Regulatory Oversight Questioned After Child Injury at NSW Childcare Centre

A recent parliamentary hearing has revealed troubling details about a Newcastle childcare centre, raising serious concerns about regulatory transparency and child safety in New South Wales. The case has sparked renewed calls for reform in how compliance breaches are reported and addressed across the early childhood education sector.

Busy Bees at New Lambton, a childcare centre in Newcastle, was the subject of scrutiny after a child allegedly suffered a skull fracture in February 2025 following a bathroom slip. Despite the severity of the injury, the child's parents were not informed until March 13—weeks after the incident—when the child was hospitalized with a large fluid lump on the head.

Despite the incident and a history of regulatory breaches, the centre was upgraded in October 2022 from a “working towards” rating to “meeting quality standards.” Greens MLC Abigail Boyd highlighted this discrepancy during a NSW budget estimates hearing, noting that the centre had accumulated:

• 13 compliance actions
• 52 confirmed breaches
• 23 serious incidents
• 14 complaints between 2020 and 2024

A show cause notice was issued in July 2024, yet the centre retained its upgraded rating.

The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority confirmed that the centre had been visited seven times since July, but fines for failing to inform parents of incidents remain minimal—just $200 per violation. Boyd also criticized the lack of working with children checks (WWCCs) among educators, questioning the adequacy of enforcement efforts described as “targeted programs” rather than comprehensive audits.

Acting Education and Early Learning Minister Courtney Houssos acknowledged the situation as “really concerning,” pointing to a “fundamental problem” in the regulatory framework: the inability to publicly release compliance actions. She emphasized that parents currently only see quality ratings, not the underlying compliance history, which limits informed decision-making.

While national law reform remains the preferred pathway, Houssos indicated that a state-specific independent regulator with stronger powers may be necessary if broader changes cannot be achieved.

This case underscores a systemic disconnect between quality ratings and actual safety performance in NSW childcare services. As sector advocates and policymakers push for greater transparency and accountability, the incident at Busy Bees at New Lambton serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform. Ensuring that families have access to full compliance histories—and that breaches are met with meaningful consequences—is essential to restoring trust and safeguarding children in care.

Reference:
Shock Claim About Childcare Centre