The health and safety of our children, families, team members, and communities remain our highest priority. On this page you will find information relating to the steps G8 Education is taking to support all children, families and teams within our centres to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Management Plan in Centres
All G8 Education centres across Australia continue to undertake safety measures to protect the health and safety of team members, children, families and the wider community, and reduce the risk of infection. Our COVID-19 Health and Safety Management Plan has been informed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee high-level advice for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
We will continue to comply with all public health directives and legislation, at national, state and local government levels, to protect the health and safety and reduce the risk of COVID-19 for everyone that attends our centres and support offices.
Families and Visitors Code of Conduct
We ask all families and visitors to our centres for their patience and understanding while we work together to minimise the impacts of the pandemic. Please refer to our Families and Visitors Code of Conduct for more information.
Vaccination Policy
We continually monitor and review our COVID-19 risk assessment and safety practices to ensure the health and safety of our children, families and teams. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for all team members, suppliers and contractors attending our centres and support offices. We continue to monitor all state and federal government advice and will advise families and team members of any updates to our policies and practices.
Response to Positive Cases
In the event a positive case is identified in centre, G8 Education will communicate with team members and families via email and Xplor and provide advice in accordance with local requirements.
Health and hygiene
Based on the advice from authorities, there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your families from COVID-19 and other illnesses. We continue to promote and practice these measures at all centres.
How to talk to children about COVID-19
It is understandable that this unprecedented situation has created anxiety among families, especially among young children. It is important they get all the support they need – both at our centres and at home.
Our educators are trained to guide and support children through difficult situations. There are several online guides about how you can talk to your children about COVID-19. Here is one from the global children’s agency, UNICEF.
https://www.unicef.org.au/blog/resources/march-2020/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-coronavirus
The Australian Government’s youth mental health initiative, headspace, has also produced a guide for older children.
https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
Support for family violence
COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation that may cause additional stress for many families.
If you, or someone you know, needs help with family violence, please contact the following helplines.
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Lifeline has a national number that can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state. Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis can call.
Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800
Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.