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The Advertiser
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Worried parents demand national childcare watchdog
Parents could be forced to monitor the quality and safety of their kids' childcare providers unless the industry's fragmentation is addressed. The federal government on Wednesday fast-tracked the introduction of a bill that could strip public funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards, among other measures. Though parent and children's advocacy groups have welcomed the bill, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability across Australia. "Parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care," The Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent said. "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 child care." This national watchdog is particularly important for those outside the capital cities as one of Labor's big second-term promises was to expand universal access to early education. "For rural, regional and remote communities, this stewardship is absolutely critical," said Jacqui Emery, chief executive of country children's charity Royal Far West. "Every Australian child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning." Labor expedited its bill and introduced it to the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with dozens of sex offences involving children in early July. State regulators can already shut a centre on the spot if there is an imminent threat to safety, but Education Minister Jason Clare said the Commonwealth should also try to lift standards through its available levers. "We have to do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children when they walk or when they're carried through the doors of an early education and care service," he told parliament. "Funding is the big weapon that the Australian government has to wield here. "The real purpose of this legislation isn't to shut centres down but to raise standards." Childcare operators that fail to meet quality, safety and compliance standards could be prevented from opening new centres and might be cut off from receiving government subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees. Providers would be issued with a formal notice requiring an explanation within 28 days with the Department of Education able to cancel or suspend an operator's approval. "Providers that can improve their services to meet the standard will get the chance to do that," Mr Clare said. The bill also expands commonwealth powers to publish information about providers that are sanctioned for non-compliance. Information on centres for which childcare subsidy approvals have been suspended or cancelled can already be viewed on the department's website. But the legislation would also allow for information to be made public when compliance action is taken against providers, like when an infringement notice is issued. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said dealing with the safety of children in childcare was above politics. "I can't think of many issues in my time in this parliament that have made me feel as physically sick as this one has, and I know this feeling is shared by members across the aisle," she told parliament. There were still issues with sharing information on working-with-children checks between jurisdictions, Mr Clare said, and more work would be done at an upcoming meeting of state and federal attorneys-general. State, territory and federal ministers are also expected to meet in August to discuss other changes, including mandatory CCTV in childcare centres, establishing a national worker registry and mandatory child-safety training. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Parents could be forced to monitor the quality and safety of their kids' childcare providers unless the industry's fragmentation is addressed. The federal government on Wednesday fast-tracked the introduction of a bill that could strip public funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards, among other measures. Though parent and children's advocacy groups have welcomed the bill, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability across Australia. "Parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care," The Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent said. "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 child care." This national watchdog is particularly important for those outside the capital cities as one of Labor's big second-term promises was to expand universal access to early education. "For rural, regional and remote communities, this stewardship is absolutely critical," said Jacqui Emery, chief executive of country children's charity Royal Far West. "Every Australian child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning." Labor expedited its bill and introduced it to the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with dozens of sex offences involving children in early July. State regulators can already shut a centre on the spot if there is an imminent threat to safety, but Education Minister Jason Clare said the Commonwealth should also try to lift standards through its available levers. "We have to do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children when they walk or when they're carried through the doors of an early education and care service," he told parliament. "Funding is the big weapon that the Australian government has to wield here. "The real purpose of this legislation isn't to shut centres down but to raise standards." Childcare operators that fail to meet quality, safety and compliance standards could be prevented from opening new centres and might be cut off from receiving government subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees. Providers would be issued with a formal notice requiring an explanation within 28 days with the Department of Education able to cancel or suspend an operator's approval. "Providers that can improve their services to meet the standard will get the chance to do that," Mr Clare said. The bill also expands commonwealth powers to publish information about providers that are sanctioned for non-compliance. Information on centres for which childcare subsidy approvals have been suspended or cancelled can already be viewed on the department's website. But the legislation would also allow for information to be made public when compliance action is taken against providers, like when an infringement notice is issued. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said dealing with the safety of children in childcare was above politics. "I can't think of many issues in my time in this parliament that have made me feel as physically sick as this one has, and I know this feeling is shared by members across the aisle," she told parliament. There were still issues with sharing information on working-with-children checks between jurisdictions, Mr Clare said, and more work would be done at an upcoming meeting of state and federal attorneys-general. State, territory and federal ministers are also expected to meet in August to discuss other changes, including mandatory CCTV in childcare centres, establishing a national worker registry and mandatory child-safety training. