Last Updated: [Insert Date]
Applies to: Learners, parents/guardians, staff, visitors
1. Our Commitment
We aim to provide a safe, caring, and supportive environment where children can learn, play, and grow with confidence.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, violence, harassment, or discrimination.
2. Safe School Environment
We maintain safety through:
- Supervised classrooms and play areas
- Controlled access to the school premises and visitor protocols
- Age-appropriate equipment and safe outdoor play practices
- Accident/incident recording and parent communication
- Emergency procedures (first aid, evacuation readiness, emergency contacts)
Important: If a child is injured or unwell, parents/guardians will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible.
In emergencies, we may seek urgent medical care and then notify parents immediately.
3. Staff Conduct & Professional Boundaries
All staff are expected to:
- Treat every child with dignity, respect, and fairness
- Use positive guidance and age-appropriate discipline (no humiliation or threats)
- Maintain appropriate physical contact only when necessary for care/safety and always in an appropriate manner
- Respect privacy during toileting and personal care, with supervision protocols where required
- Never be alone with a child in a secluded space without visibility, where possible
- Never engage in inappropriate communication with learners
4. Staff Screening & Training
We take safeguarding seriously. Where applicable, we aim to ensure:
- Reference checks during recruitment
- Verification of identity and relevant qualifications
- Ongoing training on safeguarding, safety, and child wellbeing
- Clear staff reporting channels for concerns
5. Drop-Off & Collection Safety
To protect learners:
- Children will only be released to an authorised parent/guardian or authorised person listed by the parent/guardian
- Parents must notify the school in advance if someone else will collect their child
- We may request identification if a collector is unknown to staff
- Late collection may result in additional supervision fees (see Fees Policy)
6. Reporting Concerns
If you have any concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing, please report it immediately to the Principal.
All reports will be handled sensitively and confidentially, and escalated where legally required.
- Step 1: Report to the Principal or designated safeguarding lead
- Step 2: The school records the concern and assesses immediate safety needs
- Step 3: Where necessary, the school follows reporting obligations and engages relevant authorities
Confidentiality: Information is shared only with those who need to know to protect the child and follow legal obligations.
7. Bullying & Behaviour Support
We guide behaviour in a developmentally appropriate way. We teach kindness, boundaries, and respect.
Any repeated harmful behaviour is addressed with parents/guardians through a supportive plan.
- Children are supported to use words, empathy, and safe choices
- Incidents are documented and communicated to parents when appropriate
- Ongoing concerns may result in a structured intervention plan
Irene Pre-Primary School
Irene, Centurion
Email: info@irenepreprimary.co.za
Phone: +27 XX XXX XXXX