Designing for child safety and effective supervision

New national guidance has been released to support the design of education and care service premises and outdoor environments, with a strong focus on child safety and effective supervision. 

Whether you're planning to open a new service, undertake renovations or review an existing environment, this guidance provides practical advice to help identify risks, strengthen supervision practices and ensure children’s safety and wellbeing through building design. 

Under Regulation 115 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, education and care service premises must be designed and maintained in a way that always facilitates supervision of children, while maintaining the rights and dignity of the children. 

The guidance highlights key design principles such as clear sightlines, which minimise blind spots and reduce isolated spaces, helping services create environments that support effective supervision and enhance children's safety. 

It also includes practical examples, 3D renderings, reference photographs and nationally agreed approaches to designing safer environments for children. 

Additional case studies will also be developed and shared through ACECQA’s We Hear You blog, showcasing how services that have strengthened supervision practices through environmental and design enhancements. 

Explore the guidance:

Facilitating Supervision and Child Safety through Building Design - Regulation 115