INDEPENDENT EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMISSION ESSENTIAL TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE

Leading parent advocacy group The Parenthood supports The Greens’ call for a national, independent Early Childhood Commission to lead early childhood education and care reform, enforce nationally consistent standards, and make quality and safety non-negotiable across the country.

It comes in response to disturbing reports of child sexual abuse in Victorian childcare services.

Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, says national oversight is urgently needed to protect children and ensure quality care.

“Right now, there’s no clear way to ensure early learning services across Australia meet minimum safety and quality standards,” said Ms Dent.

“Our national quality framework is world-leading—but if those minimum requirements are not being implemented and enforced, it doesn’t count. An independent Early Childhood Commission would help to fill this role.

“Such a body - recommended by the Productivity Commission’s landmark review into the sector - would provide national leadership and coordination. 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.

“At the moment, it is possible for services that do not meet the minimum quality standards to continue to operate, using taxpayer funding through the Childcare Subsidy. This is unacceptable.

“We need an independent body to oversee safety, quality, access, workforce and funding in early childhood education. Keeping children safe should never be a partisan issue—it’s a national responsibility that demands leadership, accountability and action from every level of government.

“We support The Greens’ call for the Federal Government to urgently establish this Commission so no child’s wellbeing and safety is compromised.”