Stop abuse before it occurs: Children’s safety requires an independent national commission

Creating an independent national body to oversee early childhood education and care is the most effective way for the government to ensure children are safe, say early education campaigners. 

The Parenthood and other early learning advocates welcome the Federal Government’s new measures to enhance childcare safety – including the ability to scrap funding for providers that do not meet national quality standards – but point out proactive, long term leadership of the sector is still needed. 

The Parenthood CEO, Georgie Dent, said that reform needs to focus on addressing the current fragmentation of the early education system.

“Right now, there is no national body to ensure that every single early learning centre across Australia is providing safe and high-quality education and care. Nor is there a single source of truth for parents to turn to in such distressing times. 

“We need national coordination on everything from processes for hiring new staff, educator training and background checks, to body safety protocol and government funding arrangements. All levels of government need to work together and provide adequate resourcing to the regulatory bodies in the system. 

“That’s what an Independent National Early Childhood Commission – as was recommended by the Productivity Commission last year – could have the power to achieve. 

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about the quality and safety of centres. At the absolute baseline, parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care. But without a national leader to oversee, monitor and regulate quality and safety, the onus is still on parents, many of whom have little choice around their reliance on childcare. 

“Ahead of this year’s Federal Election, the Prime Minister said that he wanted universal early childhood education and care to be his legacy. 

“The Federal Government has already taken steps towards a universal system with their accessibility and affordability measures, but safety and quality must be at the heart of systemic reform. A National Commission would address all of these issues, and ensure that every child in Australia has access to safe, high-quality, inclusive and affordable care.

"We urge the Federal Government to prioritise the establishment of a National Early Childhood Commission,” said Ms Dent.