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Parents could be forced to monitor the quality and safety of their kids' childcare providers unless the industry's fragmentation is addressed. The federal government on Wednesday fast-tracked the introduction of a bill that could strip public funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards, among other measures. Though parent and children's advocacy groups have welcomed the bill, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability across Australia. "Parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care," The Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent said. "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 child care." This national watchdog is particularly important for those outside the capital cities as one of Labor's big second-term promises was to expand universal access to early education. "For rural, regional and remote communities, this stewardship is absolutely critical," said Jacqui Emery, chief executive of country children's charity Royal Far West. "Every Australian child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning." Labor expedited its bill and introduced it to the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with dozens of sex offences involving children in early July. State regulators can already shut a centre on the spot if there is an imminent threat to safety, but Education Minister Jason Clare said the Commonwealth should also try to lift standards through its available levers. "We have to do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children when they walk or when they're carried through the doors of an early education and care service," he told parliament. "Funding is the big weapon that the Australian government has to wield here. "The real purpose of this legislation isn't to shut centres down but to raise standards." Childcare operators that fail to meet quality, safety and compliance standards could be prevented from opening new centres and might be cut off from receiving government subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees. Providers would be issued with a formal notice requiring an explanation within 28 days with the Department of Education able to cancel or suspend an operator's approval. "Providers that can improve their services to meet the standard will get the chance to do that," Mr Clare said. The bill also expands commonwealth powers to publish information about providers that are sanctioned for non-compliance. Information on centres for which childcare subsidy approvals have been suspended or cancelled can already be viewed on the department's website. But the legislation would also allow for information to be made public when compliance action is taken against providers, like when an infringement notice is issued. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said dealing with the safety of children in childcare was above politics. "I can't think of many issues in my time in this parliament that have made me feel as physically sick as this one has, and I know this feeling is shared by members across the aisle," she told parliament. There were still issues with sharing information on working-with-children checks between jurisdictions, Mr Clare said, and more work would be done at an upcoming meeting of state and federal attorneys-general. State, territory and federal ministers are also expected to meet in August to discuss other changes, including mandatory CCTV in childcare centres, establishing a national worker registry and mandatory child-safety training. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Parents could be forced to monitor the quality and safety of their kids' childcare providers unless the industry's fragmentation is addressed. The federal government on Wednesday fast-tracked the introduction of a bill that could strip public funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards, among other measures. Though parent and children's advocacy groups have welcomed the bill, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability across Australia. "Parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care," The Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent said. "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 child care." This national watchdog is particularly important for those outside the capital cities as one of Labor's big second-term promises was to expand universal access to early education. "For rural, regional and remote communities, this stewardship is absolutely critical," said Jacqui Emery, chief executive of country children's charity Royal Far West. "Every Australian child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning." Labor expedited its bill and introduced it to the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with dozens of sex offences involving children in early July. State regulators can already shut a centre on the spot if there is an imminent threat to safety, but Education Minister Jason Clare said the Commonwealth should also try to lift standards through its available levers. "We have to do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children when they walk or when they're carried through the doors of an early education and care service," he told parliament. "Funding is the big weapon that the Australian government has to wield here. "The real purpose of this legislation isn't to shut centres down but to raise standards." Childcare operators that fail to meet quality, safety and compliance standards could be prevented from opening new centres and might be cut off from receiving government subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees. Providers would be issued with a formal notice requiring an explanation within 28 days with the Department of Education able to cancel or suspend an operator's approval. "Providers that can improve their services to meet the standard will get the chance to do that," Mr Clare said. The bill also expands commonwealth powers to publish information about providers that are sanctioned for non-compliance. Information on centres for which childcare subsidy approvals have been suspended or cancelled can already be viewed on the department's website. But the legislation would also allow for information to be made public when compliance action is taken against providers, like when an infringement notice is issued. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said dealing with the safety of children in childcare was above politics. "I can't think of many issues in my time in this parliament that have made me feel as physically sick as this one has, and I know this feeling is shared by members across the aisle," she told parliament. There were still issues with sharing information on working-with-children checks between jurisdictions, Mr Clare said, and more work would be done at an upcoming meeting of state and federal attorneys-general. State, territory and federal ministers are also expected to meet in August to discuss other changes, including mandatory CCTV in childcare centres, establishing a national worker registry and mandatory child-safety training. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Worried parents demand national childcare watchdog
