By BEST Childcare Consulting
In today’s connected world, even our youngest children are growing up surrounded by digital devices, streaming content, and interactive toys. For children under five, technology can open doors to creativity, connection, and discovery — but only when guided by safe, respectful, and intentional practices.
As educators, we hold a powerful role in shaping children’s early experiences with technology. By modelling balanced, mindful, and secure digital use, we help children build lifelong habits of safety, kindness, and confidence online. The eSafety Commissioner’s Early Years program is an invaluable national resource supporting this journey (www.esafety.gov.au).
For services striving for an Exceeding rating under the National Quality Framework (NQF), embedding proactive and reflective online-safety practices is not only a compliance measure — it’s a statement of care, leadership, and excellence. When we nurture digital wellbeing alongside emotional, physical, and cultural safety, we empower children to explore their world — both online and offline — with curiosity and confidence.
Online and digital safety is part of your legal and regulatory obligations in Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC).
- Legal & Regulatory Requirements
Under the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012, services must ensure:
- Section 165 – Offence to inadequately supervise children
→ This extends to all environments — including when children use digital devices, online content, or digital games as part of programming. - Section 167 – Offence relating to protection of children from harm and hazards
→ “Harm” and “hazards” explicitly include psychological or emotional harm, such as exposure to unsafe online material or cyber risks.
So even though the law doesn’t use the word “online”, it requires you to protect children from all foreseeable harm — which now includes digital harm.
Education and Care Services National Regulations – eSafety Connections
- Regulation 84 – Awareness of child protection law
Educators and staff must understand and follow current child-protection laws — including responsibilities related to online safety and exposure to digital harm. - Regulation 155 – Interactions with children
Educators must maintain respectful and positive interactions; this includes using technology, photos, and videos in ways that protect children’s dignity and privacy. - Regulation 156 – Relationships in groups
Group use of digital tools must be inclusive, respectful, and supervised to ensure every child feels safe and supported. - Regulation 168(2)(h) – Policies and procedures on child-safe environments
Services must have written policies that address both physical and digital safety, including the use of devices, apps, and online content within the service. - Regulation 181 – Confidentiality of records
Any digital information, images, or recordings of children must be securely stored and shared only with authorised persons. - Regulation 182 – Storage of records and documents
Digital data and photos must be kept safe from unauthorised access, consistent with privacy obligations. - Regulation 183 – Access to information
Families have the right to access digital information about their child, reinforcing transparency and trust. - Regulation 184 – Keeping of records
Services must ensure that any electronic records comply with legislative storage and retention requirements.
2. Child Safe Standards (National Principles)
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations apply to all early childhood settings.
Principle 8: Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for harm.
This makes eSafety not optional — it’s a mandatory expectation under national child-safety frameworks.
In WA, the ECRU (Education and Care Regulatory Unit) checks that your policies and practices align with these standards, including your use of digital devices, apps, online portfolios, social-media sharing, and digital records.
3. Quality Standards and Exceeding Practice
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
- Element 2.2.1: “At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.”
→ Harm now includes digital exposure, image sharing, or unsafe online interactions.
Quality Area 7 – Governance and Leadership
- Services must implement robust policies on image use, digital devices, and online safety and train staff accordingly.
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative Partnerships
- ACECQA expects services to engage families in conversations about digital safety and consent when photos/videos are shared online.
4. Practical Application: Programming & Policy
You should include eSafety in your programming, but it should be developmentally appropriate for under-5s.
Examples:
- Storybooks and group discussions about “asking an adult for help” if they see something strange online.
- Role-play consent: “Can I take your photo?” “Yes/No.”
- Family tech-agreement posters co-created with children.
- Educator modelling: balanced screen use, respectful image sharing.
Policy requirement:
Every service must have a written Digital Technology and Online Safety Policy (or integrated under “Child Safe Environment Policy”) that covers:
- Device supervision
- Image use and sharing
- Data storage and privacy
- App and software vetting
- eSafety education for children, families, and educators
BEST Hot Tip
To demonstrate Exceeding practice, link your Digital Technology and Online Safety Policy directly to QA 2 and QA 7 in your QIP. Provide evidence that: All staff completed eSafety training, Families co-developed a tech-agreement and Children engaged in age-appropriate eSafety activities
Relevance for Children Under 5 Years Old
Children under 5 are already engaging with digital devices. Early exposure makes it vital for educators to model safe habits, choose appropriate content, supervise use, and teach help-seeking behaviours. Embedding digital citizenship within early learning experiences ensures that children build strong foundations for safety, trust, and responsibility online. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/children-under-5/start-talking-online-safety
Training for Early Childhood Educators
The eSafety Early Years program offers free professional learning modules for educators and leaders, aligned with the NQF and Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Modules such as We SAY and SHARE, We MAKE and DO, and We WATCH and EXPLORE can be used to build staff capability and inform service policy reviews. All educators should complete the eSafety checklist and include online-safety reflection in QIP cycles. : https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/training-for-professionals/early-years
Advice for Parents and Carers
Services can help families build confidence in supporting their children’s safe digital experiences. Key messages include starting conversations early, supervising device use, choosing appropriate content, modelling good online behaviour, and creating family tech agreements. Parents can visit the eSafety website for resources such as the ‘Online Safety for Under 5s’ booklet and family agreement templates. : https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/focus-on-under-5s/online-safety-for-under-5s-booklet
Activity Ideas for Children Under 5
• ‘My Family Tech Agreement’ Poster – Co-create with children and families rules like asking for help, choosing safe apps, and being kind online.
