Childcare workers barred from taking photos of children on own phones

Police searching for a driver over an alleged hit and run in Western Sydney

Workers at certain childcare centres are no longer allowed to take photos and videos of children on their own phones under new guidelines that come into effect today.

Under the new National Model Code and Guidelines, only devices issued by early childhood education and care services can be used to take footage of children.

"This is about helping early childhood education and care providers to embed a child-safe culture in their services," Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly said.

"We will continue to act swiftly to ensure all early childhood education and care services remain safe for our children."

The code and guidelines are part of the Commonwealth, state and territory response to recommendations made by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority to improve safety at childcare centres.

"Australia has a very good system of early childhood education and care, but more can be done to make sure safety guidance and measures are fit for purpose," federal Education Minister Jason Clare said.

"That's why education ministers are acting on this key recommendation to make sure the right rules are in place to keep our children safe while they are in early education and care."

The code and guidelines also place controls on how photos and video of children can be taken, shared and stored.

However, the code and guidelines are voluntary, meaning they only apply to childcare centres that have signed up.

The federal government has encouraged early childhood education and care providers to adopt the code, and says further safety reforms are in the works.