Safety Starts with Connection
Children feel secure when they are known, listened to and supported by adults they trust. At Caterpillar Kidz, these everyday connections are the foundation of our commitment to child safety.
At Caterpillar Kidz Early Learning Centre & Kindergarten, protecting children’s safety, rights and wellbeing sits at the heart of our commitment to families.
A shared responsibility. A child-first commitment.
As a family-owned and operated early learning community, we know the trust involved in choosing care. Our commitment is to create an environment where children are respected, families can speak openly and concerns are taken seriously.
We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, discrimination or any behaviour that puts a child’s safety or dignity at risk. We are committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards and to continually strengthening a culture that puts children first.
Relationships that build trust
Feeling safe begins with being known. Our approach centres on warm, respectful relationships, responsive care and noticing how each child communicates comfort, uncertainty or a need for help.
Children’s voices matter
We are committed to listening to children in ways that suit their age and development. Words, gestures, behaviour and emotions all matter. We support children to make choices, express boundaries and seek help from trusted adults.
People who put children first
Child-safe recruitment, appropriate screening, professional boundaries and ongoing learning are essential to our commitment. Families are welcome to ask the Centre Manager how these responsibilities are put into practice.
Careful attention, every day
Active supervision, safe environments and thoughtful routines are central to safe care. Talk with our team about arrivals and collection, sleep and rest, mealtimes, allergies and how individual needs are supported.
Belonging without barriers
Every child deserves respect for their culture, identity, abilities and family. We are committed to cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, challenging racism and making participation welcoming and accessible.
Privacy in a connected world
Children’s dignity extends to their photographs and personal information. Our commitment includes appropriate consent, careful handling of images and information, and safe use of technology. Ask us about current device and image-sharing procedures.
Open conversations make safer communities.
You know your child best. Sharing their routines, comfort cues, communication needs and what helps them feel secure gives us a stronger foundation for care.
We welcome questions about safety. On a tour or during enrolment, ask us to explain:
- How children are supervised during play, care routines and transitions.
- Who is authorised to collect your child and how changes are communicated.
- How sleep, allergies, medication and individual care needs are managed.
- How photographs, consent and children’s information are handled.
- Where to find our child safety, complaints and related policies.
Our commitment to safe, respectful relationships guides our early learning approach in Reservoir and our developing community in Dandenong.
A concern is always worth raising.
If something does not feel right, you do not need to wait until you are certain to speak up. Children, parents, carers, educators and visitors should feel able to raise a worry without fear of being dismissed or disadvantaged.
Talk with us
Speak with your Centre Manager and ask for a private conversation. If your concern involves the manager, ask to speak directly with owners and operators Sharokh or Anvi.
Call 03 9369 6568Know what to expect
Our commitment is to listen respectfully, take concerns seriously and act on safety risks. Information should be handled sensitively and shared with those who need it to protect children or meet reporting obligations.
Contact the regulator
You can raise a concern directly with the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA). You do not need to wait for our internal process.
Raise a concern with VECRAFor an urgent safety concern, speak directly with the appropriate emergency or child protection authority. Please do not rely on a website enquiry form for an urgent response.
Your child safety questions.
Can I read your child safety policies?
Ask the Centre Manager for our current child safety, child protection and complaints policies, along with any related procedures you would like explained. We welcome a conversation about what they mean for your child’s day.
How can I help my child feel confident to speak up?
Let them know their feelings matter and that they can talk to a trusted adult if something worries them. Our team can discuss age-appropriate ways to support your child’s voice, choices and personal boundaries alongside your family.
Who can I speak to if my concern involves a staff member or manager?
Speak with the Centre Manager, or ask directly for Sharokh or Anvi if the concern involves the manager. You can also contact VECRA directly, including when you would prefer an independent reporting pathway.
Where can I learn about the Victorian Child Safe Standards?
Visit the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards information and its child safety guidance for early childhood families. These resources explain children’s rights, safe organisations and ways to raise concerns.
Peace of mind begins with a conversation.
Meet our educators, explore our learning spaces and ask the questions that matter to your family.