Interim Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy For ACT Public Preschools

Purpose

1.1 This policy outlines the ACT Education Directorate’s (the Directorate) requirements relating to safe use of digital technologies and online environments within ACT Government preschools.

1.2 The policy covers roles, responsibilities, and obligations for all staff within the preschool environment including when preschool children are in the education and care of the preschool service. The policy’s purpose is to support child safe practices when using digital technologies and online platforms across ACT Government preschools.

Policy Statement

1.3 The Directorate is committed to ensuring the safety, privacy and well-being of children within ACT’s public preschools in collaboration with staff, students, families, the community, and health and inclusion support staff.

1.4 The safe and responsible use of digital technologies and online environments in early childhood education and care is paramount and is demonstrated by the Directorate through:

Professional, ethical, and responsible use of digital technologies
Respecting the rights of all children to feel safe, and be safe at all times
Safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of information captured, received, transmitted, or stored electronically
Ensuring the use of digital technologies complies with relevant Government policies and legislation

1.5 This policy is guided by the following principles:

Restrictions on personal devices - Staff, educators and volunteers must not have personal phones or digital devices capable of taking photos in areas where preschool children are present. Any exceptions should be for limited, essential purposes that are authorised in writing by the nominated supervisor.
Designated devices - Only official school or ACT Government issued devices must be used to capture, store or transmit images or videos of preschool children. Third party providers or contractors may capture, store or transmit images or videos with authorisation from the school, approved provider, parents/carers.
Privacy and consent - Images or videos of preschool children must only be taken for authorised or documented purposes taking into consideration privacy of the preschool children and if consent has been provided by parents/carers.
Secure storage - Images or videos of preschool children must be securely stored within approved online environments and deleted from devices within appropriate timeframes. Secure storage includes ensuring appropriate access control.

Scope

1.6 This policy applies to all ACT Government preschools and encompasses:

All staff (teaching and non-teaching), health and inclusion support staff, volunteers, students on placement, contractors and government employees attending preschools.
All parents/carers, and visitors while in the presence of preschool students, other than at a special event.
The use of all electronic devices capable of capturing images or videos.

1.7 This policy is applicable to preschool sessions occurring outside the immediate preschool environment including, but not limited, to incursions, excursions and events coordinated and managed by the ACT Education Directorate.

1.8 This policy does not apply to activities not managed or supervised by the school, e.g. outside school hours care (OSHC) or external providers using the preschool site for out of hours activities.

Context

1.9 The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has introduced the National Model Code and Guidelines, promoting a child-safe culture and best practices for managing images and videos of children and the use of digital technologies.

1.10 The National Quality Framework (NQF) requires providers to manage risks related to the digital privacy of children.

1.11 The Education and Care Services National Regulations, regulation 168 (2) (ha) requires services to have in place policies for the “Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies”.

1.12 This policy meets all legislative requirements with respect to the safe use of digital technologies which provide a child safe environment and promote a culture of child safety and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

1.13 Approved Provider (the Directorate) and Persons of Management & Control (PMC):

Application of the Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments Policy, associated documents and relevant legislation
Provide preschools with regular information on digital safety practices, including recognising and mitigating risks associated with digital technologies

1.14 Principals (Nominated Supervisors)

Implement the Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments policy and associated documents
Assess and approve written Personal Electronic Device Authorisation forms for essential purposes (e.g., health monitoring) and keep a copy on file and send to the Approved Provider
Assess and approve personal assistive technologies used by students to access education appropriate to their needs
Ongoing monitoring, review and approval of any authorised use of school-issued and personal electronic devices
Designation of special school events where photography is permitted and communication of event status to staff, families, carers and the community
Ensure professional photographers operating at the school have Working with Vulnerable People registration with no restrictions
Keep parents/carers, volunteers, students on placement or work experience, preservice teachers and visitors including trades people, photographers, and external providers informed about digital safety measures, policies, and any updates or changes
Ensure all school staff follow the personal device restrictions when working with preschool children in any capacity

1.15 Educators, staff (teaching and non-teaching), and volunteers:

Apply the Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments policy and associated documents. Only use school-issued electronic devices at ACT Government preschool sites or when working with preschool children
Ensure personal devices are stored away (e.g., in lockers or staff rooms) during contact hours
Implement and support teaching and learning programs that teach children online safety
Actively supervise children and the use of digital technologies by those within the surrounding environment

1.16 Parents/carers, and visitors (including other ACT Government staff)

Do not use personal electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smart watches or META sunglasses to take photos, record audio, or capture videos of children educated and cared for at the preschool (including their children).
ACT Government staff to inform the school via the business manager if they plan to use an ACT government device within the preschool environment
Parents/carers may use personal electronic devices to capture images at approved special school events to which parents/carers and community are invited
Professional photographers invited to take photographs of preschool children, in or outside the preschool environment, must have a Working with Vulnerable People registration with no restrictions and be supervised by a staff member at all times.
Report any concerns related to child safety, including inappropriate use of digital technology, to the approved provider (via Feedback and Complaints or 6205 5429) or nominated supervisor (school principal).

Monitoring and review

1.17 This policy is owned by the Executive Branch Manager, Early Childhood Education Branch.

1.18 Monitor and review of the policy will be undertaken by the Early Childhood Education Branch supported by the Directorate through assurance activities i.e. audits and reviews.

1.19 This is an interim policy and will be reviewed within one year of publication.

Contact

1.20 For support contact Early Childhood Education Branch via preschool@act.gov.au

Feedback

1.21 Any feedback about this policy, should be raised with the policy owner. Refer to Contact information above.

References

1.22 Definitions

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) – is the independent national authority that works with all regulatory authorities to administer the National Quality Framework.
Personal assistive technology – an assistive technology (AT) device is any item, piece of equipment, software, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities, helping them perform daily tasks, communicate, learn, and live more independently and inclusively.
Personal, School and ACT Government devices – all devices including laptops, notebooks, tablets, smart watches, digital cameras or mobile phones that have the capability to take images and that can connect to a digital communications network external to the ACT Government network.
Persons with management or control (PMCs) - A PMC is defined under the Education and Care Services National Law (National Law) as persons within or outside the approved provider who are responsible for managing the delivery of the provider’s service(s), or who have significant influence over the planning, direction or control of the activities or delivery of the service.
Special event – is an event hosted by the school that is held on or outside school grounds where parents/carers and community are invited to attend (for example, book week celebrations and concerts). The nominated supervisor is responsible for determining if an event is a special event under this policy.
Volunteer – a person who provides services directly to students or in support of students without financial gain or reward as organised by the school.

1.23 Legislation

Education and Care Services National Law ACT (2011)
Education and Care Services National Regulations (section 168)

1.24 Implementation Documents

1.25 Related Policies and Information

000126 Policy: is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete version of the document, available on the Directorate’s website at http://www.education.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/school_and_corporate_policies/A-Z/.

Policy Identifier: 000126

Date endorsed: 21 April 2026

Review date: April 2027

Implementation Documents:

Safe Use of Digital Technologies and Online Environments - Procedures ( Word 848.6 KB)

Related Policies and Information:

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