This template can be used for a targeted supervision strategy.
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.
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.
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.
According to respondents to a 7.30 inquiry, a technique at early childhood services known as "under the roof"—which determines the ratio of Educators to children—is being misused.
Children need safe and positive environments to learn and grow. To ensure this, services and educators need to ensure effective supervision at all times. The following article provides information on the different aspects of supervision, ranging from regulatory requirements and principles to practice strategies.
The Educator To Child Ratio Posters includes the educator to child ratios in a centre-based service for each age group and in a mixed age group. Minimum educator-to-child ratios and purposeful for services to highlight the importance of the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and for Educators to effectively supervise children within the environment. These posters will be good to display within the service for Educators and families to view.
The Staff Ratios and Adequate Supervision information, for NSW early childhood services, has been revised and updated by the NSW Regulatory Authority, NSW Department Of Education.
