ACA welcomes national safety crackdown in early learning 

The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) today welcomes the announcement by the Federal  Government of a national early childhood educator register of all staff, mandatory child safety training, tighter safety rules, and strengthened compliance measures across the early learning sector. 

ACA President Paul Mondo said the reforms are an important step forward in rebuilding trust and ensuring children are protected in every service, every day. 

“Parents must have absolute confidence that their children are safe in early learning settings. The overwhelming majority of educators and staff are dedicated, caring professionals and these reforms  will provide the additional safeguards and transparency needed to strengthen the system and protect children,” Mr Mondo said. 

The reforms announced today include: 

• A national register of all staff working in early childhood services, covering everyone from educators to cooks and cleaners, to verify qualifications and track work history
• Mandatory child safety training to help staff detect and report suspected grooming or abuse
• A trial of CCTV in 300 centres, alongside a ban on personal mobile phones for staff while on duty 
• Up to $189 million in Commonwealth funding to support states and territories to implement the changes
• Increased compliance, with 1600 unannounced spot checks each year and stronger action against consistently non-compliant services

Mr Mondo stressed that while the reforms are essential, they must be implemented in close consultation with providers to ensure they are effective and workable. 

“Educators are our greatest asset, and families depend on safe, high-quality services. ACA looks  forward to working constructively with government, regulators and families to implement these reforms in a way that strengthens child safety while supporting services to deliver the care and education that every child deserves.”