Child Australia expresses deep concern over the recent ABC Four Corners investigation, which unveiled serious issues within parts of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, including instances of child mistreatment and regulatory failures. These findings highlight the urgent need for more robust reforms to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in early learning environments.
Child Australia reaffirms its zero-tolerance stance on child mistreatment. The safety and wellbeing of children must always come first, and there is no place in this sector for providers who continuously fail to meet the required standards of care.
“There is no room for complacency when it comes to child safety. Families place their trust in early learning providers, and that trust must be upheld with the highest standards of care, oversight, and accountability. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and respected,” said Tina Holtom, Chief Executive Officer.
Child Australia remains committed to continuous improvement and has reinforced its dedication to child safety through a set of proactive measures designed to uphold the highest standards of care and accountability. This includes more stringent policies and escalation procedures to promptly address concerns, increased internal audits and compliance checks to identify risks early, and enhanced training to equip educators with best-practice child safety knowledge. A dedicated Child Safety Working Group aligned with the National ChildSafe Principles drives ongoing enhancement, while a renewed focus on educator wellbeing ensures staff are supported to provide safe, high-quality care.
Ms Holtom added “We take our responsibility to children incredibly seriously. If a provider is not meeting their obligations, they must be supported to improve. If they fail to do so, they should not be permitted to expand or continue operating unchecked.”
The Four Corners investigation has sparked widespread concern, with key advocates calling for a national strategy to improve child safety in early learning. Child Australia urges the government to act swiftly by strengthening compliance enforcement, preventing recurring non-compliant providers from expanding, and committing to broad systemic changes that will truly lift the professionalisation of the workforce.
Ms Holtom added, “The system must be strengthened to protect children from harm. We need to stop tinkering around the edges – we need bold, sector-wide reforms that create a system strong enough to safeguard our most vulnerable people… our children.”
Child Australia reassures families that the vast majority of educators are dedicated professionals who prioritise children’s safety, wellbeing, and development. Although recent reports have raised serious concerns, most early learning providers maintain high standards of care, a strong commitment to nurturing relationships, and adherence to best practices. Families should feel confident in their educators while also being empowered to ask questions, stay engaged, and expect transparency and accountability from their chosen service.
