Website Commitments

We warmly acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Kulin Nation – the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Taungurung, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Wathaurong peoples – and pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

We celebrate their stories, songs, and ways of learning, and are inspired to bring their rich knowledge into our everyday teaching. Through connecting to Country, storytelling, observing and doing, sharing knowledge, and working together, we encourage curiosity, respect, and wonder in our children and community.

Let’s keep learning, listening, and growing together – and share the joy of learning from Country every day.

The distinction between ‘country’ and ‘Country’

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the meaning of Country is more than just ownership or connection to land,

“ When we talk about traditional ‘Country’…we mean something beyond the dictionary definition of the word. …we might mean homeland, or tribal or clan area and we might mean more than just a place on the map. For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains. While they may all no longer necessarily be the title-holders to land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still connected to the Country of their ancestors and most consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land.”

• Professor Mick Dodson

Discovery Childcare and Education is Committed to Child Safety

At Discovery Childcare and Education, the safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of every child are our highest priorities.

We are committed to creating an environment where all children feel safe, are safe, and have a genuine voice in matters that affect them. We respect and value each child’s individuality and ensure their views and experiences are listened to and acted upon with care and respect.

We are dedicated to:

• The cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
• The cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for children with a disability.
• Supporting the wellbeing of children who have experienced trauma and those in out-of-home care, ensuring their unique experiences and needs are understood and responded to with compassion, sensitivity, and consistency.
• Respecting and affirming the identities of all children, including those who are gender diverse or exploring their gender identity, by fostering a culture of inclusion, acceptance, and belonging.

Our commitment to child safety is grounded in our duty of care, our professional and ethical responsibilities, and our focus on acting in the best interests of every child.

Discovery Childcare and Education has zero tolerance for child abuse. All allegations and safety concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly and consistently in line with our robust policies, procedures, and legal obligations. We will always act to protect children — including reporting concerns to the relevant authorities without hesitation or fear of repercussions.

We are proactive in preventing child abuse and identifying, removing, and reducing risks to children’s safety and wellbeing. Our systems and procedures ensure that recruitment, induction, and ongoing employment practices reflect our strong child-safe values and reduce potential risks from new and existing staff, volunteers, and third-party stakeholders.

Discovery Childcare and Education has zero tolerance for discrimination in any form. We are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful environment where every child, family, educator, and visitor is treated with dignity and fairness.

Discrimination based on race, culture, language, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, family structure, or any other personal characteristic is not accepted. We actively promote equity, inclusion, and respect through our daily practices, policies, and curriculum, ensuring that all individuals within our community feel safe, valued, and supported to be themselves.

We are committed to ongoing education and training for our staff to build knowledge, confidence, and capability in recognising and responding to child safety risks.

We work in partnership with families, carers, and relevant community and support agencies to promote each child’s safety, stability, and sense of belonging. Through open communication, collaboration, and shared responsibility, we ensure that children, particularly those experiencing vulnerability, or trauma, consistent and holistic support that strengthens their wellbeing and opportunities to thrive.

Our commitment is enacted through the implementation, review, and continuous improvement of the Child Safe Standards, ensuring our service remains a place where every child feels valued, protected, and supported to flourish.