Parents could be forced to monitor the quality and safety of their kids' childcare providers unless the industry's fragmentation is addressed. The federal government on Wednesday fast-tracked the introduction of a bill that could strip public funding from childcare operators that fail to meet safety standards, among other measures. Though parent and children's advocacy groups have welcomed the bill, there are also calls for a national early-childhood commission to ensure consistent oversight and accountability across Australia. "Parents deserve to know that their child is safe in care," The Parenthood chief executive Georgie Dent said. "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 child care." This national watchdog is particularly important for those outside the capital cities as one of Labor's big second-term promises was to expand universal access to early education. "For rural, regional and remote communities, this stewardship is absolutely critical," said Jacqui Emery, chief executive of country children's charity Royal Far West. "Every Australian child, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, high-quality early learning." Labor expedited its bill and introduced it to the House of Representatives on Wednesday after a Victorian childcare worker was charged with dozens of sex offences involving children in early July. State regulators can already shut a centre on the spot if there is an imminent threat to safety, but Education Minister Jason Clare said the Commonwealth should also try to lift standards through its available levers. "We have to do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children when they walk or when they're carried through the doors of an early education and care service," he told parliament. "Funding is the big weapon that the Australian government has to wield here. "The real purpose of this legislation isn't to shut centres down but to raise standards." Childcare operators that fail to meet quality, safety and compliance standards could be prevented from opening new centres and might be cut off from receiving government subsidies, which typically cover a large proportion of parents' fees. Providers would be issued with a formal notice requiring an explanation within 28 days with the Department of Education able to cancel or suspend an operator's approval. "Providers that can improve their services to meet the standard will get the chance to do that," Mr Clare said. The bill also expands commonwealth powers to publish information about providers that are sanctioned for non-compliance. Information on centres for which childcare subsidy approvals have been suspended or cancelled can already be viewed on the department's website. But the legislation would also allow for information to be made public when compliance action is taken against providers, like when an infringement notice is issued. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said dealing with the safety of children in childcare was above politics. "I can't think of many issues in my time in this parliament that have made me feel as physically sick as this one has, and I know this feeling is shared by members across the aisle," she told parliament. "That these criminals have found their way into our centres and into the lives of our precious, innocent children is just appalling. So we do stand ready to continue to make sure that we get this right." There were still issues with sharing information on working-with-children checks between jurisdictions, Mr Clare said, and more work would be done at an upcoming meeting of state and federal attorneys-general. State, territory and federal ministers are also expected to meet in August to discuss other changes, including mandatory CCTV in childcare centres, establishing a national worker registry and mandatory child-safety training. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
16-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
'Wake up call': more Aussie kids missing milestones
Nearly half of all Australian children are not meeting physical, emotional, social and communication developmental milestones by the time they start school, as calls for a universal early education system intensify. Only 53 per cent of children are developmentally on track when they start school, a slight decrease since 2021, according to the Australian Early Development Census. The national survey of 288,483 children and 16,723 teachers measured development across five domains: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language skills and communication. The rate of children developmentally vulnerable in two or more domains is at its highest level since the census began in 2009, sitting at 12.5 per cent. Only 43 per cent of children in remote Australia were developmentally on track, compared to 50 per cent in larger regional areas and 54 per cent in the major cities. Those rates represented a slight decline for all children since the last census in 2021. There were also developmental gaps among First Nations students and children from lower-income families. The results demonstrated the urgency for equitable early education and health services, according to several advocacy groups. Children's health charity Royal Far West, which links rural families with specialist support, has long been highlighting the shortage of early intervention services in the bush. There were nearly 200,000 children in remote areas with very limited access to speech and language therapy or mental health support, with 37 psychologists per 100,000 people in outer regional areas. The federal government must live up to its promise to even the playing field, the charity's chief executive Jacqui Emery said. "(The) government must ensure that every Australian child, regardless of their location or circumstances, is not left behind," Ms Emery said. "The 2024 census underscores how urgent and important these reforms are for all Australian children." There have been several steps towards universal access, with the government introducing a three-day guarantee for early childhood education, abolishing the activity test and committing to build more services in areas of need. Minderoo Foundation's Thrive By Five campaign, which highlights the importance of learning and brain development in a child's early years, called for more comprehensive reforms including tailored services for First Nations children. "This data should be a wake-up call, but it should also be a call to action," spokesman Griffin Longley said. "We know what works and we know how to fix this; now we need to build the system that gives every Australian child the foundation they deserve."
