National Child Protection Week — Keeping Kids Safe Every Day

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National Child Protection Week runs from 6-12 September 2026, and its message is one that matters every day of the year: keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility. As parents, it can be uncomfortable to think about the risks children face, but knowledge is power. Understanding how to teach protective behaviours, what to look for in safe environments, and how quality childcare centres protect your child gives you the tools to be your child's strongest advocate.

This is not about creating fear. It is about building awareness, confidence, and a culture where children know they are safe, heard, and believed.

What Is National Child Protection Week?

Organised by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), Child Protection Week is an annual campaign that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children across Australia. The 2026 theme continues to centre on the idea that "Every child, in every community, needs a fair go."

In Australia, child protection notifications have risen steadily over the past decade. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reports that in 2023-24, there were over 280,000 notifications of suspected child abuse or neglect nationally. While not all notifications result in substantiation, these numbers remind us why prevention, education, and vigilance matter.

Teaching Protective Behaviours to Young Children

You do not need to scare your child to keep them safe. Protective behaviours education is age-appropriate, empowering, and built around simple concepts that even toddlers can understand.

1. Teach Body Autonomy

From an early age, children should learn that their body belongs to them. Use correct anatomical names for body parts — research consistently shows that this is one of the most effective protective factors for children.

Key messages:

• "Your body belongs to you"
• "No one should touch your private parts except to keep you clean or healthy, and even then, you can say if you are uncomfortable"
• "You never have to give hugs or kisses if you do not want to"

Model this by never forcing your child to hug or kiss a relative, and by respecting their "no" when they do not want to be tickled or picked up.

2. Teach the Difference Between Safe and Unsafe Feelings

Help your child understand the physical sensations of safe and unsafe feelings. Safe feelings are warm, relaxed, and happy. Unsafe feelings might be a tummy ache, a racing heart, or wanting to cry.

"If something ever makes your tummy feel funny or you feel scared, that is your body telling you something is not right. You can always come and tell me."

3. Establish Trusted Adults

Help your child identify three to five trusted adults they can go to if they feel unsafe or confused. These might be parents, grandparents, an aunt or uncle, a teacher, or a family friend. Practise naming them: "If something worries you, who could you tell?"

4. Teach "No Secrets That Make You Feel Bad"

Help your child understand the difference between surprises (fun, time-limited — like a birthday present) and secrets that make them feel sad, scared, or confused. "We do not keep secrets that make us feel bad. You can always tell Mum or Dad."

5. Use Books and Stories

Age-appropriate books are wonderful tools for protective behaviours education:

• Everyone's Got a Bottom by Tess Rowley (Australian, excellent for 3-8 year olds)
• My Body Belongs to Me by Jill Starishevsky
• No Means No! by Jayneen Sanders (Australian author)
• Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders

Read these together and discuss them in a calm, matter-of-fact way. Children take their cues from your tone — if you are relaxed, they will be too.

6. Practise Saying "No" and "Stop"

Give your child practice using assertive language. Role-play scenarios: "What would you say if someone asked you to do something that made you feel uncomfortable?" Praise them for using their strong voice.

7. Keep Communication Open

The most protective thing you can do is maintain an open, non-judgmental relationship with your child. Children who feel safe to talk to their parents about anything — including confusing or uncomfortable experiences — are far more likely to disclose if something is wrong.

Ask open-ended questions about their day. Listen without interrupting. Never dismiss their concerns, no matter how small they seem.

What to Look For in a Child-Safe Childcare Centre

When choosing childcare, safety goes beyond locked gates and first aid kits. Here is what a genuinely child-safe centre looks like:

Staff Screening and Training

• All staff hold current Working with Children Checks
• Staff are trained in child protection policies and mandatory reporting
• Regular professional development on child safety and protective behaviours
• Thorough recruitment processes including reference checks

Supervision and Visibility

• Open-plan rooms with clear sight lines
• Outdoor areas fully visible from inside
• Nappy changing and toileting areas are open (not behind closed doors)
• Staff-to-child ratios are always met or exceeded
• Relief and casual staff are properly screened

Policies and Procedures

• A clear child protection policy that is available to families
• A code of conduct for all staff, volunteers, and visitors
• Procedures for handling disclosures or concerns
• An open-door policy for parents — you should be able to visit at any time

Culture and Communication

• Children's voices are respected and listened to
• Children are never shamed, isolated, or physically punished
• Parents are kept informed and encouraged to raise concerns
• The centre creates a culture where children feel safe, heard, and valued

How Sonas Woodbridge Keeps Children Safe

At Sonas Woodbridge, child safety is embedded in everything we do. Every member of our team holds a current Working with Children Check, is trained in child protection and mandatory reporting, and is committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe and respected.

Our centre is designed with open-plan spaces and clear sight lines. Our toileting and nappy changing areas are open and visible. We maintain staff-to-child ratios that meet or exceed the National Quality Standard, and we have a strong culture of supervision and accountability.

We also integrate protective behaviours education into our programs. Our educators teach body autonomy, safe and unsafe feelings, and assertive language through stories, play, and everyday conversations. We believe that children who learn these concepts early are better equipped to stay safe throughout their lives.

Our door is always open to families. You are welcome to visit at any time, ask any question, and be an active partner in your child's safety and wellbeing.

What to Do If You Have a Concern

If you are worried about a child's safety — your own child or someone else's — here are the key contacts in Western Australia:

• Department of Communities (Child Protection): 1800 273 889 (available 24/7)
• Crisis Care: 1800 199 008
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Police: 131 444 (non-emergency) or 000 (emergency)

If your concern involves a childcare centre, you can also contact the WA Department of Education (Regulatory Authority) on 1800 199 383.

Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, speak up. It is always better to raise a concern that turns out to be nothing than to stay silent.

Key Takeaways

• Teaching protective behaviours from an early age empowers children and reduces risk
• Use correct body part names, teach body autonomy, and establish trusted adults
• Keep communication open — children who feel safe to talk are better protected
• Look for childcare centres with strong screening, supervision, and child-safe culture
• If you have a concern about a child's safety, contact the Department of Communities on 1800 273 889

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Ready to see play-based learning in action? Book a tour at Sonas Woodbridge or call us on (08) 6184 6055.