NSW Early Learning Commission delivers 876 compliance actions, completes 9,000 visits in unprecedented year

As the NSW Early Learning Commission approaches its inaugural anniversary the Minn’s Government has released details of the number of actions, fines and visits the body has completed so far this year as it moved to address child safety concerns across the state. 

“One year ago, we made it clear that children’s safety and wellbeing would come before the interests of providers when it came to regulating the early learning sector,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said.

“Almost 9,000 regulatory visits in a single year and a significant increase in enforcement action show that our reforms are holding providers accountable. When services fall short, there must be consequences.”

Step up in compliance activity yields substantial actions for providers

As per the release NSW has now confirmed that since its establishment, the Commission has conducted nearly 9,000 regulatory visits, 71 per cent of which were unannounced,  resulting in some cases in a 100 per cent year on year increase in compliance actions. 

• Suspended 53 educators, staff or volunteers that pose a risk to children’s safety

• Cancelled eight services and suspended a further 10

• Taken 876 compliance actions against approved providers, services and educators

• Imposed $324,290 in fines on providers for breaches of their obligations.

The ELC called out a number of large providers that had received financial penalties up to $67,000 for offences related to failing to notify the Commission, and parents, of serious incidents.

“Every operator knows what is expected of them: providing a safe, high-quality environment for children. Parents deserve confidence that when they drop their child off in the morning, their child will be safe,” Ms Car added. 

Service approval applications up 26% year on year despite regulatory scrutiny

Notably the ELC also called out that despite the regulatory crackdown the number of applications for service approvals across the September quarter has increased by 26% compared to the same quarter last year.

NSW, like many jurisdictions across Australia, has struggled with over supply of new centres for a number of years which in turn has put pressure on occupancy but also on availability of educators, both of which can negatively impact quality delivery in service. 

Although the statement did not confirm whether the 26 per cent increase was for new service approvals (greenfield sites) or service approval transfers (existing centre) it does highlight that supply is in the spotlight, albeit for different reasons, for regulators and providers alike. 

Read the ministerial media release here.