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Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

As 2026 begins, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia are preparing for a year of substantial reform, focused on strengthening child safety and raising the bar on national standards. Following a series of agreements by Education Ministers in 2025, new changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Education and Care Services National Law will take effect progressively throughout the year. These reforms reflect the shared commitment of educators, families, communities and governments to place child safety and wellbeing at the centre of early learning environments.

2026-01-12 07:15:47

by Fiona Alston

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NQF Annual Report 2025: Quality gains continue, but sector faces compliance pressures and persistent equity gaps

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has released its ninth Annual Performance Report on the National Quality Framework (NQF), confirming the sector’s steady upward trajectory in quality while highlighting rising compliance pressures, persistent equity gaps, and a renewed national focus on safety and workforce development.

2025-12-10 07:21:19

by Fiona Alston

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Free governance and risk tools available for ECEC providers

The Governance and Risk Management Program delivered in partnership between the NSW Department of Education and Early Childhood Australia (ECA) offers free, practical support to early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers and leaders across NSW. 

2025-12-10 06:31:53

by Fiona Alston

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ECEC services to close early for mandatory child safety training under national reforms

New national reforms will see early childhood education and care (ECEC) services close from 5pm on selected days each year to complete mandatory safety training aimed at strengthening child protection practices across the sector.

2025-12-01 07:10:09

by Fiona Alston

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NSW Government introduces landmark early childhood reforms to put child safety first

The NSW Government has introduced landmark legislation to the NSW Parliament, marking the most significant reform to early childhood education and care (ECEC) regulation in 15 years.

2025-09-10 08:40:30

by Fiona Alston

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Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

2026-01-12 07:15:47

by Fiona Alston

Policy

Practice

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Standard 7.1 now explicitly embeds child safety: What “governance” needs to look like in 2026

2026-01-16 07:15:42

by Fiona Alston

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NSW regulator permanently closes Sydney childcare service after long-running safety and compliance concerns

2026-01-12 07:00:59

by Fiona Alston