Why Child Protection Training Matters More Than Ever in ECE

In an environment where children are nurtured, guided, and supported in their most formative years, every adult has a role to play in safeguarding their wellbeing. That’s why robust, ongoing child protection training is essential for all ECE professionals, from centre managers and curriculum leads to kaiako and admin staff.

The early childhood sector is uniquely placed to identify concerns early. Educators often develop strong, trusting relationships with children and their families and whānau. These relationships can be powerful protective factors, but only if staff are equipped to recognise signs of abuse or neglect and know what to do next. That’s where professional development comes in.

Going Beyond Policy: The Value of Training

While many centres have strong child protection policies in place, the challenge often lies in confidently applying them to real-life situations. What does inappropriate staff conduct look like in practice? When does a child’s behaviour suggest potential neglect? How can you raise a concern with family and whānau in a way that is respectful, clear, and effective?

These are the kinds of questions explored in ECC’s upcoming online workshop “A Deeper Dive: Child Protection Practice in ECE Settings” presented by Safeguarding Children on Friday 13^th June 2024. This workshop builds on the successful “Child Protection: Policy to Practice” session, but is also designed to stand alone, meaning you don’t need to have attended the earlier session to benefit.

Real Scenarios, Practical Solutions

Facilitated by me, Ruth Browning, a senior consultant with Safeguarding Children and a social worker with over two decades of experience, the workshop offers a chance to unpack common safeguarding dilemmas in ECE settings. My practice is grounded in lived experience from the social work frontlines and informed by my academic background in social research and community work.

During the workshop, participants will explore practical ways to:

• Identify and respond to signs of neglect.
• Navigate staff conduct concerns.
• Initiate sensitive but necessary conversations with family and whānau.
• Implement best practice recording and monitoring systems.
• Understand and avoid Professional Dangerousness (a term used to describe well-meaning professionals who fail to act due to fear, confusion, or systemic barriers).

Why This Matters for Everyone in ECE

Child protection is not the responsibility of one designated person. It requires a whole-of-centre approach, where everyone understands their role, has the confidence to act, and feels supported by a culture that prioritises safety.

ECE professionals are frontline protectors. They are often the first to notice when something’s not quite right. Training builds the skills and confidence to trust your professional judgment, and most importantly, to act on it.

Who Should Attend the Workshop?‍

Everyone in ECE (leaders, kaiako, curriculum leads, admin staff) will gain from this deep-dive session.

Come join me for this session and let’s continue to strengthen our collective commitment to keeping children safe. Investing in child protection training is not only good practice, but also an essential part of being a trusted, child-centred ECE service.

Register now and join the conversation on creating safer, stronger early learning environments.