Protect children from inappropriate material#

You must protect children from exposure to inappropriate material, such as material with an explicitly sexual or violent nature. This includes supervising children’s use of technology including the internet.

Read the requirements and how to meet them for your service type:

• HS126 Inappropriate material – Centre-based services
• HS223 Inappropriate materials – Home-based services
• HS313 Inappropriate material – Hospital-based services
• HS32 Inappropriate material – Kōhanga reo
• HS10 Inappropriate material – Playgroups.

Protect children from adults who are unwell#

If you suspect someone is physically or mentally unwell in a way that could pose a risk to children, you must prevent them from coming into contact with children at your service.

Physical or mental unwellness includes:

• any physical or mental condition that could be dangerous (for example, strange or disturbing behaviour, or aggression)
• any infectious or contagious disease or condition.

An unwell adult may need to be excluded from your premises. This is permitted by Regulation 57 of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.

Regulation 57 – New Zealand Legislation

If someone is under the influence of alcohol or drugs#

You must make sure no adults at your service are under the influence of alcohol or any other substance. This includes during drop-offs and pick-ups of children.

This applies to adults living in a home where home-based education and care takes place.

Read the requirements and how to meet them for your service type:

• HS127 Alcohol and other substances – Centre-based services
• HS224 Use of alcohol and other substances by coordinators and educators – Home-based services
• HS225 Use of alcohol and other substances by other people at the home – Home-based services
• HS315 Alcohol and other substances at the service – Hospital-based services
• HS33 Alcohol and other substances – Kōhanga reo
• HS9 Alcohol and other substances – Playgroups

Protect children from abusive adults#

You need to protect the children at your service from people who have: 

• physically ill-treated or abused a child or committed a crime against children 
• subjected a child to solitary confinement, immobilisation or deprived a child of food, drink, warmth, shelter or protection.

If you have reasonable grounds to believe that a person employed or engaged in the service, or any other person present has done these things, they: 

• must not be allowed to have any contact with children at your service, and 
• if required to keep children safe, should not be allowed on the premises while education and care are being provided. 

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, regulation 56 – New Zealand Legislation
 

Child car restraint#

Under New Zealand law, children under 7 years old must use an approved child restraint suitable for their age and size. If a child is 7 years old, they must be secured in a restraint if available in the vehicle.

The driver must make sure any child in their vehicle is safely secured in the right car seat.

The New Zealand Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi NZ has car restraint guidance you can share with whānau | families at your early learning service.

Child restraints – NZ Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi

If this approach does not make sure child restraints are used correctly, contact the Police.

Contact us – New Zealand Police

If you have concerns about a child’s safety it may be appropriate to also contact Oranga Tamariki.