Childcare Insurance
Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Canberra

A childcare service should explain its delivery model and the activities children take part in. Identify the type of service, locations, age groups and whether care includes excursions, transport or activities away from the premises. Describe staffing and the use of relief workers, contractors and volunteers. The broker needs to understand who operates the service and who controls the building, equipment and daily program. Include any shared premises or arrangements with another organisation. A service’s name or registration description may provide useful context, but the insurance proposal should also reflect what children and staff actually do.

Look at responsibilities around the care itself. Enrolment systems, authorised collection, medication information, food provision and communication with families may rely on different people and technology. Explain who maintains playground equipment and whether transport is operated directly or by a contractor. Ask how the proposed wording treats professional or supervision allegations, premises incidents, equipment and privacy events. Raise safeguarding-related exclusions and available options explicitly with the broker rather than assuming they are addressed by a broad liability heading. Use qualified advisers and the relevant authorities for regulatory questions; insurance should be assessed alongside the service’s operational responsibilities.

Bring enrolment terms, premises agreements, transport contracts and relevant funding or service arrangements to the review. Identify responsibilities for supervision, equipment, maintenance and activities delivered by outside providers. Keep family instructions and permissions in the authorised record system and ensure staff can identify the current version. For excursions or special activities, retain the actual plan and approved arrangements rather than a generic form unrelated to the event. Where a contract asks the service to indemnify another party or accept unfamiliar responsibilities, obtain appropriate advice and discuss the insurance implications before relying on the proposed cover.

Maintain records that support an accurate account of service delivery. Depending on the activity, these may include attendance, staff allocation, collection authorisations, incident details and equipment maintenance. Describe the procedures in use and any changes being implemented, without claiming that a written policy alone establishes compliance. Protect family and child information through appropriate access and storage arrangements. For property insurance, keep the fit-out and equipment schedule current and distinguish items owned by the landlord. Consider how essential contact and care information could be accessed securely if the main system or premises became unavailable during an operating day.

If a child is injured or a family raises a concern, prioritise welfare and follow the service’s appropriate professional response arrangements. Record the facts promptly, separating direct observations from information reported later. Preserve original records and relevant communications using the required privacy safeguards. Check insurance notification and assistance arrangements and coordinate the response through the appropriate person. Do not treat contacting the insurer as a substitute for obtaining any separate professional or regulatory guidance needed. Seek advice before accepting liability or offering compensation, while continuing to communicate respectfully with the family about the practical next steps.

Before renewal, review capacity, age groups, staffing, locations and the activities offered. Adding transport, a new excursion program or another service site should be discussed specifically. Update building and equipment values and consider the practical arrangements if rooms became unusable. A continuity plan may need to address authorised alternative premises, family communication and access to essential records, with suitable professional input. Ask the broker how the proposed program identifies the operating entities and activities and what exclusions or conditions are material. The review should remain grounded in the current service and the actual policy terms.