In early childhood services across Australia, educators are often expected to stay beyond their rostered hours to complete tasks—cleaning, documentation, ratio coverage, or closing duties. But when this extra time goes unpaid, it’s not just unfair—it may be unlawful.
Recent data reported by 7NEWS Australia has revealed a concerning trend in the early childhood education sector: 1 in 10 parents have withdrawn their children from childcare services. This shift reflects growing pressures on families and raises urgent questions about affordability, trust, and systemic support.
In early childhood education, two terms often surface in compliance conversations: active supervision and in ratio. While both are essential to child safety and regulatory integrity, they serve distinct purposes—and conflating them can lead to serious oversights in practice. Let’s unpack each concept, then explore how they play out in real-world settings.
A group of companies operating childcare centres under the HEI Schools brand across Victoria and New South Wales has plunged into liquidation, leaving behind $21 million in debts and triggering widespread disruption for families, educators, and communities.
Bravehearts Day, held annually on 12 September, is a national child protection awareness initiative focused on preventing child sexual assault and promoting safe relationships. For early childhood educators, this day offers a chance to gently introduce foundational safety concepts through emotionally intelligent, developmentally appropriate practice.
When a child becomes violent in an early childhood setting, de-escalation isn’t just about calming the moment—it’s about protecting safety, preserving dignity, and responding to distress with relational intelligence. Here’s a trauma-informed, regulation-aligned guide to de-escalation strategies for violent behaviour in young children.
A: Legally, yes—an educator is considered “in ratio” as long as they are physically present and supervising the required number of children according to the age-based ratios set by the National Quality Framework (NQF). But practically? That’s where the system starts to unravel.
With new child safety regulations having just come into effect, here’s a sector-responsive list of Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) priorities that services across Australia should consider updating immediately. These priorities align with the National Quality Standard (NQS), recent regulatory changes, and sector best practice.
Today, 1 September 2025, marks a pivotal shift in Australia’s early childhood education landscape, with strengthened child safety regulations now officially in force under the National Quality Framework (NQF). These reforms—fast-tracked following the national review of child safety arrangements—aim to close regulatory gaps, improve incident response, and safeguard children in increasingly digital environments.
Violence from a child in an early childhood setting can be confronting, destabilising, and emotionally exhausting. For educators committed to nurturing safe, responsive environments, such incidents often trigger a complex mix of concern, confusion, and self-doubt. This article explores how educators can protect themselves, support the child, and uphold their duty of care.
Early childhood educators and advocates have welcomed a sweeping $189 million reform package unveiled by federal, state, and territory education ministers, which includes a long-awaited review of staffing ratios and regulatory loopholes. Among the most significant developments is the decision to examine the controversial “under the roof” ratio—a practice that has long drawn criticism for compromising child safety and supervision.
In a landmark move to strengthen child safety in early learning environments, the Australian government has announced a national trial of CCTV cameras across up to 300 childcare centres. The initiative, endorsed by federal, state, and territory education ministers, is set to begin in October or November 2025.
A recent parliamentary hearing has revealed troubling details about a Newcastle childcare centre, raising serious concerns about regulatory transparency and child safety in New South Wales. The case has sparked renewed calls for reform in how compliance breaches are reported and addressed across the early childhood education sector.
