The NSW Government is rolling out urgent reforms in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector to better protect children and rebuild trust. These reforms respond directly to an increase in safety breaches during 2024. The following article provides information on What Actions Are Being Taken, Broader Commitments, Why now and more.
What Actions Are Being Taken?
| Reform Area | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| Stronger laws | Amending the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law (NSW) |
| Tougher penalties | Increasing fines for individuals and services that breach the law |
| Transparency | Services must notify families of serious investigations |
| Performance reporting | Requiring public release of safety and quality data |
| Independent regulation | Establishing an independent regulator, separate from the Dept of Ed |
| CCTV trials | Allowing regulators to install cameras in centres under investigation |
Broader Commitments
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Largest investment in public preschools in NSW history
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Goal: Double the number of free public preschools by 2027
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Ongoing collaboration with the Commonwealth and other states, starting with the Education Ministers’ Meeting in Adelaide
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Contribution to a parliamentary inquiry into the early childhood sector
Why now?
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A report by Chris Wheeler (former NSW Deputy Ombudsman) revealed:
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Rising safety issues across services
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Weak penalties in current laws
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A lack of transparency in how the Regulatory Authority shares findings with the public
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These reforms show NSW is putting children’s safety first, shifting away from prioritizing profit in the sector. It’s just the beginning—NSW will also collaborate with other states and the Commonwealth to push for national changes.
Reference:
Putting Children First: Reform For The Early Childhood Sector. NSW Government