CHILD SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY
(Natural, built and social environment)
This policy is to guide educators, students, parents and volunteers on how to approach issues involving the natural, built and social environment at Green Umbrella. This policy shows all of us how to appreciate our natural and built environment, how we use them to support healthy learning and how our relationships underpin all that we do here.
This policy ensures that the rights, safety and best interests of children are the paramount consideration in all decisions relating to the natural, built and social environment. It outlines how the service implements the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Law requirements (effective 24 April 2026) to create an environment where children feel safe, supported, empowered and able to participate in decisions that affect them.
Green Umbrella is committed to providing a child safe environment where children’s rights, safety and wellbeing are upheld at all times. The service implements the Child Safe Standards and ensures that children’s best interests are the primary consideration in all decisions about the environment, supervision, activities and interactions.
Green Umbrella values our natural environment and actively works towards its regeneration for past, present and future custodians of the land. Our environment enables children to have experiences that develop them as a whole person, both through contact with nature, through engagement with buildings and gardens, through social engagement. We supervise students to engage in natural risk-taking behaviour, as part of their learning and growth.
All educators, volunteers, students and visitors share responsibility for identifying and responding to risks, hazards or behaviours that may compromise a child’s safety or wellbeing. Concerns are acted on immediately and escalated in accordance with our Child Protection and Management of Complaints policies.
Green Umbrella strives to provide children, educators and families with a natural landscape that is supportive, challenging and dotted with just enough risk for growth.
Green Umbrella supports the concept of “reuse, reduce, and recycle” in all that we do. Being responsible for supporting our planet is at the heart of Green Umbrella practice.
At Green Umbrella we have no tolerance for alcohol, cigarettes or other illicit drugs on the grounds at any time. We, as educators and the adult community, are role models for students.
Learning at Green Umbrella is seamlessly merged between indoors and outdoors. Our playgrounds are designed to support a variety of different play and learning scenarios. The playground includes small nooks and crannies and large open spaces to be explored. At Green Umbrella, playgrounds are adventurous learning areas the landscape of which can change according to students’ interests. For example, educators will facilitate students interests in building structures or digging channels or establishing vegetable or ornamental gardens in the grounds. We have a unique environmental setting that supports children’s ability to be independent and self assess risk.
Outdoor environments are assessed daily for hazards, and any identified risks are removed or minimised immediately. educators document hazards and actions taken in accordance with the service’s risk management processes. Our playgrounds are free of harmful synthetic chemicals so that students are safe.
Children are encouraged to express their views about outdoor spaces, and their feedback is used to inform planning, risk benefit assessments and environmental changes. When balancing children’s desire for challenge with safety considerations, educators prioritise the child’s best interests and wellbeing in all decisions.
Green Umbrella environment has access to an area of native vegetation that provides corridors that link our grounds with the wider natural environment and sustains local flora and fauna. We regularly have excursions to the adjacent National Park for bush walks and water play in the creek .
educators encourage students to participate in bush regeneration activities where appropriate.
Student safety is paramount in our built environment: furniture and equipment is safe, clean and in good repair. The Kinma administration team arranges a professional check of electrical safety annually. educators conduct regular inspections of the built environment and immediately report or address hazards. All maintenance issues are documented and escalated to the Nominated Supervisor then to Kinma’s administration team for rectification where appropriate.
The buildings are large and naturally well-lit and ventilated. They provide a variety of magical spaces that allow student to find just the right place to be - whether at desks in the bright open floor space, or in a cosy nook filled with cushions. Students can determine their needs in relationship to equipment and educators support by assisting facilitation.
Green Umbrella uses recycled materials wherever feasible for learning activities and craft works.
Green Umbrella has access to a shower and laundry facilities at both preschool and primary. There are sufficient and age appropriate toilets, hand washing and drying facilities in the hall.
Any digital devices, screens or online platforms used within the built environment are managed to ensure children’s privacy, safety and wellbeing. Children are not photographed or recorded without appropriate consent. Children are supported by educators when using digital devices.
Relationship is at the heart of Green Umbrella practice. Children are supported to express their views, participate in decisions and raise concerns about their safety or experiences. Educators actively listen to children and respond in ways that uphold their dignity and rights.
Our environment encourages family members to feel comfortable to stay and enjoy and be part of their child’s experience. This builds community engagement and understanding. Children and families are informed via discussions and the Parent Handbook about how to make a complaint or raise a concern. Child‑friendly complaints processes are explained regularly.
The educators at Green Umbrella and the other adults of the community are responsible for being good role models. They are responsible for the language and emotional and social modelling at school. Families are entitled to have wide and differing viewpoints and experiences. This is what makes our school culture rich. However, this does not mean that they can express their views unnecessarily or deliberately to offend another person. Adults may not bring alcohol, cigarettes or drugs to school and they may not be at the school if they are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Educators are to contact the Head of School or Nominated Supervisor if they believe any inappropriate behaviour is occurring on the grounds of Kinma. This includes adults who may be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at the school. The Head of School then will intervene. Educators are to contact the Chair of the Board if there are problems with the conduct or behaviour of the Nominated Supervisor.
All educators must immediately report any concern for a child’s safety, wellbeing or behaviour to the Nominated Supervisor. If the concern relates to the Nominated Supervisor, staff escalate to the Approved Provider. Where a conflict of interest arises (e.g., personal relationships, competing priorities, or external pressures), decisions must be made in favour of the child’s safety and best interests.
4. APPENDIX
4.1 Supporting Documents
4.2 Regulatory Legislation and Considerations
Date Approved: July 2021
Date reviewed: May 2026
Date for review: May 2029