The “under the roof” rule allows childcare centres to meet staffing ratios by counting all educators on-site, regardless of whether they are physically present in rooms with children. This means a centre may appear compliant on paper, even if individual rooms are understaffed.While originally intended to offer flexibility, educators say it’s now being used to cut corners—leaving children without adequate supervision and educators stretched beyond capacity.
A recent survey conducted by the United Workers Union (UWU) has revealed a troubling reality in Australia’s early childhood education sector: 77% of childcare workers report that their centres operate below minimum staffing levels at least once a week, with 42% saying this occurs daily.
In response to mounting concerns over child safety and regulatory failures in early childhood education, the Australian Federal Government is introducing sweeping reforms that will see federal officers—dubbed “kindy cops”—conduct unannounced inspections of childcare centres, alongside mandatory installation of CCTV cameras.
In a significant move to strengthen child safety, G8 Education—Australia’s largest private childcare provider—has announced the installation of CCTV systems across all 400 of its centers nationwide and has introduced a new policy allowing families to express preferences regarding which educators provide personal care to their children.
An opt-in intimate care waiver is a formal consent form offered by some early childhood education and care (ECEC) services that allows families to choose whether male educators can perform intimate care tasks—such as nappy changes, toileting, or dressing—for their child. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable compromise: empower families, protect children, and avoid blanket bans on male staff. But scratch beneath the surface, and a deeper question emerges: Are we quietly institutionalizing gender discrimination?
In a confronting exposé that has sent ripples through the early childhood education sector, newly released regulatory documents reveal a disturbing pattern of negligence and non-compliance in childcare services across Australia. From untrained staff and expired Working With Children Checks to unsafe sleep practices and mishandled medical emergencies, the findings expose a system that is failing to uphold its most fundamental duty: keeping children safe.
Hosted by Semann and Slattery, this online conversation space is designed specifically for men working in early childhood education to engage in open, respectful dialogue about child sexual abuse prevention, safeguarding practices, and professional identity.
Australia’s early childhood education sector is facing a crisis of confidence, with a growing number of insiders warning that fast-tracked qualification courses are putting children at serious risk. A recent investigation by ABC’s Adele Ferguson and Chris Gillett has exposed a troubling trend: education providers, driven by profit and immigration incentives, are flooding the sector with underprepared graduates—many of whom lack the skills, understanding, and commitment necessary to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
In early childhood education, advocacy is not just about policy—it’s about protection. It’s about standing up for safe supervision, ethical staffing, and professional respect. When educators are unsupported, children are at risk. When educators are silenced, quality suffers. That’s why now, more than ever, we must speak. This article is a call to action. It’s a guide for educators who care deeply, who speak bravely, and who protect fiercely. Whether you're raising a concern for the first time or supporting a colleague who feels unheard, this resource will help you advocate with confidence, professionalism, and purpose—backed by the National Quality Standard, the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics.
The Four Eyes Policy—also known as the Four Eyes Principle or Two-Person Rule—is a safeguarding and accountability measure that requires two adults to be present or able to observe during certain activities involving children. In childcare, especially in high-risk contexts like intimate care or one-on-one interactions, this principle helps protect both children and educators.
In the wake of harrowing abuse allegations against a male childcare worker in Victoria, Australia, many male educators are grappling with a new wave of scrutiny, stigma, and self-doubt. For Ben Munroe, a 27-year-old early childhood educator in Melbourne, the news was more than disturbing—it was personally devastating.
