In the wake of harrowing abuse allegations against a male childcare worker in Victoria, Australia, many male educators are grappling with a new wave of scrutiny, stigma, and self-doubt. For Ben Munroe, a 27-year-old early childhood educator in Melbourne, the news was more than disturbing—it was personally devastating.

In a move that has ignited national debate, Inspire Early Learning Journey has announced that male educators will no longer be permitted to change nappies or perform toileting duties at any of its 16 centres across Victoria. The decision, communicated in a letter to families, is being implemented immediately and has drawn both support and criticism from across the early childhood education sector.

Starting September 26, all childcare providers in Victoria will be required to adopt a strict ban on personal smartphones. Non-compliance could result in fines up to $50,000 and alterations to licensing conditions. Although personal device bans exist within national frameworks, enforcement has previously relied on individual centers—a shortfall the government is now determined to rectify.

***WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT***  In response to alarming revelations of child abuse within early learning settings, the Victorian Government has announced sweeping changes to the state’s Working with Children Check (WWCC) laws—aimed at tightening safeguards and closing systemic loopholes.

Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS) in Melbourne has decided to replace Mother's and Father's Day celebrations with "Family Day" to honour all caregivers and significant figures in children's lives.

Thousands of families are reportedly impacted by the cyberattack that attacked one of Victoria's biggest childcare providers, Guardian Childcare.

A Melbourne council's decision to ban gifts to Educators has drawn criticism from locals and parents who feel it was stealing Christmas.

To help Educators understand some more of the ‘who, what, when, where and why’ of the Referendum and Treaty, and how to discuss a First Nations Voice and Treaty with children, Community Child Care has asked Aunty Geraldine Atkinson if she would kindly share her knowledge with everybody, through an online webinar.

A 10-week-old infant severely scratched by another child at a Melbourne childcare service had to be transported to the hospital, after the infant was covered in over a dozen scratches.

The Victoria's Child Safe Standards Posters are a set of mandatory requirements to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. The new 11 Child Safe Standards came into force in Victoria on 1 July 2022.