COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Child-Centred Risk Assessment in Early Childhood Settings course. This program has been developed to provide educators, managers, and childcare professionals with the knowledge and practical tools required to identify, assess, and manage risks in ways that protect children’s health, safety, and wellbeing. By focusing on a child-centred approach, the course emphasises how risk management in early childhood must prioritise the developmental, emotional, and cultural needs of each child while meeting all legislative and organisational requirements.

Risk assessment in childcare is a cornerstone of safe and effective service delivery. This course begins by introducing the principles of risk assessment in early childhood, explaining why proactive hazard management is essential for protecting children and meeting compliance obligations. It outlines the legal and organisational responsibilities that guide safe practice, drawing on relevant Australian childcare legislation and regulatory frameworks. By establishing this foundation, participants will understand not only the importance of risk assessment but also its role in fostering trust with families and regulators.

Understanding the process of risk assessment is critical for consistent application in childcare settings. This section explores the step-by-step process of identifying hazards, assessing likelihood and impact, and implementing effective controls. It explains how to monitor and review existing controls to ensure they remain effective, and the importance of documenting and reporting risk management activities. Through practical examples, participants will learn how to implement a cyclical process of risk management that supports continuous improvement.

Children in early learning environments face a wide range of health and medical risks that must be managed with precision and care. This section examines chronic and acute medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, and diabetes, as well as allergies, anaphylaxis, and medication administration. It provides strategies for preventing and responding to feeding risks, food intolerances, and gaps in immunisation coverage. The section also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date action plans and collaborating with families and health professionals to ensure children’s safety.

Supervision and behaviour present ongoing risks that require vigilance and proactive management. This section discusses the importance of maintaining appropriate supervision ratios to prevent accidents or neglect, and how to respond to behavioural challenges such as aggression, unsafe play, or bullying. It also explores strategies for supporting children with behavioural conditions requiring additional monitoring, ensuring all children are supervised in a safe and inclusive manner.

The physical environment of an early childhood service can present multiple hazards. This section focuses on risks associated with unsafe equipment, trip hazards, outdoor play spaces, exposure to toxic plants, and access to hazardous items such as cleaning products. It also addresses environmental concerns such as poor lighting, ventilation, and extreme temperatures. Participants will learn how to conduct thorough safety checks and implement preventative measures to create a safe environment for children.

Personal care and hygiene practices are integral to risk management. This section outlines how unsafe nappy changing, toileting, or food handling practices can compromise children’s health. It explains the importance of handwashing, preventing cross-contamination, and following safe sleep guidelines to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Participants will develop strategies to ensure high standards of hygiene and personal care across all routines.

Safe sleep and rest practices are vital for protecting infants and young children. This section covers risks related to unsafe cot setups, poor supervision during rest times, and overheating due to inappropriate bedding or room conditions. It also addresses monitoring requirements for children with sleep conditions and the importance of recording sleep checks. Emphasis is placed on aligning practices with recognised safe sleep guidelines to ensure children’s wellbeing.

Psychological and emotional risks are just as critical as physical ones. This section examines the impact of emotional neglect, overstimulation, cultural insensitivity, or exclusion on children’s wellbeing. It highlights strategies for supporting children during transitions, ensuring cultural needs are respected, and creating inclusive environments that promote positive emotional development. By addressing these risks, educators can safeguard children’s sense of belonging and identity.

Communication and developmental risks can arise when children’s needs are not properly supported. This section explores how hearing or vision impairments, language barriers, and developmental delays may present safety risks if not addressed. It also explains the importance of using alternative communication methods such as visual aids or sign language to support children’s understanding. By recognising and responding to communication barriers, educators can prevent misunderstandings that compromise safety.

Safeguarding children from abuse and neglect is a core responsibility in early childhood education. This section outlines the risks of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, as well as neglect. It reinforces the importance of professional boundaries, vigilance against grooming behaviours, and adherence to mandatory reporting laws. Educators will gain clarity on their legal obligations and the processes for protecting children from harm.

Children’s participation in social and community activities brings additional risks. This section explores how to manage risks during excursions, community events, and interactions with members of the public. It also considers the importance of inclusion for children with disability or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Strategies for planning safe, inclusive, and well-supervised community activities are discussed.

Infection control remains a critical area of risk management in childcare. This section highlights how communicable diseases can spread in group settings and outlines best practices for cleaning, isolation, and hygiene. It addresses safe use of PPE, proper food handling, and cross-contamination prevention to ensure that infection risks are minimised within early learning environments.

Transportation presents unique risks for young children. This section addresses the safe use of vehicles, seatbelts, booster seats, and restraints during excursions or transport. It also explains the importance of supervision, accurate roll-call procedures, and preventing children from being left unattended in vehicles. Participants will learn best practice protocols for managing transport safely.

Emergency and disaster preparedness is essential for childcare services. This section focuses on the need for evacuation plans, regular drills, and well-maintained safety equipment. It also addresses risks posed by extreme weather events such as bushfires and floods, as well as ensuring the safety of children with additional needs during emergencies. Strategies for building resilience and readiness are emphasised.

Organisational and staffing risks can undermine all other safety measures if not managed effectively. This section discusses issues such as understaffing, inadequate training, poor communication with families, and incomplete records. It stresses the importance of consistent implementation of policies and procedures to maintain a safe and compliant childcare environment.

To support practical application, the course includes a Childcare Risk Assessment Checklist Template that educators can use to identify and manage risks in daily practice. This tool will guide services in systematically assessing risks and implementing appropriate controls.

Risk assessment is an ongoing responsibility that requires monitoring and continuous improvement. This section outlines how to evaluate the effectiveness of controls, identify emerging risks, and update risk management plans to remain current and effective. It also addresses the importance of documenting and reporting risk actions accurately to supervisors, families, and regulators, ensuring transparency and accountability.

