Surveillance vs Support: Weighing the Impact of CCTV Mandates in Early Childhood Education

As education ministers across Australia weigh a proposal to mandate CCTV monitoring in childcare centres where child safety concerns have been previously raised, the early learning community finds itself at a pivotal crossroads.

Prompted by a New South Wales inquiry into disturbing breaches of child safety, the recommendation suggests regulators remotely monitor services deemed high-risk. It’s a targeted—not universal—approach. Yet even in its specificity, the move raises questions about trust, ethics, practicality, and most of all, impact.

Key Points

Origin of the proposal - It stems from a New South Wales inquiry led by former Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler, following scandals involving child safety.
Targeted implementation: CCTV would be installed and remotely monitored by regulators in centres with prior safety issues—not universally across all services.
National consideration: Education ministers across states are reviewing the proposal and are expected to report back at their next meeting in August.
Provider response: G8 Education, a major for-profit provider, is fast-tracking CCTV installation across its 400 centres. Goodstart, a not-for-profit provider, has been installing CCTV in new centres since 2022 but notes retrofitting older sites would require government support.

The Educator Perspective: Surveillance or Safeguarding?

Many in the sector argue that CCTV should never replace robust staffing, effective training, and a culture of accountability. Surveillance may catch misconduct—but it cannot prevent it. And in environments built on connection and care, cameras may disrupt relationships, erode professional trust, and foster a climate of fear.

“There’s a risk we’ll alienate the very educators we need to empower,” says one early childhood leader. “Children aren’t just safeguarded by observation; they’re protected through responsive relationships and reflective practice.”

Compliance with Compassion: A Dual Approach

Forward-thinking services, including not-for-profit organisations like Goodstart, are already integrating CCTV in new centres—but not as a stand-alone measure. Instead, they combine it with training, policy reform, and transparent communication with families.

For others—particularly regional or older facilities—the cost of retrofitting is a major hurdle. If mandates proceed, government support will be critical to ensure equity and avoid penalizing services that are already stretched thin.

What Comes Next?

Education ministers are expected to revisit this proposal in August. In the meantime, leaders across the sector continue calling for consultation, nuance, and a balanced response—one that embeds CCTV where needed but foregrounds educator professionalism, reflective practice, and strong safeguards.