• Digital Story Time – Read the eSafety picture book *Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5* and discuss what it means to be safe online. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/children-under-5
• ‘We Watch & Ask for Help’ Exploration Tray – Supervised tablet use with educator prompts to practice safe decision-making.
• Consent Role Play – Children practice saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to photo-taking, learning about consent and sharing safely. https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/early-years-program
• Tech Talk Wall – Families and children share notes about how they use technology safely at home and at the service.
QIP Write-Up
QA 1: Educational Program & Practice
Embedded Practice
The program embeds digital-technology experiences which intentionally scaffold children’s understanding of online safety, empowering them to make safe and informed choices. Educators intentionally plan experiences that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and discussion about kindness and respect online.
Critical Reflection
Educators regularly reflect on how technology use supports—not replaces—learning outcomes, evaluating digital tools for developmental appropriateness. These reflections are documented in staff meetings and QIP updates to continually refine practice.
Meaningful Engagement
Families and children contribute ideas about technology use and online experiences through feedback, photos, and discussions. These contributions influence program decisions, ensuring that learning reflects each family’s digital context and values.
QA 2: Children’s Health & Safety
Embedded Practice
Digital-device use is supervised and balanced with physical play to ensure children’s holistic wellbeing. Educators model screen balance and guide children in recognising when it’s time to move, rest, or play offline.
Critical Reflection
Policies on digital use, image capture, and data storage are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with eSafety and child-safe standards. Reflections after incidents or new technologies lead to timely updates in procedures and educator training.
Meaningful Engagement
Children practice asking for help and use clear language for uncomfortable or confusing online experiences. Families are informed and invited to share home strategies, building consistent safety messages between settings.
QA 3: Physical Environment
Embedded Practice
Technology is located in shared spaces where adult supervision is visible and engagement is interactive. Screens and devices are used to extend, not limit, exploration and creativity.
Critical Reflection
Educators evaluate the setup of learning spaces to ensure technology enhances engagement and safety. Device audits and risk assessments are conducted to ensure age-appropriate, safe use.
Meaningful Engagement
Posters, charts, and digital-safety reminders are co-created with children and families to reinforce safe use. These visual cues strengthen shared responsibility for a safe environment.
QA 4: Staffing Arrangements
Embedded Practice
All educators complete the eSafety Early Years professional learning and apply their knowledge in everyday practice. Training is embedded into induction and professional development plans.
Critical Reflection
Leaders support critical dialogue and mentoring around digital-safety dilemmas, promoting a learning culture. Educators reflect on case studies or scenarios to improve collective decision-making.
Meaningful Engagement
Supervision strategies are reviewed collaboratively to ensure interactive, purposeful, and safe technology use. Teams celebrate success stories and improvements, reinforcing a shared vision of safety.
QA 5: Relationships with Children
Embedded Practice
Educators talk openly with children about how to stay safe online, using stories, visuals, and gentle questioning. These conversations build children’s confidence in seeking help.
Critical Reflection
Children’s voices are collected during discussions or play and used in reflection notes and planning cycles. Educators consider children’s understanding and adapt approaches for different developmental stages.
Meaningful Engagement
Educators model respectful digital citizenship, such as asking permission before taking photos and showing empathy online. Children are encouraged to share what kindness and safety mean to them.
QA 6: Collaborative Partnerships with Families & Communities
Embedded Practice
The service shares eSafety information, workshops, and newsletters to build families’ confidence in managing online safety at home. Families are invited to co-create digital-agreement posters or policies.
Critical Reflection
Feedback from families on digital practices informs QIP goals and service improvements. Educators reflect on how family engagement can further enhance children’s safety and inclusion.
Meaningful Engagement
Community connections are strengthened through participation in eSafety webinars, library programs, and digital-literacy events. These partnerships show families that digital wellbeing is a shared community priority.
QA 7: Governance & Leadership
Embedded Practice
Leadership reviews all digital-technology, image, and data policies to ensure alignment with eSafety and the Child Safe Standards. Policy updates are communicated clearly to all stakeholders.
Critical Reflection
Leaders embed digital safety into continuous improvement, tracking training completion and evaluating policy impact. Reflective discussions with staff identify gaps and drive responsive action.
Meaningful Engagement
Feedback from families, audits, and educator reflections are used to shape governance decisions. Leadership celebrates achievements publicly, promoting transparency and trust in their approach to digital safety.
Useful Links and Resources
eSafety Commissioner – Early Years Program: https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/early-years-program
Online Safety for Under 5s (Parents): https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/children-under-5
Free eSafety Early Years Training for Educators: https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/training-for-professionals/early-years
Online Safety for Under 5s Booklet: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/focus-on-under-5s/online-safety-for-under-5s-booklet
Family Tech Agreement Template: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/children-under-5
Learning Hub: eSafety Early Years Course: https://learninghub.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/elearning/esafety-early-years-creating-a-safe-online-environment/
National Model Code for Digital Devices & Images: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood
BEST Childcare Consulting: https://www.braig.com.au
Key References
eSafety Commissioner – Early Years Program: https://www.esafety.gov.au/educators/early-years-program
National Law and Regulations – ACECQA: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-law-regulations
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations: https://childsafestandards.gov.au/
ECRU – WA Department of Communities: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/education-and-care-regulatory-unit
ACECQA QA2 Guidance on Digital Safety: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/NQF-resources
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST Childcare Consulting, we support services to move from compliance to visionary practice. By embedding eSafety Early Years principles and mapping them across all seven Quality Areas, your service can demonstrate Exceeding-level leadership in digital citizenship for young children.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
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