At Hopskotch Kindergarten, we are committed to protecting your privacy and providing quality early childhood education services. This policy outlines how we manage your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.
What Personal Information We Collect
Personal Information is information that identifies an individual. We collect information including:
- Names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers
- Emergency contact details
- Child’s date of birth, medical information, dietary requirements
- Financial information for fee payments
- Photographs and videos of children (with consent)
- Educational progress and development records
We collect this information through:
- Enrolment forms and correspondence
- Telephone, email, and face-to-face conversations
- Our website and online forms
- Emergency contacts and healthcare providers
- Educational assessments and observations
Why We Collect Personal Information
We collect your personal information for the primary purposes of:
- Providing quality early childhood education and care services
- Ensuring your child’s health, safety, and wellbeing
- Communicating with families about their child’s progress
- Meeting regulatory and compliance requirements
- Processing payments and managing accounts
- Emergency contact and medical care if required
We may also use your information for secondary purposes directly related to our primary purpose, where you would reasonably expect such use.
Sensitive Information
We may collect sensitive information including:
- Health information and medical conditions
- Dietary restrictions and allergies
- Cultural or religious practices relevant to care
- Any special needs or developmental considerations
This sensitive information is used only:
- For the primary purpose of providing appropriate care
- For directly related secondary purposes
- With your consent
- Where required by law
How We Store and Protect Your Information
Your personal information is stored securely and protected from:
- Unauthorised access, use, or disclosure
- Loss, misuse, or interference
- Modification when not authorised
We maintain physical and electronic security measures including:
- Locked filing cabinets for physical records
- Password-protected computer systems
- Staff training on privacy obligations
- Regular review of access permissions
Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information to:
Regulatory Bodies: Department of Education, ACECQA, and other government agencies as required by law
Healthcare Providers: In medical emergencies or with your consent for ongoing health management
Educational Support Services: Speech therapists, occupational therapists, or other specialists involved in your child’s development
Legal Requirements: Where disclosure is required or authorised by law
Third-Party Service Providers: Payment processors, software providers (with appropriate privacy safeguards)
We will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Photography and Social Media
With your written consent, we may:
- Take photographs and videos of your child for educational portfolios
- Use images for promotional materials (ensuring children are not individually identifiable)
- Share photos through our secure parent communication app
You can withdraw consent for photography at any time by notifying us in writing.
Cookies and Website Technologies
Our website uses cookies and tracking technologies including:
Google Analytics: To understand website usage and improve our online services Contact Forms: To process enquiries and tour bookings Marketing Tools: To provide relevant information about our services
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Access to Your Personal Information
You have the right to:
- Access personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Understand how your information is being used
To access your personal information, please contact us in writing. We will not charge a fee for access requests but may charge reasonable administrative costs for providing copies.
Retention of Records
We retain personal information for:
- Educational records: Minimum 7 years after your child leaves our service
- Financial records: 7 years from the end of the financial year
- Incident reports: As required by regulatory obligations
- Other records: As long as necessary for the purpose collected
When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.
Complaints and Enquiries
If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us:
Hopskotch Kindergarten
- Toongabbie Centre: (02) 9631 0953 | [email protected]
- Schofields Centre: (02) 9626 8727 | [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
- Phone: 1300 363 992
- Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/
- Email: [email protected]
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The current version will always be available on our website and at our centres.
Consent
By enrolling your child at Hopskotch Kindergarten and using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information as outlined in this Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at either of our centres or via email.
