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NSW Digital Hub puts children’s data security back in the spotlight for ECEC services
A New South Wales Government digital portal designed to streamline funding and reporting for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services has prompted fresh concerns about how children’s personal information is stored, accessed and protected.
2026-01-15 07:30:14
by Fiona Alston
Economics
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Cost of living eased with Three-Day Guarantee
For many Australians, the Three Day Guarantee launched this week may pass quietly in the background, particularly for those not directly engaged in the early learning system... But for families raising young children today and participating in early learning, the Albanese Government’s decision to provide three days of subsidised child care each week for all children, is a tangible and long-overdue step toward easing household pressures through cost-of-living relief.
2026-01-15 07:00:50
by Fiona Alston
Policy
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NSW signals tougher child safety oversight: what a funding boost to the Office of the Children’s Guardian could mean for ECEC services
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across New South Wales should expect increased compliance activity after the NSW Government announced additional funding to strengthen the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG), the state’s independent child safety regulator.
2026-01-14 13:45:15
by Fiona Alston
Economics
Provider
Research
Workforce
Australia’s population outlook: What it means for the early childhood sector
The Australian Government’s release of the 2025 Population Statement provides a timely snapshot of demographic change, one with significant implications for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across the country. The latest projections confirm slowing population growth, declining birth rates, and a shift toward an ageing population, reinforcing the need for strategic planning, policy alignment and investment in the early years.
2026-01-13 08:00:47
by Fiona Alston
Policy
Practice
Provider
Quality
Research
What Australia can learn from the UK’s new inspection framework
As Australia prepares for wide-reaching changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) in 2026, it is timely to examine how other countries are evolving their approaches to regulation and quality assurance in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Recent updates to the United Kingdom's (UK) Ofsted inspection framework offer key insights for Australian providers, policymakers and sector leaders as they navigate the next wave of reforms.
2026-01-13 07:30:03
by Fiona Alston
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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
Policy
Practice
Provider
Quality
Research
What Australia can learn from the UK’s new inspection framework
2026-01-13 07:30:03
by Fiona Alston
Economics
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One in six Aussie children at risk of missing the basics for school: Through the Officeworks Back to School Appeal you can help change that
2026-01-13 08:30:29
by Fiona Alston
