Privacy Policy

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Privacy Policy

Educate Me Montessori is dedicated to safeguarding your privacy.

This privacy policy outlines how Educate Me Montessori collects, manages, uses, and shares personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) as amended (including the Australian Privacy Principles) (Privacy Act). Additionally, it explains how individuals can access, correct, or raise concerns about their information held by Educate Me Montessori.

If you are a parent, guardian, or carer of a child enrolled or considering enrollment with Educate Me Montessori services, any references to “your” personal information or privacy in this privacy policy include references to your child’s personal information or privacy (as applicable).

We may update our privacy policy periodically by posting changes on our website. We encourage you to review our website regularly to stay informed about our current privacy policy.

Purpose

Educate Me Montessori collects and uses personal information about parents, carers, children, employees, and stakeholders primarily to deliver high-quality, personalized early childhood education, care, and health services. We differentiate ourselves by offering a holistic approach to education that prioritizes not only learning but also the overall health and well-being of your child. Our facilities are purpose-built to foster an environment where children aged 0-6 can learn, develop, and begin to shape their own unique identities.

We ensure that the purpose for which your personal information is collected will be clear at the time it is obtained. However, the reasons for collecting and using personal information may include providing early childhood education, documenting children’s development, managing enrollments, administrative and billing purposes, employment-related purposes, and keeping you informed about our organization, services, and activities.

You have the right to opt-out of receiving information about our organization, services, and activities. You can exercise this right by contacting our Privacy Officer, whose details are provided at the end of this policy.

Educate Me Montessori will only use personal information:

  • For the purpose it was collected.
  • For a purpose related to those described above which would reasonably be expected by you.
  • For a purpose for which you give your consent.

As otherwise permitted by law (including for law enforcement or public health and safety reasons).

Personal Information and Sensitive Information We May Collect and Hold

Parents and Carers: If you are a parent, guardian, or carer of a child enrolled or considering enrollment with Educate Me Montessori services, we may collect the following personal information about you: name, gender, address, phone numbers, email address, date of birth, bank account details, credit card number, tax file number, Centrelink Customer Reference Number, photographic identification documents, and other information relevant to providing childcare and related services.

Additional or Emergency Contacts: If you are listed as an Additional Contact for a child enrolled or considering enrollment with Educate Me Montessori services, or an Emergency Contact for an employee, we may collect the following personal information about you: name, phone number, and email address.

Children: We collect the following personal information about a child or children enrolled or considering enrollment with our services: name, gender, address, Centrelink Customer Reference Number, date and place of birth, birth certificate, Medicare number, care arrangements, dietary requirements, languages spoken, physical and social developmental information, any additional or special needs, photographs and videos of children, and general material about your child and your family that assists us in providing high-quality, personalized learning and care services.

We also collect certain sensitive information about children enrolled or considering enrollment with our services, including immunization status, specific religious or cultural requirements, medical conditions, and details of medical care needs.

Employees: If you apply for a job with Educate Me Montessori, we may collect and hold personal information about you relevant to your application for employment, including your name, contact details, resume, employment history, academic records, working with children and police checks, and medical information (including immunization status), where relevant.

Methods of Collection

Personal Information: We will collect your personal information directly from you, unless it is unreasonable or impractical to do so. Some ways we may collect your personal information include through our standard forms, our website, email or mobile apps, phone conversations, conversations with a third person (such as a parent or guardian), or from nominated third parties (such as employment references). Photos and videos of children may also be collected and used with specific consent from families or carers.

If you visit our website, we may collect certain technical details about your computer and web browser, and we use cookies and analytical technologies to enhance your online experiences and for direct marketing. You can choose to reject cookies by changing your browser settings, but this may affect the functionality of our online services.

Generally, if you choose not to provide certain personal information, we may not be able to process your application or provide you with the level of service we aim to deliver.

Sensitive Information: We acknowledge that some of the information we collect is sensitive personal information (e.g., health information or religious affiliations). We collect this information when reasonably necessary for delivering our services, especially health services, and ensuring the well-being, protection, and development of children in our care. We will only collect sensitive information with your consent and ensure it is securely stored.

Storage and Security of Information
We take all reasonable steps to protect personal information we hold from unauthorized access, modification, misuse, loss, and disclosure. Information may be stored in paper or electronic format at our premises and/or at our support office, or in storage facilities owned and operated by ourselves or our service providers. We may store, process, or back up your information on computer servers or storage facilities located within Australia and overseas, including through third parties who provide services to our business. We have systems in place to maintain high-level security over information we hold, particularly regarding the management of medical records, which are kept confidential and only accessed by authorized persons.

Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme
In the event of any loss, unauthorized access, or disclosure of your personal information likely to result in serious harm, we will investigate and notify you and the Australian Information Commissioner promptly, in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Disclosure
We will only disclose your personal information for the purpose it was collected or a related secondary purpose, or with your consent. This may include disclosure to third parties providing services to our business or operations, both within Australia and overseas. We take reasonable steps to ensure these service providers comply with the Australian Privacy Principles. We may also disclose information if required by law, such as to child protection services, family or community services agencies, or health authorities.

Access, Correction, and Complaints
You may request access to your personal information held by Educate Me Montessori by contacting our Privacy Officer using the details provided below. We may need to deny access in certain circumstances, but we will explain why if this occurs. If you believe your personal information is incorrect, please let us know, and we will take steps to correct it.

If you have questions or concerns about our collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, or wish to make a complaint about a breach of privacy, please contact us, and we will investigate and respond promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Consent and Rights of Access to Children’s Personal Information
Educate Me Montessori respects every parent’s right to make decisions concerning their child’s care. Requests for consent and notices regarding a child’s personal information will be directed to the child’s parent(s), guardian(s), or carer(s). Consent given by a child’s parent, guardian, or carer is considered consent on behalf of the child.

Educate Me Montessori Privacy Officer
Postal Address: 15 Hyacinth Street, Greystanes NSW 2145
Email address: info@educatememontessori.com.au
Telephone: 1300 931 000

Educate Me Montessori updates this privacy policy regularly. The privacy policy was last reviewed on May 28, 2024.