Education Minister Admits Childcare Reforms Were Overdue Amid Sector Scrutiny

South Australia’s Education Minister Blair Boyer has conceded that critical reforms to the childcare sector should have been implemented earlier, following heightened public concern over child safety and regulatory oversight.

The admission comes in the wake of national scandals, including the arrest of a Victorian childcare worker facing multiple child sex offence charges. Boyer acknowledged that parents are “rightly concerned” and emphasised the urgency of restoring public trust in early childhood education.

National Reform Measures

Recent federal changes include:

• Mandatory reporting of physical or sexual abuse incidents within 24 hours, down from the previous seven-day window.
• A ban on personal mobile phones and vaping within childcare centres.

Boyer stressed that while surveillance tools like CCTV are being trialed, the most effective safeguards remain well-trained staff and strong staff-to-child ratios.

CCTV Trial and Limitations

A national CCTV pilot involving up to 300 centers—including 20 in South Australia—is underway. The footage will be securely stored and not available for live viewing. Boyer cautioned that CCTV is “not a silver bullet,” particularly in sensitive areas such as bathrooms and change tables.

Strengthening Oversight in SA

South Australia has increased funding for its independent regulator, the Education Standards Board, and introduced more frequent assessments:

• Centres are now reviewed every three years, compared to previous gaps of up to nine years.
• The proportion of centres not meeting national standards has dropped from 50% to 17%.
• Spot checks and compliance visits are being expanded to supplement formal assessments.

Workforce Challenges and Support

Boyer acknowledged that early childhood educators have long been underpaid and undervalued. A 15% federal pay rise was introduced last year, though its impact on recruitment and retention remains under review.

To address training gaps, South Australia has launched a Centre of Excellence at TAFE Adelaide, focusing on child safety and professional development for educators.

Reference:
Education Minister Concedes Childcare Reform Should Have Happened Earlier