By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to apply child-centred risk assessment in early childhood settings. You will be equipped to protect children’s safety, meet compliance obligations, and create nurturing environments that support children’s growth, wellbeing, and development.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Risk Assessment in Childcare

·       Importance of Risk Assessment in Childcare

·       Principles of Risk Assessment in Early Childhood Settings

·       Legal and Organisational Responsibilities

2. The Risk Assessment Process

·       Identifying hazards and risks

·       Assessing the likelihood and impact

·       Controlling and managing risks

·       Monitoring and reviewing strategies

·       Documenting and reporting actions

3. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Health and Medical Risks

• Chronic or acute medical conditions (asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, seizures).
• Allergies and anaphylaxis (food, insect stings, environmental).
• Medication risks (incorrect dosage, missed dose, unauthorised administration).
• Feeding risks (choking, swallowing difficulties, aspiration).
• Food intolerances and dietary restrictions.
• Immunisation gaps or vulnerability to communicable diseases.
• Lack of up-to-date health/action plans (asthma, allergy, seizure management).

4. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Supervision and Behavioural Risks

• Inadequate supervision ratios leading to accidents or neglect.
• Children absconding, wandering, or becoming lost.
• Aggressive behaviour (biting, hitting, pushing, throwing objects).
• Bullying, exclusion, or intimidation by peers.
• Children engaging in unsafe play (climbing, running indoors, water play without monitoring).
• Children with behavioural conditions requiring extra monitoring (autism spectrum behaviours, ADHD).

5. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Physical Environment and Safety Risks

• Unsafe or broken equipment (cots, high chairs, playground equipment).
• Trip hazards (loose rugs, toys on floor, clutter, cords).
• Slippery or wet surfaces indoors and outdoors.
• Outdoor risks (unshaded play, poorly fenced areas, toxic plants).
• Unsafe access to cleaning products, sharp tools, or choking hazards (small toys).
• Poor lighting, ventilation, or temperature extremes (overheating or cold).

6. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Personal Care and Hygiene Risks

• Unsafe nappy changing or toileting procedures.
• Lack of proper handwashing before meals or after toileting.
• Cross-contamination risks (shared bottles, dummies, bedding).
• Poor food handling and storage practices.
• Unsafe sleep practices (SIDS risks — pillows, blankets, sleep position, cot safety).

7. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Sleep and Rest Risks

• Unsafe cot setup (toys, pillows, blankets inside).
• Infants not placed on their back to sleep (SIDS risk).
• Inadequate supervision during rest or nap times.
• Risk of overheating due to clothing, blankets, or room temperature.
• Children with diagnosed sleep conditions (sleep apnoea, seizures during sleep).
• Failure to monitor and record sleep checks.

8. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Psychological and Emotional Risks

• Emotional neglect (child not comforted when distressed).
• Stress from separation, transition, or sudden routine changes.
• Overstimulation from noise, lighting, or group size.
• Cultural or identity needs not respected.
• Social isolation or lack of inclusion for children with additional needs.

9. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Communication and Developmental Risks

• Hearing or vision impairments not supported.
• Communication barriers (language, non-verbal, speech delays).
• Lack of use of alternative communication tools (visual aids, AAC, sign language).
• Missed developmental concerns (motor, cognitive, speech delays).
• Unsafe responses due to misunderstanding instructions.

10. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Abuse and Neglect Risks

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse risks.
• Neglect (lack of food, hygiene, clothing, supervision).
• Inappropriate physical contact or breaches of professional boundaries.
• Grooming or exploitation risks (by adults or older peers).
• Failure to follow mandatory reporting laws.

11. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Social and Community Participation Risks

• Safety concerns during excursions (traffic, transport, strangers, unfamiliar environments).
• Lack of inclusion for children with disability or CALD backgrounds.
• Risks in community activities (crowded spaces, inadequate supervision).
• Inappropriate behaviour from members of the public.

12. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Infection Control Risks

• Spread of communicable diseases (flu, gastro, COVID-19, chickenpox).
• Inadequate cleaning of toys, cots, and equipment.
• Poor isolation practices for sick children.
• Unsafe use of PPE or failure to follow hygiene practices.
• Cross-contamination during food preparation or bottle-feeding.

13. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Transportation Risks

• Children transported in unsafe or unroadworthy vehicles.
• Incorrect use of restraints, booster seats, or seatbelts.
• Lack of supervision during bus or excursion transport.
• Risk of children being left behind or unattended in vehicles.
• Poor roll-call and head-count procedures.

14. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Emergency and Disaster Risks

• No evacuation or lockdown plan, or lack of drills.
• Fire exits obstructed or alarms not functional.
• Lack of first aid kits or trained staff.
• Extreme weather risks (heat stress, storms, floods, bushfires).
• Children with special needs not accounted for in emergency plans.

15. Identifying, Assessing and Managing Organisational and Staffing Risks

• Understaffing creating unsafe conditions.
• Inadequate staff training (first aid, CPR, child protection, WHS).
• Poor communication with families regarding risks, incidents, or health needs.
• Incomplete or inaccurate incident reports, medication records, or attendance logs.
• Inconsistent implementation of policies and procedures.

16. Childcare Risk Assessment Checklist Template

17. Monitoring and reviewing strategies

·       Evaluating the Effectiveness of Risk Controls

·       Identifying Changes and Emerging Risks

·       Updating and Improving Risk Management Plans

18. Documenting and reporting actions

·       Importance of Accurate Record-Keeping

·       Recording Risk Management Actions and Outcomes

·       Reporting to Supervisors, Families, and Regulatory Bodies

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 5-6 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.