28 January 2026

Summertime Safety: Keeping Children Cool and Protected

With hot summer weather around, it’s essential for family day care services and educators to review summertime safety practices.  

Warmer weather can increase the risk of sunburn, dehydration and heat stress. Proactive planning and considerations to your environment help support children’s wellbeing and comfort. 

Reflections for your summertime play planning: 

• Water play safety: Identify and manage risks around all water-based activities and always ensure close, active supervision.  
• Surface temperature checks: Test playground and outdoor surfaces such as slides, climbing equipment and flooring before play. 
• Shade provision: Utilise natural shade such as trees or shade structures when outside. Remember that shade shifts as the sun moves, meaning your environment may require adjustments throughout the day. 
• Hydration: Offer water frequently and encourage regular drinking. Cooling options such as mist sprays or damp towels can also help. 
• Sun protection: Dress children in lightweight, light-coloured clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.  
• Monitor exposure: Plan outdoor activities outside of peak UV times and move activities indoors when temperatures or UV levels rise.  

Thoughtful adjustments to daily routines can help prevent heat-related incidents and keep children safe, active, and happy through the summer months.

ACECQA has a number of policy guidelines on:

• Water Safety
• Sun Protection
• Providing a Child Safe Environment

Get Ready for Mandatory National Child Safety Training

Mandatory national child safety training starts 27 February 2026.

The following people involved in early childhood education and care (ECEC) must complete the training:

• Persons with management or control
• Nominated supervisors
• Persons in day-to-day charge
• Family day care educators
• Other staff, volunteers and students.

The training is being developed by the Queensland Government and the Australian Centre for Child Protection, it will be available on Geccko.

To access and complete the training, all users must have an individual Geccko account. If you don’t have a Geccko account, you can register here.

Services can use the communication toolkit to encourage staff and educators to register early. If help is required, please visit the Department’s website.

Child Care Subsidy Periods of Emergency

The Australian Government Department of Education (the Department) have recently declared Child Care Subsidy (CCS) periods of emergency in several local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland and Victoria due to the impact of flooding and bushfire.

If services, families or educators have been affected by these emergencies, please visit the Department’s website to view the most up to date list of declared LGAs and timeframes.

Providers, services, and families in affected areas can access emergency support for the specified dates. The Department will continue to monitor emergency situations and update the list as needed.

For further information about the support that is available in the affected regions, click here.

Never Leave Children Alone in a Car

Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) has partnered with Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to deliver the Starting Out Safely program, which encompasses children, families, carers and early childhood educators working together to guide children’s learning in being and becoming safe and independent road users. 

Part of the program includes education around the importance of never leaving children or pets in the car unattended. It's against the law and can be dangerous, even fatal. You can download the relevant resource here. The resource is available to download in a number of languages here.

FREE FDCA 2026 Wall Planner Available to Download

FDCA’s 2026 Wall Planner is now available for download for all members! 

The planner captures important dates including school and public holidays, key events and celebrations for 2026.

Two sizes of the Wall Planner are available to download:

• A large A1 landscape sized version which displays all 12 months of the year (this version is best printed using a professional printer or through a retailer such as Officeworks); and
• A smaller A4 portrait version which displays one month per page (this can be printed at home or at the office).

Download your FREE Wall Planner via the links above or log in to your FDCA Member Zone and click on the Resources and Factsheets subheading.