"Is storing data with AI safe? ”
When we talk about children’s data and safety, the key consideration isn’t the AI itself — it’s how and where the information is stored, and the safeguards in place to prevent anyone from accessing or misusing it. That’s a storage and cybersecurity matter, not an AI feature.
Mana is currently the ONLY provider in the early childhood sector with an independently certified SOC 2 cybersecurity attestation. This means our systems have been externally audited to meet strict international security standards, giving us a higher level of assurance against data misuse or leaks.
"But won't AI de-skill educators?”
You might have seen general tools like ChatGPT in the news — those aren’t built for early childhood education. Because they don’t have enough context, they can sometimes make things up (hallucination), even about children, which is obviously not okay.
But that’s a problem with the way those particular tools are designed — not with AI as a whole. AI is already a part of our everyday lives, even in simple things like the autocorrect on your phone.
The difference with the tools we use is that they’re designed specifically for ECE. They only step in when there’s enough relevant information to be accurate, and they work alongside our educators — using coaching prompts to help them reflect, deepen their insights, and improve their practice. They’re not replacing educators, they’re supporting them.”
“But AI is not their authentic voice - it doesn't reflect their own words.”
You know Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech? He didn’t write every single word himself. He had two ghostwriters who helped him put his vision into words — but the ideas, the message, and the heart behind it were all his. He owned every part of it.
That’s a lot like how AI can work for educators. The educator has the knowledge, insight, and understanding of the child. The AI simply helps them express those ideas clearly and professionally.
It’s not replacing their judgement or their voice — it’s supporting them, like a trusted co-writer, so they can spend more time focused on the children and less time on perfecting the wording
“They'll never learn to write learning stories for themselves”
We used to do long division by hand. Now we use calculators. We used to navigate by the stars. Now, we use GPS.
That’s not laziness — it’s progress. It means we can spend less time on the mechanics, and more time on what matters.
For educators, that means focusing on thinking, reflecting, and spending quality time with children — not worrying about crafting documents like Shakespeare.
What some parents also don’t realise is just how much time paperwork can take away from being with the children. The right tools help streamline that work so educators can give more of their attention to where it counts most — the children.