After recently completing the very informative and at times confronting Child Safety Training from the Office of The Children’s Guardian (OCG) I am even more compelled to ensure child safety is put at the forefront of my dance school and encourage other dance school owners to do the same.
 
This free online training is well structured into easily digestible modules.  The option to pause the module you are working on to attend to any business is great, not to mention you can move at your own pace, work from your own home and at a time that suits you.  Cleverly, the OCG has removed many of the road blocks that busy dance school owners may have experienced even when they want to make child safety a priority their school.
 
One very interesting message that has made a strong impression on me after completing this training is how child safety isn’t the job of one person.  While strong leadership in this area is vital, it takes a village to keep our children safe.  An informed village is more likely to deter offenders, prevent harm, report assaults and secure convictions.


​To achieve this, your dance village needs to be included in the initial planning and policy making. The Child Safety Risk Management Strategy (CSRMS) isn’t created by the dance school Principal alone and preserved in a filing cabinet like a museum artefact.  Consulting staff, stakeholders and students is how you can create a CSRMS that is alive!  By alive, I mean the CSRMS should be the foundation of your daily work, your compass for decision making and regularly reviewed as events occur and times change. 
 
Personally, I find it a reassuring thought that my staff, dance parents and students will contribute to my CSRMS because then I know it will be a more valuable and ultimately more effective strategy. 
 
More importantly, if my dance students are part of a village that is child safety aware, even our youngest dancers will be more empowered to speak up if they feel unsafe and know their rights.
 
Until a time when having a CSRMS is linked with a dance school’s insurance requirements not all schools will be informed or willing to put child safety procedures and policies at a high level priority and children may still be vulnerable in this industry.  Since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the dance community has struggled to come to terms with some of the horrible events that were recounted in March 2016.  The Findings from the Royal Commission have guided government, regulatory bodies and in particular the OCG to make so many positive changes towards prevention of harm and protect children better.  Dance schools need a push to make the time and effort to create a CSRMS and regularly review it. 
 
One incentive that may become the tipping point for a dance school to train, develop and implement better Child Safety protocol is the NSW Government Creative Kids Program.  Introduced for 2019 this wonderful program recognises the value of the creative arts for young Australians and provides $100 vouchers to all school age children to participate not only in dance but also theatre, circus skills, singing and art.  Similar in concept to the Active Kids Program, dance schools can apply to become an approved service provider.  Wisely, the NSW Government has set a prerequisite for approval which includes submitting your Child Safety Policy or completing the OCG Child Safe training.
 
Now with a financial incentive, those dance  schools slow on the up take to self educate and put into practice child safe protocol may be spurred into action.  

Here’s hoping that in 2019 every dancer will be safe amongst their more knowledgable dance village!
 
Happy dancing in the New Year everyone!
 
Natasha x
 
Credits
Photography credit: Dagmar Wilcox from Fabulous Photos

Dancer: S.Hams Garriga from Momentum Dance Studios (published with parent consent)

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE & SAVE
Over the course of a dancers life time they will use an average of 50+ pairs of dance shoes.  Multiply this buy the amount of dancers around the world and then you will see the environmental foot print our dancing feet leave on the planet.  When you have the opportunity to pass on or reuse a pair of dance shoes don’t be afraid to do this.
 
Our school provides a Pre-loved Dance Shoe Box for parents to sell their child’s shoes once they have grown out of them.  This is a great option for younger dancers and they will often grow out of their shoes before they wear them out.  Needless to say, you will be saving money each time you buy a preloved pair and earning money each time you sell a pair of dance shoes.  It’s a win win situation!
 
Keep in mind that for older or more serious dancers, correct shoe fittings are important to ensure the right fit for their growing feet, especially if undergoing long hours of training. 
 
COST COMPARE
Your biggest expense will be your tuition fees.  There can be a big difference in cost from one school to another so always know what you are in for before signing up your child.  Once settled into a school it can be difficult to move across to another and you may literally pay the price if you didn’t read the fine print on your contract.  Look for or be proactive and ask about the additional charges.  Hidden costs such as exam fees, compulsory workshops or international/interstate dance performances can double your fees without you realising.
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Personally, I would avoid schools that want you to sign a contract, direct debt or require your credit card details as you will be less aware of your monthly costs.  When paying dance fees independently online, by cash or cheque you will naturally assess each time if the classes are still worth it and that’s a good thing. 
 
Do a cost comparison with local schools if you haven’t done this before.  You may be surprised to see that your dance school is above and beyond it’s competitors and may prompt a change.  If changing schools allows your child to do more of what they love then go for it!
 
Wishing you a long and affordable dance journey!
Natasha x 

It seems really obvious right - put on a jumper!
But knowing how to dress properly in winter is a bit of an art and can make a difference to children when participating in physical activities like dance.
As an Aussie dancer, it wasn't until I spent my first winter in the UK that I discovered the skill of layering clothing so you can quickly adjust to the varying temperatures when you are out and about in a cold climate country or season. I have been sharing this concept to all the dance students in my school, Momentum Dance Studios ever since.  Layering clothing for children when training in winter is important, not just in dance but any physical activity.

Here are three key points for dressing your child for physical activity in winter:

BASICS FIRST:
Your child's sport or activity may have a compulsory year round uniform whether baller leotard, soccer jersey or netball uniform so ensure this is the base.  On cold days or evenings, children will warm up and even get hot when exercising.  Good activity organisers will factor in a solid set of warm up exercises to prepare kids for their game or activity so overdressing them can cause it's own difficulties.  Over heating in children will cause them to fatigue more quickly and participate less.  Performing a Grande Jette in a bulky parker is near impossible!

LAYER MAGIC:
Adding a long but light layer of clothing on top of your child's basic kit is going to help in a few ways.  Initially, it will simply keep children warm and then as they start moving these layers can be easily removed.  Layers that a child can remove on their own are best . The tie up wrap ballet tops are impossible to remove on their own so go for the elasticated ones.  Light layers are ideal because they keep muscles warm without over heating children and prevent injury.

TO & FROM ACTIVITIES:
Never underestimate a good warm jacket, parker or coat that is quick to put on and off.  If your child arrives to their activity already warm you will be helping them to adjust to the demands of a physical exercise more quickly.  Your child will be hot and potentially reluctant to put a jacket on after an exciting game of soccer or a fun dance class however the body cools down quickly after exercise so keeping warm will help to prevent muscle soreness the day after.

After a long hot sumer it can be a shock for Australian kids when winter hits.  While our children are lucky that we don't experience excessive snow fall in Sydney unlike some European and American cities, it is still important to remain active during winter time and leave hibernation to the bears!

Written by
Natasha Swan
Natasha is a mother of two girls and owner of Momentum Dance Studios in Sydney Australia.  She holds a Bachelor of Education & Bachelor of Arts (Dance & Theatre).  Natasha is also a volunteer member of ADESA (Australian Dance Education Standards Association) who have created an awareness campaign for child safety in Australian Dance Schools.  
You can follow Momentum Dance Studios via Instagram @momentumdancestudios

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