Keeping Children Safe
A Conversation for Parents and Educators

At Mini Masterminds, every centre is purpose-built with children’s safety at the forefront of design. We go above and beyond by incorporating glass walls, doors, and windows throughout our facilities to eliminate blind spots and maximise visibility. This transparent layout ensures educators can always remain present with children, fostering collaborative supervision across the service. By prioritising safety in this way, educators can confidently respond to children’s needs while engaging in meaningful interactions that extend learning and strengthen relationships.

Industry Standard: Children are to be supervised by staff in accordance to the ‘child to educator’ ratio throughout the day.

Mini Masterminds Standard: Centres are purpose built to facilitate clear and consistent visibility of children at all times (no blind spots)

At Mini Masterminds, we place the highest priority on safe sleep practices. Before commencing with us, every educator is required to complete safe sleep training, review and acknowledge our policies, and most importantly demonstrate a clear understanding of these procedures. This is not left to chance: all training and assessment are conducted in person as part of our induction process, before any educator supervises children.

Our safe sleep policies go above and beyond industry standards. For example, we conduct physical cot checks every five minutes during sleep periods, exceeding the guidelines set out by Red Nose and similar frameworks. These regular checks are not only essential for safety, but also allow educators to monitor each child’s wellbeing, comfort, and sleep patterns, ensuring they are supported to rest well, grow, and thrive each day

Industry Standard: Follow safe sleep guidelines like Red Nose

Mini Masterminds Standard: We conduct physical checks every 5 minutes during sleep periods, far exceeding the minimum requirement

Nappy changes are carried out in purpose-designed, hygienic spaces that prioritise children’s dignity and comfort. Female educators lead this routine, engaging in interactions that support language, attachment, and a child’s sense of security. Our nappy change rooms are intentionally designed with clear visibility from adjoining rooms, ensuring constant supervision, full transparency, and the elimination of potential blind spots. This is another above-and-beyond measure we take to ensure your child’s safety, dignity, and comfort whilst conducting nappy change procedures throughout the day. 

Industry Standard: Use clean and designated spaces

Mini Masterminds Standard: Design purpose-built, fully visible nappy change areas where female educators lead the routine.

Only the authorised contacts listed on your child’s enrolment form are permitted to collect them. If someone new is collecting your child, you must notify us in writing, and we will request valid photo identification on arrival. Educators are trained to strictly follow these procedures, and under no circumstances will a child be released to anyone who is not approved. This ensures your child is always safely handed over to the right person.

Industry Standard: In NSW, only parents or people you’ve listed on the enrolment form can pick up your child.

Mini Masterminds Standard: We go beyond industry standards by requiring photo ID, double-checks via our portal, and secure sign-out so your child is always released safely to an authorised contact.

Every educator begins their journey with a comprehensive induction that embeds our philosophy of child safety and wellbeing. We host a vast variety of mandatory training alongside our values, philosophy, policies and procedures here at Mini Masterminds. Such training is all hosted and conducted prior to the educator commencing supervisory work with your child. This training covers topics such as:

• Child Protection & Mandatory Reporting (NSW Dept. of Education compliance – identifying, responding, and reporting child protection concerns).
• Code of Conduct & Duty of Care (expectations for professionalism and safeguarding).
• Emergency & Evacuation Procedures (aligned with Regulation 97, including practical drills).
• Safe Sleep Training (policy induction + demonstration, as you already outlined – including above-industry standards such as 5-minute cot checks).
• Hygiene & Infection Control (nappy change procedures, handwashing, food safety basics).
• Supervision & Duty of Care Standards (focus on eliminating blind spots – glass walls, transparent spaces, etc.).
• Programming & Documentation Overview (using OWNA or chosen childcare platform).
• Interactions & Relationships (positive guidance, attachment-based care, respectful language).
• Values & Philosophy Induction (what sets Mini Masterminds apart).
• Centre-Specific Routines & Expectations (daily operations, educator roles, room allocations).
• Policy Acknowledgement & Sign-Off (ensuring educators demonstrate understanding of key policies before supervising children).

This comprehensive induction process ensures educators not only meet legal and regulatory obligations, but also clearly understand and embody Mini Masterminds’ point of difference in safety, transparency, and quality right from day one, while ongoing professional learning helps them apply this knowledge in ways that prioritise children’s safety, wellbeing, respect, dignity, rights and empower their voices.

