<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>South Australia has become one of the first states in the country to officially ban mobile phones from childcare centres. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The new regulations, set to take effect on September 1, prohibit early educators from accessing personal phones while working, a measure the government says is aimed at enhancing child safety.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ban extends to all technology with a camera, including phones, iPads, and smart watches. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-algal-bloom-leaves-small-fishing-businesses-making-as-little-as-15-a-day/705c3137-2afd-4f52-9aa2-c0cafdd64ccb"><strong><span>Algal bloom leaves small fishing businesses making as little as $15 a day</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are exceptions for communication between facilities and parents via regularly used apps, but this will only be permitted on centre-owned devices controlled by the director.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are taking this very seriously and operators and services need to know there will be consequences if they don't comply," Education Minister Blair Boyer said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are doing everything in our power to keep their kids safe," he added.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-mobile-phone-ban-childcare-centres/445f82b2-bcfe-4113-89e6-b8fc702c25ed" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Centres found to be in breach of the rules will face fines exceeding $1000, with penalties rising to $50,000 for subsequent offences. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Preschools will be required to provide evidence of compliance with the new regulations by the end of the month, after which the Education Standards Board will start carrying out spot checks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/anz-surprise-interest-rate-hike/9f2eab99-565e-4fba-8e3e-c8305581fc2b"><strong><span>Big four bank's shock rate hike ahead of expected RBA cut</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the ban has been in the works for months, 9News understands its implementation was brought forward after allegations of inappropriate behaviour at a centre in Klemzig and an interstate case last month where a childcare worker was charged with more than 70 offences relating to eight alleged victims at a centre in Melbourne.  </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While the move has generally been welcomed, concerns have been raised regarding potential practical issues of devices like smart watches. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some educators wear them for health reasons, they might have diabetes, they might be monitoring heart rate," Carolyn Smith from the United Workers' Union said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So we'll be talking about some of those practical issues that might come up."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government believes the ban will increase parental confidence and create a safer learning environment for children in early education settings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of </span></em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>