Recent charges against two childcare workers in Western Sydney have reignited critical conversations about child safety, supervision practices, and compliance structures in early learning centers. On June 26, a 17-month-old child was allegedly assaulted twice in separate incidents on the same day—each involving a different educator—raising concerns about how such occurrences go undetected.
We’ve built a sector where “under the roof” staffing logic can mask supervision breakdowns. Where ratios are met on paper, but no one is actively watching. Where a child can be harmed twice in one day—and no one notices until it’s too late.
We need to stop pretending that minimum standards are enough. Because they’re not. Children deserve active supervision, not passive headcounts. Educators deserve clear protocols, not vague staffing models.
Across Australia, regulated staffing ratios aim to safeguard children in early learning settings. However, a growing number of incidents reveal that meeting these minimum requirements on paper doesn’t always translate into active, vigilant supervision. Below are several case studies that illustrate how gaps can emerge—even when legal ratios are nominally met.
The Fraser Foundation is offering 2 free webinars: Building Children's Resilience, presented by Maggie Dent and The Developing Brain, presented by Nathan Wallis.
A: This typically refers to opening a room or service with two educators holding Certificate III qualifications. The assumption is that the third staff member (when added) would be diploma-qualified, allowing the team to meet the 50/50 ratio requirement—which mandates that at least half of the educators must hold or be working towards a diploma-level qualification.
If you need to report an early childhood service, there are clear steps you can take depending on the nature of the issue and your location. Here's a breakdown to guide you:
When a family requests that male educators not change their child’s nappy, it touches on safeguarding, inclusion, and professional boundaries all at once. Here’s a way to navigate it thoughtfully.
In a devastating update to the case against alleged offender Joshua Dale Brown, authorities have confirmed that an additional 800 children will undergo precautionary STI testing. This follows revelations that Brown worked at four newly named childcare centres operated by Affinity Education Group, bringing the total number of affected families to over 830.
Despite these staggering numbers, not a single educator has publicly come forward with concerns. It's a silence that rattles through the core of early childhood education—begging the question: How did this happen on our watch?
The early childhood sector has been shaken by allegations of serious misconduct at a Western Sydney childcare service, renewing calls for transparency, training, and accountability across centers. On June 26, a 17-month-old child was reportedly assaulted in two separate incidents at a South Wentworthville early learning centre—both incidents occurring within the same day and involving different educators.
A: Under the National Quality Framework (NQF), every time a centre-based early childhood service is open—whether at opening, throughout the day, or at closing—there must be at least one Responsible Person physically present and on duty.
Preparing children for the leap into formal schooling involves more than academic knowledge—it means supporting their holistic development across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains. This checklist supports educators and families in identifying foundational skills and strengths, in alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) outcomes and contributing toward Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) goals such as practice refinement, documentation, and improved transition planning.
Snakes are one of nature's most fascinating creatures, often misunderstood yet deeply woven into Australia’s unique biodiversity and Indigenous culture. By exploring native Australian snakes through play and learning, children can develop respect for wildlife, connect to Country, and expand their understanding of animal behaviors, habitats, and cultural significance. The following article provides information on Snake Theme Activity Ideas, Importance Of Learning About Snakes, Goals For a Snake Theme, Linking To The EYLF, Follow Up Themes and more.
Stories shape how children make sense of their world. When we tell stories through a trauma-informed lens, we offer safety, build resilience, and honour each child’s experience. The following article provides information on Core Principles, Why It Matters, In Practice, Trauma-Informed Storytelling, 5 Examples of Trauma-Informed Stories and more.
