Peninsula School of Dance earns YPAD certification
Local dance studio earns certification – holding to a higher standard of integrity in dance education
Rosebud: Peninsula School of Dance, a local dance studio providing dance and performance classes from toddler to adults, as well as integrative dance for youth with learning differences have announced that they have earned YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) Certified status. They are only 1 in 4 Australian schools to receive this certified status, holding them to a higher standard of integrity in dance education.
Becoming Certified means they are committed to age appropriate artistic choices and healthy teaching techniques and behaviours to nurture the Holistic wellness of their students. Educators at YPAD Certified studios are committed to being positive role models both in person and online and are committed to keeping youth happy, healthy, and safe in all dance environments.
The Rosebud based faculty and staff of Peninsula School of Dance completed the training in February 2019.
“We have always been proud of the safe, nurturing and positive environment we’ve offered to all of our families and students”
said Melanie Gard, Director of Peninsula School of Dance.
“This recognition reassures our community that we take our jobs seriously, and that they can be assured of our professionalism as we support children expression themselves through dance and performance”
Ms Gard added that there is no governing body for dance education for children, and no legal requirements for education or certification for studio owners or dance instructors. Organizations in the dance industry who willfully become YPAD Certified subscribe to a higher standard of integrity and accountability through education using evidence based research over opinion regarding best practices with youth in dance.
To achieve the YPAD Certification status, the faculty/staff at Peninsula School Of Dance completed the following requirements:
Online Certification
that covers modules on emotional and physical healthy and sexual safety of youth in performing arts
Background checks
for every employee
CPR certification
for all core staff who could be supervising children
All staff signed and agreed
to standards ensuring safety for children in social media, abuse observation and reporting, bullying, physical health and injury, age appropriate artistic choices and more
Emergency Plan implementation
Youth Protection Advocates in Dance is dedicated to building empowered dance communities and keeping youth happy, healthy and safe in all dance environments. To find out more please visit www.ypad4change.org.