neglectful supervision – failure to provide developmentally appropriate or legally required supervision
- Refusal to assume parental responsibility - unwillingness or inability to provide appropriate care for a child.”
Objectives
- The objective of this operational policy is to establish the actions that are to be taken to protect children from abuse and neglect by meeting Ministry of Education Early Childhood Education Licensing Criteria HS125 and provisions of the Children Act 2014.
- For the purpose of this policy, abuse is used in the context of adult to child. This could be staff to child or an adult (outside of the centre) to the child. (See Complaints Procedure)
- Abuse relating to child to child or child to adult is not within the scope of this policy.
- HS124 – All practical steps are taken to protect children from exposure to inappropriate material (example explicitly sexual or violent nature).
- Provide guidelines for people working with children in early childhood education services
- Ensure that children, families and whanau are provided with preventative education to enhance their safety
- Develop procedures for dealing with cases of current or past abuse disclosed or suspected.
- Identify external agencies to be used, the services they provide, the liaison required and the appropriate referral procedures.
Underpinning Principle: The interest and protection of the child is paramount in all actions.
We recognise the rights of family/Whānau to participate in the decision-making about their children.
We have a commitment to ensure that all staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of potential abuse and neglect and are able to take appropriate action in response, through ongoing professional development.
We are committed to supporting all staff to work in accordance with this policy, to work with partner agencies and organisations to ensure child protection policies are consistent and high quality.
We will comply with relevant legislative responsibilities.
Competent, supported & educated staff
Where a disclosure or concern arises, we are committed to share information in a timely way. We have a Disclosure From and process to discuss any concerns about an individual child with Person in Charge. Privacy will always be maintained in regards to a need-to-know basis.
We are committed to promote a culture where staff feel confident that they can raise issues of concern without fear of reprisal. All permanent teachers will attend a 2 yearly update on Child Protection.
We also encourage our staff to talk to someone experienced, for a different point of view, or for ideas about how to help. We also have these contacts readily displayed on our website with in this policy.
- Parent Help – 0800 568 856
- Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki – 0508 326 459
- Are You OK – 0800 456 450 (Family Violence Information Line)
- Plunket Line on 0800 933 922.
Relationships with Parents “He waka eke noa”
We will form strong reciprocal relationships with parents and be aware of issues that make life extra hard for parents.
We will monitor situations and offer help and support to parents where we can.
The Manager will Always prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the child.
- Maintain confidentiality. Failure of staff to comply with this policy will be regarded as serious misconduct
- Maintain and increase staff and parental awareness of how to prevent, recognise and respond to abuse, including learning about appropriate touching
- Personnel policies 7 steps safety checks for all employed- permanent and or temporary staff as noted below. Every 3 years of employment a new risk assessment will be carried out as identified below.
Risk Assessment every 3 years: Verification of identity (2 forms of ID); Information about work History (written C.v. up dated); referee verbal; Information check from Teachers Council; Nz Police Vet check (for unregistered employees) and a Risk Assessment grading.
- Maintain appropriate records
- Ensure the centre’s procedures protect staff from unjustified allegations of abuse (Complaints Procedure)
- Ensure the centre has educational and informational resources for children and adults on child abuse.
- If a child has a Parenting / Contact / Access / Restraining and or Guardianship Order a copy is to be held on file; note if the child has an appointed Lawyer, then this will be noted also. This ensures everyone is protected and information is shared only with those who need to know i.e. Person Responsible.
Staff will Always prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the child
- Give no persons, other than permanently employed staff tasks that involve nappy changing, toileting or responsibility for the supervision of children alone.
- Ensure that staff and other adults visiting or working in the centre are well supported and visible in the activities they perform with children. While the centre respects the privacy of our children, staff and visitors, visibility will be given priority to ensure the safety of all concerned (Supervision Policy).
- Respond appropriately to a child who initiates physical contact in seeking affection, reassurance or comfort. It is not appropriate to force any form of unwanted affection/touching on a child. Touching should not be initiated to gratify adult needs. Physical contact during the changing or cleansing of children must be for the purpose of that task only and not be more than is necessary for the job at hand.
- Ensure no child is taken from the centre by any staff member or adult, without the permission of a parent, except in the case of an emergency where clearance has been obtained from either the Manager, 2IC or Police.
- Familiarise themselves with this policy
- Immediately notify the Manager if they observe signs of child abuse or anyone reports to them any suspicions of child abuse of children at the centre, or a pattern of neglect or concerns is identified
- Maintain confidentiality. Failure of staff to comply with this policy will be regarded as serious misconduct
- The Ministry of Education must be advised as soon as possible if the service’s Child Protection policy requires a notification to any agency (such as Oranga Tamariki or NZ Police) relating to a child while attending the service. HS128 Documentation required A copy of notification sent, and any summary. Where applicable a copy of services investigation into the incident, including recording outcomes and any supporting documents.
Reporting procedures after abuse discovered, disclosed or suspected (see flow chart)
Dealing with Disclosure:
- Breathe
- Stay calm, be patient, don’t question extensively
- Keep your voice low and gentle
- DON’T be too quick to fill sentences
- Thank the child for telling you
- DON’T panic
- Don’t promise confidentiality
- Follow the Gate Pa Preschool’s Child Protection Policy.
- Consult with the appropriate teacher.
- Any further action will be discussed at this point.
This policy is on our yearly review Chart. When it is up for review, we will evaluate how well the Policy supported a response to Child Abuse being reported. If none have been we will respond using a hypothetical scenario.
References:
Gate Pa Preschool Policies: Complaints Procedure: Professional Development; Liaison with Outside Agencies; Employment of Staff; Confidentiality; Outings and Excursions; Allegations of Child Abuse; Emergency Evacuations.
Regulations ECE Regs 2008: Criterion HS125 /126 / 127 /128
Children’s Act 2014
Child Matters Course Content June 2025
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
