Hidden Dangers: NSW’s Secret Childcare Risk Ratings Leave Parents in the Dark

In a revelation that has shaken trust in New South Wales’ childcare oversight, a Guardian Australia investigation has uncovered a troubling gap between public safety ratings and internal risk assessments at childcare centers—leaving parents unaware of serious safety concerns.

A childcare centre in NSW, whose name remains undisclosed, was publicly rated as “meeting” government standards under the National Quality Framework (NQF). Yet, behind closed doors, the Department of Education had flagged it as a “very high risk service” following a complaint investigation in May 2024.

This internal rating came after a year-long review involving multiple inspections and serious allegations, including:

• Child neglect
• Injuries sustained by children
• Bullying of staff
• Chronic understaffing
• An alleged sexual assault by an educator

Despite these concerns, the centre’s public rating remained unchanged, misleading families into believing the facility was safe and compliant.

The Department of Education’s internal RA Risk Rating of Services (RRS) operates separately from the NQF ratings displayed to the public. According to the Wheeler review into the sector, discrepancies between these two systems are not uncommon—raising questions about transparency and accountability.

Parents rely on public ratings to make informed decisions about their children’s care. But when those ratings are outdated or contradicted by internal assessments, the consequences can be severe.

The NSW childcare system faces a critical reckoning. As the public learns more about hidden risk assessments and unreported dangers, pressure mounts on regulators to bridge the gap between internal oversight and public accountability. For the sake of every child’s safety, the veil must be lifted.

Reference:
Secret Rating System Kept Parents In Dark About Safety Fears At NSW Childcare Centre