G8 Education, a leading national provider of quality early education and care, welcomes today’s joint announcement by Federal Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare MP, and Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minster for Youth, The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, introducing a new voluntarily National Model Code and Guidelines for the use of personal phones in early childhood education and care services.

G8 Education’s Chief Executive Officer Pejman Okhovat confirmed G8 Education’s support of the voluntary code that forms part of a range of actions Federal, State and Territory Governments are taking to respond to the 16 recommendations of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework.

“G8 Education is committed to a culture of safety where safeguarding children within our centres is paramount. We are encouraged by the joint release of the code as a benchmark standard to ensure the safety of children is always the number one priority,” Mr. Okhovat said.

“The safety and wellbeing of children in our care is our highest priority which is reflected in the practices and supporting polices that guide the operations in our centres. The operations in our centres have aligned with the guidelines outlined in the voluntary code for several years.

“We unreservedly welcome its release and encourage all sector operators to adopt the voluntary code and to ensuring personal electronic and mobile devices are not taken into areas where children are present.”