Insurance for Childcare Centres

A childcare centre carries two kinds of risk at once. There is the building, the fit-out and everything in it, and there are the children, families, educators and visitors who come through the gate every day. A playground fall, a claim about the care a child received, or a dispute with a staff member all arrive through different parts of a policy.

We arrange insurance for childcare centres, preschools and early learning services, from single sites to small groups. We take the time to understand how your service runs, what your lease and your approval conditions ask of you, compare options across the market, and stand beside you if you need to make a claim.

Key covers to consider

• Public Liability: injury to children, families and visitors at the centre and on activities you run away from it
• Business Pack: your premises or fit-out, plus contents, playground equipment, furniture and supplies
• Professional Indemnity: claims arising from the care, education and advice your service provides
• Management Liability: employment disputes, OH&S, and claims against the business and its owners and managers for alleged mismanagement
• Business Interruption: income and fixed costs while the centre cannot operate after damage to the premises
• Cyber Liability: enrolment records, family contact details and the payment systems you run
• Workers Compensation: compulsory cover for businesses with employees and apprentices

Common questions

Are we covered for excursions and activities away from the centre?

Public liability usually follows the activities your service runs, including excursions, rather than stopping at the fence line. It is still worth telling us what you do away from the centre and how children are transported, because a policy that has never been told about regular excursions may carry conditions that do not fit the way you operate.

Does professional indemnity apply to a centre, or only to consultants?

It applies to a centre. Professional indemnity responds to claims that the care, supervision or educational service you provided fell short, which is a different allegation from someone being hurt on the premises. Many centres hold both, because a single incident can be argued either way.

Why are childcare centres not available from direct insurers?

Working with young children carries a high perceived risk of severe injury, which makes many mainstream insurance providers hesitant to underwrite childcare operations. A childcare centre policy can include cover to protect your business from allegations of misconduct including abuse/molestation.

Why is Professional Indemnity so important for my childcare centre?

Childcare professionals are responsible for the emotional, physical, and developmental wellbeing of children. Accusations, whether founded or not, can result in costly legal challenges and damage to your reputation. Professional indemnity insurance acts as a safeguard, helping you manage claims and maintain professional credibility.

How Much Public & Products Liability Cover Do I Need?

It depends on the work you do and who you do it for. Many head contractors, councils, property managers and commercial sites set a minimum amount in their contracts before you can start. If you lease your premises, your lease will usually set a minimum level of public liability you must hold as a tenant, and often asks for the landlord to be noted on your policy. So check your contracts, your lease and any tender or site requirements first. Also think about the worst injury or property damage your work could realistically cause.

Cover level	When it's usually needed
$5 million	Small or hobby-sized businesses with lower-risk work, few or no visitors to their premises, and no lease or contract asking for more.
$10 million	Suits most trades and businesses working on client premises or dealing with the public. Often the minimum set by commercial leases, markets and event organisers, and many subcontract agreements.
$20 million	Suits higher-risk work such as specialist trades, construction, mining, transport operators, or working at heights. Often required by head contractors, government bodies, councils, shopping centres, mine sites and larger commercial clients.

We'll look at your contracts, your lease and your work, and help you choose a limit that fits.

Why would I choose Lake Macquarie Insurance over another broker?

We believe in giving back to key community members. We value your contribution to the community, and any business referral received from your organisation (whether your sponsors or otherwise), we give a portion of the proceeds back to the organisation as an excursion or event day sponsorship.

Talk to a broker who knows early learning

Tell us about your business and we'll do the comparing, the paperwork and the advocating.

Request a quote for your centre