Confidentiality and Privacy

Policy Statement

Early childhood education and care services require personal information from families to provide appropriate and responsive care. This information needs to be maintained and managed by the centre in a private and confidential manner. The centre will maintain private and confidential files for educators, children and their families. These records will be securely stored and maintained. The centre will maintain records according to the National Privacy Principles.

Education and Care Services National Regulation 2011: 177-184

Link to National Quality Standard: 7.3.1, 7.3.5

Policy Guidelines

The Approved Provider Will:

Ensure that information collected from families, educators and the community is maintained in a private and confidential manner at all times.
Ensure that such information is not divulged or communicated (directly or indirectly) to another person other than the ways outlines as appropriate in the Education and Care services National Regulations 2011, 181, which says information can be communicated:
- To the extent necessary for the education, care or medical treatment of the child.
- To the parent of the child to whom the information relates (except for information in staff records)
- To the regulatory authority or an authorized officer
- As authorized, permitted or required to be given by or under any act or law
- With the written consent of the persona who provided the information.

Nominated Supervisor Will:

Maintain up-to-date enrolment records, including information from families on immunization, updates, contact details of family members, emergency contact information and any medical or legal information required by the centre.
Ensure that centre records, personnel records, CCB information and children’s information is stored according to policy and remains private and confidential within the centre at all times.

Educators Will:

Maintain children’s information and store documentation according to policy at all times.
Not share information about the centre, management information, other educators or children and families without written permission or legislative authority.