Safe4kids child protection education

Protective Education is age-appropriate learning that helps children understand their rights, recognise when something feels unsafe, understand personal boundaries and body safety, and know how to speak up and seek help from trusted adults.

Through our partnership with Safe4Kids, children explore these concepts through engaging learning experiences including games, activities, music and discussion.

No. Keeping children safe is always the responsibility of adults, educators, organisations and the broader community.

Protective Education adds another layer of protection by giving children age-appropriate language and confidence to communicate how they feel, understand their rights and seek help. Montessori Academy’s broader Seven Pillars of Child Safety bring together the people, systems, supervision, safeguards and governance that surround every child.

Children explore 10 key concepts covering Safe and Unsafe, Safe and Unsafe Touches, Feelings, Early Warning Signs and Telling, Risking on Purpose, Safety Teams, Persistence, Public and Private, Saying “No”, Personal Space and Relationships, and Secrets.

Together, these concepts help children build language, confidence, boundary awareness, assertiveness, resilience and help-seeking skills.

Yes. As part of the Public and Private concept, children are introduced to correct anatomical names for private body parts in a simple, factual and age-appropriate way.

Using correct terminology helps children understand their bodies, supports respectful conversations about body safety and gives them clear language to communicate if something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Families are encouraged to reinforce the same terminology at home and avoid describing private body parts as rude, dirty or shameful.

No. The program is focused on protective education and body safety, not sex education.

Children learn age-appropriate concepts including public and private, personal boundaries, consent, trusted adults, Early Warning Signs and how to speak up if something feels uncomfortable or unsafe.

Sensitive topics are introduced using language appropriate for young children. For example, Safe4Kids uses the terms “private pictures” and “private movies” when discussing inappropriate content children may accidentally encounter.

Children are taught that if they see something inappropriate or confusing, they should stop watching, tell a trusted adult and know that they will not be blamed or get into trouble for something they encountered accidentally.

Children learn that they can say “No” or “Stop” if they feel unsafe or notice their Early Warning Signs, including when the other person is an adult.

They are also taught the important distinction between not wanting to do something and not feeling safe. Saying “No” for safety reasons is very different from saying “No” because they do not want to turn off the television, go to bed or eat their vegetables.

Children also learn that boundaries work both ways: when another person says “No” or “Stop”, they must respect that too.

A Safety Team is made up of five trusted adults a child can turn to if they feel unsafe, worried or uncomfortable.

Children learn that trusted adults should listen to them, believe them, be available when they need help and take action when necessary to help them feel safe again. They are also encouraged to keep talking to trusted adults until someone listens, understands and helps.

The Safe4Kids Program introduces each concept in a developmentally appropriate way, using clear and simple language suitable for young children.

If a child asks a question that goes beyond the intended content, educators will acknowledge the question without introducing unnecessary detail and gently redirect the conversation back to the concept being explored. Where appropriate, families may be encouraged to continue the conversation at home in a way that reflects their own values and preferences.

If a child shares something that raises a safety or child protection concern, this will not simply be redirected. Educators will listen, respond appropriately and follow Montessori Academy’s child safety and reporting procedures.

Families are an important part of creating a shared language around child safety. You can support your child by talking openly about feelings, personal boundaries, Safe and Unsafe situations, their Safety Team and the importance of speaking up.

Most importantly, listen calmly, take your child seriously and reassure them that they can tell you anything without being blamed or getting into trouble. When families and educators use the same language, children have a stronger circle of support.

We understand that some topics, particularly body safety and private body parts, may feel sensitive for families. Our weekly newsletters are designed to explain each concept in advance, including the language children will hear and ways families can reinforce the learning at home.

If you would like more information about a particular concept, activity or the terminology being used, please speak with your Centre Manager before the lesson is introduced. We welcome questions and want families to feel informed, comfortable and confident about what their child is learning.

Where appropriate, families can also discuss how they would like to continue these conversations at home so children receive clear and consistent messages from the adults around them. Families are also welcome to reach out to our Head Office via phone on 1300 000 162 or email familyfeedback@montessoriacademy.com.au