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Victorian Parliament releases key paper on child safety and reform in ECEC
A new research paper from the Victorian Parliamentary Library, A Moment of Reckoning: Recent Developments in Childcare Safety, explores the significant reforms reshaping early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Victoria. The paper provides a clear overview of the events, legislation and public concerns that have driven a major regulatory shift in the state’s approach to child safety and oversight of services.
2026-01-23 09:52:28
by Fiona Alston
Research
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Naming private body parts isn’t optional: Why accurate language belongs in personal safety education
Teaching children the correct anatomical names for their private body parts can feel confronting for some adults. Yet evidence and child protection experts continue to point to the same conclusion: accurate language supports children’s safety, health and autonomy and reduces the secrecy and shame that can prevent children from speaking up.
2026-01-23 08:06:52
by Fiona Alston
Quality
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Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are entrusted with one of the most important responsibilities, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children. Effective incident prevention and management practices are vital to meeting this responsibility, and are mandated under both federal legislation and the National Quality Framework (NQF).
2026-01-23 08:06:51
by Fiona Alston
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Have Your Say: NSW Review of the Working with Children Check, shaping child safety laws
Ensuring the safety of children and young people in education, care and community settings is a shared responsibility. In New South Wales (NSW), the Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a cornerstone of child protection law, a screening mechanism that helps prevent people who pose an unacceptable risk from working or volunteering with children. Now, the NSW Government has opened a public consultation to review the legislation that underpins this system, inviting individuals, families, service providers and organisations to have their say on how it can be strengthened and made fairer and more effective.
2026-01-23 08:06:50
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Policy
Provider
Expanding access to early education in regional South Australia: New investment brings services closer to families
Access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is central to children’s development, family wellbeing and community prosperity. In a significant joint commitment, the Albanese and Malinauskas governments have announced a major expansion of early learning infrastructure in regional South Australia, delivering new and expanded services where families need them most.
2026-01-23 08:06:50
by Fiona Alston
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Four new kindergartens to open in Greater Geelong in Term 1 2026
2026-01-19 07:15:40
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Provider
Stunning Sydney childcare centre sells for $11.5 million
2026-01-23 08:06:51
by Contributed Content
Economics
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Australia’s population outlook: What it means for the early childhood sector
2026-01-13 08:00:47
by Fiona Alston
