A childcare centre was fined after a one‑year‑old went missing during a bush excursion, exposing serious supervision failures. The child was found unharmed, but the centre faced regulatory penalties and reputational damage, underscoring that educator‑to‑child ratios remain dangerously inadequate and government inaction continues to put children at risk.
Fresh fee hikes in 2026 have pushed childcare costs to record highs, with Sydney’s inner suburbs now topping the list as the most expensive places in the country. Daily fees in some centres have surged to $220 before subsidies, leaving parents facing thousands in extra out-of-pocket costs each year. Experts warn that further increases are likely in the coming years as wages, rent, and compliance costs continue to rise.
North Sydney Council will demolish Kelly’s Place Community Childcare Centre at the end of 2026 to expand Hume Street Park, leaving at least 40 children without care and 160 families on the waitlist scrambling for alternatives. Parents and educators argue this decision sacrifices high‑quality, community‑run childcare for open space, despite rising demand in the densifying Crows Nest area.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of vocational education and training. Following a recent Tribunal decision, the cancellation of qualifications issued by Gills College was upheld. This ruling highlights the regulator’s determination to safeguard students, employers, and the wider community from non-genuine training providers.
Thousands of childcare workers across Australia are set to strike on July 15, 2026, after union members voted for mass industrial action over the government’s refusal to extend a 15% pay increase. Parents are warned of widespread disruption, with over 20,000 educators from 1,000 centres expected to walk off the job.
Child health experts are raising alarms: many Australian children are falling behind in basic motor and balance skills compared with previous years. The Australian Early Development Census revealed that only 52.9% of children are on track across five developmental domains, marking a decline since 2021.
These domains include physical health & well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language & cognitive skills, and communication & general knowledge.
The 2026–27 Federal Budget continues the government’s push toward universal early childhood education and care, with key measures including a 15% educator pay rise, expansion of paid parental leave to six months, new inclusion support funding, and consultation on a national Early Education and Care Commission. These updates directly affect educators in long day care, OOSH, and family day care by reshaping workforce conditions, compliance, and child development supports.
Victorian early childhood teachers have won a 32% pay increase over four years, a landmark deal that finally places them on parity with school teachers. The agreement, reached between the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the Victorian government, follows years of campaigning and industrial action. Some teachers will see rises of up to 39%, with immediate boosts of 13–16.7% this year.
Australia’s largest private childcare operator, G8 Education, has announced the closure of 40 centres nationwide, leaving thousands of families and educators facing uncertainty. The closures, spanning Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia, represent nearly 10% of G8’s 395-centre network.
On 11 June 2026, it is International Day of Play. This day is not just symbolic; it's a reminder that play is a fundamental right… Read More
A childcare centre was fined after a one‑year‑old went missing during a bush excursion, exposing serious supervision failures. The child was found unharmed, but the… Read More
Fresh fee hikes in 2026 have pushed childcare costs to record highs, with Sydney’s inner suburbs now topping the list as the most expensive places… Read More
North Sydney Council will demolish Kelly’s Place Community Childcare Centre at the end of 2026 to expand Hume Street Park, leaving at least 40 children… Read More
