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.

Educators and families deserve a system that mirrors real-time quality and safety—one that responds instantly to compliance breaches or serious incidents rather than waiting years for the next review. Here’s a blueprint for transforming our current “tick-and-forget” model into a living, breathing accountability framework.