Crucial Education Ministers Meeting puts national ECEC commission into the spotlight

A proposed national commission and findings from  CCTV trail involving more than 300 services are among the matters education ministers will discuss at today’s meeting.

Australia’s education ministers meet today, Monday 2 November, to consider further changes to early childhood education and care, including a proposed national commission to improve planning and oversight.

Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh told Senate estimates that the commission could support a more coordinated approach to service provision, with some areas experiencing an oversupply of centres while others face shortages.

Commission proposal returns to ministers

As The Sector reported on Friday, governments are examining how a national Early Education and Care Commission could help guide where services are needed and support workforce development.

Today’s discussions follow ministers’ July agreement to explore the proposal. Its structure, responsibilities and implementation timetable remain under consideration.

CCTV findings also under consideration

Ministers will also discuss CCTV following a national assessment involving more than 300 early childhood services. 

The work examined the use of CCTV across different service settings, including privacy, data storage, safety and operational considerations. It is intended to inform nationally consistent guidance, rather than establish a national rollout.

Access the Department of Education’s information about the proposed commission here.