Headland is now Mallow Early Learning
Mallow Early Learning
← Child safety

Our public statement

Child-safety commitment.

This statement explains how Mallow approaches child safety and how we respond when something is wrong. Our complete operational policies are held at each centre and are available to families on request.

1

Child Safe Standards

We hold a zero-tolerance commitment to child safety, and we embed Victoria's Child Safe Standards through our leadership, our governance and our everyday practice. The Standards are not a poster on the wall. They shape how we run the rooms, who we hire, and how we listen.

  • Culturally Safe Environments: every child's identity, culture and background is respected and made welcome.
  • Empowering Children: children are heard, taken seriously, and know how to speak up.
  • Engaging Families: families stay informed and involved in how we keep their children safe.
  • Rigorous Safeguarding: strong, documented protections sit underneath day-to-day care.
2

Working with Children Checks

Every adult who comes into contact with children is verified before they commence. That means educators, contractors, students, volunteers and regular visitors. No exceptions, and no starting first and checking later.

  • Identity and qualifications are verified before commencement.
  • At least two referee checks are completed for every educator.
  • Criminal history checks form part of the clearance.
  • Clearances are monitored on an ongoing basis through the National (Early Childhood) Worker Register.
  • We follow strict protocols the moment a Working with Children Check becomes invalid.
  • The whole policy is reviewed every year to keep it current.
3

Mandatory Reporting & the Reportable Conduct Scheme

Our educators are mandated reporters. If there is a concern about a child's safety, they report it to DFFH Child Protection, and that duty sits above everything else. When an allegation is made against a staff member, the Reportable Conduct Scheme sets clear, time-bound steps that we follow exactly.

  • Allegations against a staff member are notified to the Social Services Regulator within 3 business days.
  • A serious incident report is made to VECRA within 24 hours.
  • Confidential record-keeping is maintained throughout every report and review.

Complete operational policies are held at each centre and are available to families on request.

Want to talk it through?

We'll walk you through it.

Read it once, ask us anything. On a tour you'll see how the policy lives in the room: the supervision, the sign-in, the design.

Book a tour