Industry Standard: New staff must complete induction and mandatory training

Mini Masterminds Standard: Our educators undergo a comprehensive induction, including demonstrating procedures before supervising children

At Mini Masterminds, we are supported by a dedicated Quality, Compliance and Safety team— highly trained professionals with extensive experience in childcare regulation and best practice. Their full-time focus is on safeguarding our centres through regular audits, monitoring and ongoing reviews of safety procedures across each individual childcare facility’s needs. Alongside this, our educators engage in continuous reflective practice, reviewing routines and risk assessments to ensure every environment remains safe, responsive, and developmentally appropriate for each child.

Industry Standard: Services review policies regularly

Mini Masterminds Standard: Our dedicated Quality, Compliance and Safety team conducts ongoing audits, while educators review routines and risk assessments continuously

Clean, safe environments are integral to children’s health and ability to learn. Mini Masterminds has always committed to external commercial cleans across all its services on a weekly basis throughout the year. Educators also follow strict hygiene and sanitising practices, such as sterilising toys and equipment throughout the day, while also modelling positive routines such as handwashing, teaching children lifelong habits of care and responsibility for themselves and others.

Industry Standard: Follow basic hygiene procedures

Mini Masterminds Standard: We schedule weekly commercial cleans on top of strict daily sanitising

At Mini Masterminds, we cater for all special dietary requirements and provide alternative meals if your child prefers something different to the specially designed, highly nutritious menu offered on the day. All meals are freshly prepared on-site by our qualified chef, with dietary requirements carefully documented to ensure every child receives the appropriate meal. This process is further reinforced by your child’s educators, who are trained and fully aware of each child’s individual needs, providing an additional layer of safety and care.

At Mini Masterminds, we know how important it is for children to feel safe, happy, and nourished at mealtimes. That’s why we happily cater for all special dietary requirements and offer alternative meals if your child prefers something different to the specially designed, highly nutritious menu offered on the day. Meals are freshly prepared on-site by our qualified chef, with great care taken to ensure each child’s needs are clearly documented and followed. To give you extra peace of mind, your child’s educators who know their individual requirements double-check every meal before it’s served, ensuring your little one is always cared for with the highest attention to detail.

Mealtimes are more than just eating; they are social and learning experiences. Children sit together with educators close by to ensure safety, reduce choking risks, and promote positive eating habits. Dietary needs and allergies are carefully monitored, while conversations at the table build communication, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Industry Standard: Cater for dietary needs and supervise eating

Mini Masterminds Standard: A qualified chef prepares fresh meals daily, educators double check every meal against children’s dietary requirements before serving and supervising

As part of our thorough screening and interview process, we verify whether each educator holds current first aid training. In line with our compliance standards, all educators must either already possess, or commit to obtaining, a recognised first aid certificate before progressing to the offer stage. This requirement ensures they have a well-rounded understanding of emergency response, a capability we also test and assess during interviews. Equipping our educators with this knowledge not only enables them to act confidently in emergencies but also reinforces children’s trust that the adults around them can keep them safe.

Industry Standard: At least one staff member or nominated supervisor on site must hold an approved first aid qualification

Mini Masterminds Standard: All educators are required to hold or obtain first aid qualifications and training

At Mini Masterminds, we uphold the highest standards of child safety through rigorous recruitment and screening processes. Every educator must hold a current, valid, and unconditional Working With Children Check (WWCC), supported by thorough reference and background checks. To maintain a secure environment, all visitors, including parents attending tours are required to sign in through our record-keeping kiosk system. Visitors are then accompanied by a Mini Masterminds team member for the entire duration of their visit, ensuring safety, transparency, and peace of mind

Industry Standard: Staff must hold a valid Working with Children Check

Mini Masterminds Standard: We compliment Working with Children Checks with thorough background checks. All visitors are logged into our system and accompanied by staff

Partnerships with families are central to children’s learning and safety. Educators share daily updates, photos, and reflections through our digital secure digital platform, which is accessible only to enrolled families and Mini Masterminds staff. This provides families peace of mind and meaningful insights into their child’s experiences, growth and milestones throughout their time here at Mini Masterminds.

Industry Standard: Services must communicate with families

Mini Masterminds Standard: Families receive real time updates throughout the day through our secure digital platform

At Mini Masterminds, the use of personal devices such as mobile phones is strictly prohibited in all areas where children are cared for, including indoor and outdoor play spaces, bathrooms, and learning environments. Only Mini Masterminds issued devices may be used by educators to carry out their duties. This strict no-mobile-phone policy is a standard practice across all our centres, and we actively monitor and enforce it daily to ensure the highest level of safety, professionalism, and focus on the children in our care.

Childcare Standard: Restrict educator phone use around children

Mini Masterminds Standard: Personal phones are locked away before shifts. Only centre devices with authorised apps are permitted.