Children on campus
Sometimes you might need to bring your child (or a child in your care) to campus. We understand this happens because of emergency childcare issues, special events, or accessing campus services.
When children can visit campus
Your child can come to campus to:
- use Monash Sport facilities
- attend social events
- visit libraries
- use food outlets and shops
- join approved outreach activities as a student
- occasionally attend your classes or visit your office during childcare emergencies.
Your responsibilities as a parent or caregiver
Before bringing a child to campus
Ask first. Contact your lecturer or supervisor before bringing a child to class, tutorials or your workplace. Most reasonable requests will be approved.
Consider others. Think about how the child’s visit might affect other students and staff.
Don't bring sick children. Keep unwell or infectious children at home to protect everyone's health.
While on campus
Stay with your child at all times. As a parent or caregiver, you're responsible for supervising and managing your child's behaviour.
Respect others. Make sure the visiting child doesn't unreasonably disturb others using libraries, study spaces or services.
Keep visits reasonable. Discuss timing and frequency with staff in advance.
Where children can and can't go
Safe areas for children
So long as they are supervised, children can visit:
- libraries
- Student Union areas
- Student Services Centre
- other non-teaching areas (check specific regulations first).
Restricted areas
Children aren't allowed in these areas unless they're participating in an approved teaching or outreach activity with direct supervision:
- laboratories
- dark rooms
- workshops
- plant rooms
- nature reserves
- food preparation areas
- chemical storage areas
- areas with machinery
- any other areas designated as hazardous.
What staff need to do
Treat requests sympathetically. Don't refuse reasonable requests from parents or caregivers to bring children to class or their workplace.
Consider the situation. Think about the child's age, the environment, class or workplace size, and potential disruption to other people.
Plan ahead. Arrange timing and frequency of visits in advance with the parent or caregiver.
Act if needed. You can ask a parent or caregiver to remove their child if they're disrupting others.
What heads of academic and administrative units need to do
Keep children safe in your area:
- Remind the parent or caregiver that children must stay with them at all times.
- Remind everyone they have legal responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to keep all people safe, including children.
- Ask your safety officer and supervisors to identify potential hazards to children in your area.
- Consider potential hazards to children when buying new equipment for accessible areas.
If there's a problem
First step: The parent or caregiver and their supervisor should work together to resolve any issues.
If problems continue: Use the University's Health and Safety Issue Resolution Procedure if there's a safety risk.
Unsupervised children: Contact local security immediately if you find a child without supervision.
Need help?
For more information, contact the Health, Safety & Wellbeing team at hsw@monash.edu.