Product Overview

The Childcare WHS Management Plan is a comprehensive, ready-to-use safety document specifically tailored for Australian childcare and early learning services. It provides a structured framework to manage work health and safety risks across long day care, occasional care, OSHC and vacation care environments. Developed by WHS professionals with childcare sector experience, this plan helps you meet your legal obligations while protecting children, staff, contractors and visitors.

This practical template walks you through the key elements of an effective WHS system, including hazard identification, risk assessment, incident reporting, emergency planning and consultation. It is written in clear, accessible language so it can be understood and implemented by Centre Directors, Nominated Supervisors, educators and support staff.

Key Features

• Childcare-specific WHS management structure covering indoor and outdoor environments, excursions, transport, safe sleep, infection control and more.
• Detailed sections on responsibilities, consultation, risk management, incident reporting and emergency preparedness.
• Built-in checklists to support daily safety checks, supervision, excursions, first aid, infection control and manual handling.
• Simple tables and templates for risk registers, incident reports, emergency drill records, training registers and chemical registers.
• Aligned with Australian work health and safety legislation, the National Quality Framework and relevant standards.

Benefits

• Strengthen WHS compliance: Demonstrate due diligence and a systematic approach to WHS compliance during regulatory visits, audits and quality assessments.
• Save time and effort: Avoid starting from scratch; adapt the pre-structured safety documentation to your service’s specific needs.
• Reduce incidents and injuries: Proactive risk management, clear procedures and regular checks help prevent accidents involving children and staff.
• Support a safety culture: Clear responsibilities, consultation processes and training records encourage a positive, safety-focused workplace.
• Improve consistency across sites: Ideal for multi-site providers wanting a standardised WHS framework for all centres.

Who is this for?

• Childcare and early learning centres (long day care, OSHC, vacation care, occasional care).
• Centre Directors, Nominated Supervisors and Educational Leaders responsible for WHS and quality improvement.
• Owners, operators and boards seeking assurance that robust work health and safety systems are in place.
• HR, compliance and quality managers who need reliable, sector-specific safety documentation.
• Consultants and advisors supporting services to improve WHS compliance and meet National Quality Standard requirements.

Legislation & References

This Childcare WHS Management Plan is designed to support compliance with relevant Australian work health and safety legislation and sector requirements, including:

• Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (jurisdiction-specific).
• Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations.
• National Quality Framework and National Quality Standard (particularly Quality Area 2 and Quality Area 3).
• Applicable Safe Work Australia model Codes of Practice and relevant Australian Standards.

While not a substitute for legal advice, this document provides a strong, practical foundation for managing WHS in childcare settings and can be readily customised to suit the size, complexity and specific risks of your service.