NSW Early Learning Commission conducts 220 unannounced visits

More than 100 regulatory officers conducted unannounced inspections at over 220 early learning services in a single-day compliance operation, as the NSW Early Learning Commission intensifies oversight across the sector.

The NSW Early Learning Commission has carried out a large-scale, single-day child safety compliance blitz across Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong.

On 11 February, more than 100 officers undertook unannounced visits to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, with a focus on child safety reforms, educator-to-child ratios and supervision requirements under the National Quality Framework.

Officers assessed whether services were meeting requirements relating to adequate supervision of children and prescribed staffing ratios, as well as compliance with reforms designed to strengthen child safety.

Encouragingly, around one per cent of services visited were found to be in breach of supervision and educator-to-child ratio requirements.

However, additional non-compliances were identified, including:

• failure to display the service’s compliance history
• concerns relating to how children were protected from harm and hazards
• breaches of the ban on the use of personal electronic devices while working directly with children

Information gathered during the blitz is now under review. Services found to be non-compliant must demonstrate they have addressed the issues identified.

The Commission confirmed that repeated breaches may result in on-the-spot fines.

The February operation forms part of a broader increase in regulatory activity since the NSW Early Learning Commission was established in December.

In less than three months, approximately 2,400 inspections have been conducted across the state, with more than half undertaken on an unannounced basis.

Unannounced inspections are designed to provide regulators with an accurate picture of day-to-day practice across more than 6,000 ECEC services operating in NSW.

During this period, regulatory action has included the suspension of four services and the cancellation of three others.

Services subject to regulatory action include:

• Lycee Condorcet International French School (out-of-school-hours preschool service)
• Great Western Family Day Care
• Fun2Learn in Rosehill
• Sunshine Kiddies Early Learning Centre in Bankstown
• Fairytales Preschool and Long Day Care Centre in Carlingford
• Surfside Kidz in Batemans Bay
• The Beach in Erina

Acting NSW Early Learning Commissioner Daryl Currie said the Commission’s strengthened regulatory powers support a proactive approach to managing risk.

“Parents deserve to know that their children are being left in safe hands,” Mr Currie said.

“The NSW Government’s nation-leading reforms have equipped the Commission with the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to any risk to children’s safety.

“The Commission is visiting more services, more often, as we prioritise child safety above all else.

“When children are at risk, we will act.”

The compliance focus reflects a broader shift towards more frequent monitoring, enhanced enforcement and the use of strengthened legal powers to address risks within the early childhood education and care sector.

The NSW Early Learning Commission is responsible for regulating more than 6,000 ECEC services across the state, overseeing safety, quality and compliance under the National Law and Regulations.

For approved providers, the recent activity reinforces the importance of:

• maintaining accurate staffing and ratio compliance
• ensuring active supervision at all times
• complying with restrictions on personal device use
• addressing hazards and risks in service environments
• displaying required compliance information

As regulatory oversight intensifies, services are likely to experience continued unannounced inspections as the Commission seeks to strengthen community confidence and prioritise children’s safety and wellbeing across NSW.