Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

1. Purpose

This Privacy Policy explains how Aspiring Early Learners ("we", "us", "our") may collect, use, store, disclose and manage personal information in connection with the operation of our early childhood education and care service.

By enrolling a child, visiting our premises, entering our facilities, using our website, apps or services, communicating with us, or otherwise interacting with us, you acknowledge and agree to this document.

2. Director Authority & Policy Updates

The Company Director may update, amend, vary or replace this Policy at any time for the purpose of protecting the organisation, its staff, children, families and operations.

Changes may take effect immediately upon publication or availability by any method we determine. We are not required to provide direct notice of changes.

Where permitted by law, amendments may apply to personal information previously collected. Nothing in this Policy limits or excludes rights or obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

3. Information We May Collect

We may collect personal information we consider reasonably necessary for the lawful operation, protection, improvement and development of our service, including but not limited to:

Information may be collected directly, automatically, from third parties, from government agencies or from publicly available sources.

4. CCTV, Surveillance & Facial Recognition

We may operate continuous surveillance systems including, but not limited to:

• CCTV recording (video and/or audio)
• AI-enabled monitoring and analytics
• Facial recognition technology
• Behaviour detection systems
• Access control and identity verification systems

Monitoring may occur 24 hours per day across indoor and outdoor areas (excluding legally restricted areas such as toilets and bathrooms).

5. Artificial Intelligence & Automated Processing

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning and automated systems for lawful and reasonable operational purposes including, but not limited to:

• Safety monitoring and incident detection
• Behavioural and developmental analysis
• Image, video and audio analysis
• Identity verification and access control
• Operational analytics and forecasting
• Administrative automation
• Quality assurance and service improvement

By engaging with our service, you acknowledge and consent to the use of AI systems where lawful.

6. Apps, Parent Platforms & Digital Services

We may use digital platforms and mobile applications including, but not limited to:

• Parent communication apps
• Learning and curriculum platforms
• Photo and video sharing platforms
• Attendance and sign-in systems
• Billing and payment platforms
• Messaging and notification systems
• Digital forms and document platforms
• Third-party integrations and APIs

Providers and platforms may change over time without notice. Personal information may be processed by third-party providers in accordance with their own policies.

7. Third-Party Service Providers

We may engage third parties to assist with the lawful operation of our business. Providers may change over time and may include, but are not limited to:

• Software and cloud providers
• App and platform providers
• Accountants and auditors
• Legal advisors
• Security consultants
• IT providers
• Business consultants
• Payment processors
• Compliance and accreditation providers

Personal information may be shared where reasonably necessary for lawful business purposes.

8. How We May Use Personal Information

We may use personal information for lawful and reasonable purposes related to operating, protecting and improving our service including, but not limited to:

• Providing education and care
• Safety and safeguarding
• Compliance and regulatory obligations
• Insurance and risk management
• Staff training and quality improvement
• Analytics and reporting
• Technology development and testing
• Business planning and operational improvement
• Dispute resolution and investigations

We may avoid using personal information for unrelated purposes unless permitted by law.

9. Disclosure to Government & Industry Bodies

We may disclose personal information to government departments, regulators or industry bodies for lawful purposes including, but not limited to:

• Compliance obligations
• Sector research and industry improvement
• Safety and quality benchmarking
• Funding and reporting programs

Where permitted by law, such disclosure may occur at the discretion of the Company Director. Where we consider appropriate, information may be de-identified or aggregated prior to disclosure.

10. Overseas Disclosure

Personal information may be stored or processed overseas through cloud or technology providers where we consider reasonable safeguards to be in place.

11. Security

We may implement administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. However, no system is completely secure and we do not guarantee the security of personal information.

12. Access & Correction

Individuals may request access to or correction of personal information in accordance with applicable law. Where we receive a request, we may:

• Consider the request
• Request identity verification
• Request further information
• Charge reasonable administrative fees where permitted
• Refuse or limit access where permitted by law

We may respond within a timeframe we consider reasonable or as required by law.

13. Retention

We may retain personal information for as long as we consider reasonably necessary for lawful, operational, insurance, regulatory, evidentiary or risk management purposes.

14. Destruction and De-identification

We may delete, destroy or de-identify personal information at any time where we determine it is no longer required. We are not required to retain information unless retention is required or authorised by law. Deletion or destruction may occur without notice.

15. Complaints

Privacy complaints may be submitted in writing. We may choose to investigate and respond at our discretion and in accordance with applicable law.

If you have a complaint about how we handle your personal information, please contact us. We will investigate and respond to your complaint within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

• Website: www.oaic.gov.au
• Phone: 1300 363 992
• Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au

16. Contact

Privacy Officer

17. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing our website, apps or digital services, you agree to these terms.

18. Changes Without Notice

We may change website content, services, pricing, features and these terms at any time without notice.

19. No Reliance

Website content is provided for general information only. We make no guarantees including, but not limited to, accuracy, completeness or availability. Use of the website is at your own risk.

20. Availability of Services

We may modify, suspend or discontinue services at any time without notice.

21. Intellectual Property

All content is owned or licensed by us including, but not limited to, text, images, videos, branding and software.

22. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for loss or damage arising from use of the website or services.

23. Third-Party Links

We are not responsible for third-party websites or services.

24. Governing Law

This document is governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.