National Model Code - Communications toolkit
Campaign materials to share
ACECQA, in partnership with all governments, has released a set of recommended child safe practices for the use of electronic devices when taking, sharing and storing photos and/or videos of children in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The recommended practices are outlined in a National Model Code.
This Communications toolkit is for you to share with education and care providers, services and your professional networks:
- Online content – newsletter article/website content
- Video
- Resources
- Social media tiles - Facebook, X and Instagram.
Online content
Building upon and strengthening a safe culture for children
ACECQA, in partnership with all governments, has released a set of recommended child safe practices for the use of electronic devices when taking, sharing and storing photos and/or videos of children in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The recommended practices are outlined in a National Model Code.
The National Model Code is voluntary and transitional in nature, while regulatory reform around these issues is explored by governments.
The National Model Code recommends that services adopt the following practices:
- only service-issued devices should be used to take photos and/or videos of children
- personal electronic devices that can take and/or record images are not to be carried when providing ECEC, unless for authorised essential purposes such as emergencies, health and family needs
- strict controls should be in place for storing and retaining children's images and recordings.
The Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework confirmed that the National Quality Framework (NQF) is a robust regulatory scheme, with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement to ensure children are safe, healthy and thriving. However, the Review found it could be further enhanced in a number of child safety areas, including in relation to the taking, sharing and storing photos and/or videos of children.
Early childhood educators are leaders in creating child safe environments. The National Model Code is intended to support and enhance relevant child safety activities and strategies in place across the ECEC sector. Many approved providers of ECEC services already limit or restrict the use of electronic devices.
Approved providers and their services are encouraged to consider and voluntarily adopt the recommended practices within the National Model Code. Adopting the National Model Code will support a child safe culture and assist approved providers and services towards any future regulatory requirements in this area.
The National Model Code has been designed for centre-based services approved under the NQF, whose primary purpose is to educate and care for children 0-5 years old (long day care and pre-school / kindergarten services). However, providers of other types of ECEC services and approved providers of outside school hours care services may choose to consider adopting similar practices within their own contexts.
Guidelines that accompany the National Model Code have been developed to assist approved providers with this process.
Video
Resources
National Model Code - Guidelines
National Model Code - Frequently Asked Questions
National Model Code - Poster 1
National Model Code - Poster 2
Social media tiles
Social media post text:
ACECQA, in partnership with all governments, has released a set of recommended child safe practices for using electronic devices, when taking images or videos of children in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
For more information, visit www.acecqa.gov.au/national-model-code-images-ecec
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