Child Safety at the Heart of Everything at Little Angels Mascot

Child safety is more than a priority at the Y NSW’s Little Angels Mascot; it is the foundation of every decision, policy and interaction, creating a secure environment where children can thrive.

During a time where parents and guardians are seeking greater confidence in childcare, the team of educators at Little Angels Mascot assures families that they are committed to providing a supportive and safe environment.

“We prioritise child safety in many ways; the key one is that we always have two educators present,” said centre director Sharon Pickard, referring to the two-educator model that forms part of the Y NSW’s Prioritising Child Safety advocacy campaign.

“We also support educators’ confidence in supervision and give them tools and guidance on how they can develop more skills around supporting the children in safeguarding.”

The additional supervision has no impact on the amount of joy and confidence-building that children get to experience!

“We make sure that they have fun, express themselves and explore, but we also make sure they are safe and that we have the right resources for everyone,” said educator Emily Andriki.

“I work in the kitchen as well, so to me child safety also means making sure everyone’s needs – like allergies and food preferences – are met.”

For educator Jacelyn Jacelyn, child safety is also about clear communication.

“We always make sure to listen to what children say to us, we always stand at the same level as the children, we acknowledge everything that they tell us, and we make sure they are safe,” she said.

That duty extends past the walls of the childcare centre.

“To me, child safety is about keeping children safe no matter where they are within the community – whether they are in their homes, or if we’re out and about on excursions, or within the centre itself,” said assistant manager and education leader Laura McDermott.

“We do everything we can to keep them safe and give them the skills to keep themselves safe.”

And it’s not only children and families that benefit from their time at Little Angels Mascot.

“This centre is so special because it feels like a family. The team here is amazing, welcoming, and are genuinely happy to be here to learn and play with the children,” said Jacelyn.

Emily echoed Jacelyn’s feelings.  

“The longer that I have worked here, the more I feel at home,” she said.

“Everyone is like family; we can read each other, we support each other, and we talk to each other. Even outside of the centre, we have a great bond; that’s why I really like this centre.”

That family feel is what attracted Laura to Little Angels Mascot after moving to Australia from Ireland.

“All of the educators are so welcoming, and our director Sharon is like a second mum to all the educators. She looks out for everything that we need and it’s a lovely environment to work in,” Laura said.

Everyone in the Little Angels Mascot family shares the same values.

“I feel like everyone here is here to do the right thing by children and make sure they are engaged, learning, developing, safe and secure, and that they’re giving them the tools they need to communicate with others.” Sharon said.

“We are a community-based project, so we try to involve the families as best as we can, and it’s so nice to see those relationships develop when the children are six weeks old all the way up until they leave for school.”

Learn more about Little Angels Mascot and join their family by visiting their website here.

If you want to find out more about how the Y NSW ensures children are safe, connected and thriving, read about our Prioritising Child Safety campaign online.