Child safety is everyone's responsibility
At AQUAKids we are committed to providing a learning environment where children feel safe, supported, respected and valued. As a swim school in Smithfield working closely with children and families every day, we recognise our responsibility to promote child wellbeing in every aspect of our programs and operations.
Our team actively works to create a culture where children are listened to, encouraged and protected while building confidence in and around the water. Every AQUAKids instructor holds a current NSW Working With Children Check, and you're welcome to meet the team or watch a lesson from the poolside before you enrol anybody.
A safe environment
AQUAKids is committed to creating a calm, inclusive and child-focused atmosphere where students can learn safely and confidently. We support child safety by:
- Maintaining clear sightlines across all teaching areas
- Supervising children during lessons at all times
- Keeping class sizes appropriate for student ages and abilities
- Encouraging positive communication between teachers and students
- Promoting respectful behaviour from staff, students and spectators
- Maintaining clean, safe and well-monitored facilities
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting child safety, and are encouraged to remain engaged throughout their child's swimming journey.
Who we hire
Child safety is considered throughout our recruitment and onboarding. Before joining the AQUAKids team, staff are required to:
- Hold a valid Working With Children Check
- Provide professional references
- Demonstrate suitable experience working with children
- Hold relevant aquatic industry qualifications
- Understand and agree to our child safe expectations and workplace standards
We seek team members who are patient, respectful, professional and committed to creating positive experiences for children and families.
How we train them
All AQUAKids staff are expected to uphold high standards of conduct and professionalism when working with children. Our team receives ongoing training in:
- Child safe practices
- Recognising and responding to concerns
- Appropriate communication with children
- Inclusive teaching approaches
- Water safety and emergency procedures
- Professional boundaries and expected behaviours
We regularly review our practices to make sure our staff continue to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
Behaviour and concerns
AQUAKids does not tolerate behaviour that places a child's physical or emotional wellbeing at risk. We encourage children, families and staff to speak up about any behaviour or situation that causes concern, including:
- Inappropriate communication or conduct
- Bullying or intimidating behaviour
- Unsafe teaching or supervision practices
- Discrimination, exclusion or harassment
- Breaches of professional boundaries
All concerns are taken seriously and managed respectfully, fairly and confidentially.
Talking to us
We value open and respectful communication with all families. Please speak with management if you:
- Have concerns about a child's wellbeing or experience
- Notice unsafe behaviour or practices
- Need support or clarification on policies or procedures
- Want to give feedback about your child's lessons
Privacy and confidentiality
AQUAKids respects the privacy of all families and understands the importance of protecting personal information. Any information relating to students, families, incidents or concerns is stored securely and only accessed by authorised personnel when necessary. Information is only shared externally where required by law, or to protect the safety and wellbeing of a child.
We also keep a simple, anonymous record of how the website is used — which pages are visited, and whether the enquiry form and phone number get used — so we can see it's working well. It doesn't use cookies, and it never stores anything that could identify you or your family.
Our policies
Our child safe practices are guided by:
- NSW child protection requirements
- Industry standards for aquatic education
- Safe supervision and operational procedures
- Staff codes of conduct and professional expectations
Policies and procedures are reviewed regularly to support continuous improvement and best practice.
Emergencies and incidents
AQUAKids has procedures in place to respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies, incidents and safety concerns. All incidents involving children are documented and reviewed by management. Where necessary, families and relevant authorities are informed in line with our legal and reporting obligations. Our priority is always the immediate safety and wellbeing of the child.
Questions about any of this?
Child safety is the one subject we would always rather over-explain than under-explain. Ask us anything — a real person answers.