Worse than every parent’s worst nightmare, but here’s one big thing to keep kids safe

6 hours ago 4

It is impossible to overstate the distress, fury and anguish that parents, grandparents and educators in Australia are feeling in the wake of the horrific child abuse allegations in Victorian early-learning services.

For anyone who has ever entrusted their child to a daycare centre – or is one of the vast majority of early childhood educators who show up every day to give children the best possible start in life – this news is sickening, heartbreaking, frightening and deeply unsettling. People are asking: how could this happen? How can we ensure this never happens again?

The Productivity Commission has already recommended a national body to cor-ordinate and monitor the quality of childcare.

These are critical and urgent questions. And while state and federal governments have announced or floated several measures – from banning mobile phones to improving working-with-children checks and installing CCTV – we must recognise that there is something bigger at stake.

Because this alleged crime is not just a one-off failure. It’s a systemic warning – a wake-up call that demands better leadership, stronger oversight and more accountability.

The early-learning sector in Australia has expanded rapidly in recent decades. That’s a good thing. High-quality early-childhood education benefits children for life and is essential infrastructure that enables families and communities to function. But while the sector has grown, regulation and stewardship have lagged behind.

The expansion has largely been market-led, with for-profit providers driving much of the growth. Many deliver quality but we cannot ignore the growing influence of business models that are incentivised to put profit ahead of children. The result? Too many services are understaffed, under-supported and under pressure to cut corners. That’s a dangerous mix.

Meanwhile, not-for-profit and community-run services, which are deeply rooted in local communities and more consistently deliver excellent outcomes, are increasingly being squeezed out. If we are serious about safety and quality, we need to support these providers – and make sure every new investment strengthens the sector, not fragment it further.

We already have a strong foundation: Australia’s National Quality Framework is world-leading. We know what high-quality education and care looks like. But standards alone are not enough. For them to mean anything, they must be backed by well-funded regulators, clear accountability and consequences when things go wrong.

That’s why one big and important thing the government must do now is establish a National Early Childhood Commission.

This body – recommended by the Productivity Commission’s landmark review into the sector – would provide national leadership and co-ordination. It would oversee safety, quality, access, workforce and funding. It would ensure that public money is used well, that children are protected, and that services are accountable for the care they provide.

This is especially urgent as we move towards a more universal system, where early learning is more affordable and available to all. By 2028, the federal government is expected to spend $17 billion a year on early learning – mostly via subsidies paid to providers through Centrelink. Unlike schools, which governments fund directly, this arms-length model creates a disconnect: the government pays the bills but doesn’t control quality or location.

That means market forces determine where centres are built, not where children need them. A quarter of Australians live in childcare deserts because governments aren’t guiding growth. A national commission could fix that, helping ensure every child has access to quality early learning and care, not just those in postcodes where fees are highest.

Importantly, a commission would also strengthen workforce stability – a key factor in child safety. We need a culture where educators feel supported and confident to speak up. Where children see familiar faces every day, not a revolving door of casual and temporary staff.

Here is an uncomfortable but important question: would the risk of predators in the system be so high if it didn’t rely so heavily on a transient, casual workforce to plug gaps?

We must ensure the system supports and retains the extraordinary professionals who dedicate their lives to nurturing and educating young children. They deserve more than applause. They deserve professional pay, appropriate education and training and strong service leadership – and a system that values them as essential.

To the families affected by this horror, my heart is with you. And to every parent feeling fearful, angry or uncertain: you are not alone. If you are concerned, speak to your service. Check the quality rating. Ask questions. Trust your gut. You deserve to feel confident that your child is safe and supported.

Early-childhood education has enormous benefits. But when cracks appear, we must respond with more than outrage. We must build something better.

This is a moment to act – not just to react.

Let this be the moment we commit to a safe, high-quality and truly universal early-learning system. One that puts children first, supports educators and restores trust for every family, in every community, across this country.

Georgie Dent is chief executive of The Parenthood, a leading parenting advocacy organisation.