Every child has a right to be safe, secure and supported when they attend early childhood education and care.

However, the sector has recently faced growing pressures.

Rapid expansion, workforce shortages, and outpaced regulation have left gaps in child safety.

Families need confidence that services are safe, and educators need systems that support them to make this possible.

Our Safety Explainer unpacks the mix of rapid sector growth, stretched workforce capacity and outdated regulation that has placed children at risk.

Importantly, it also shows the reforms now underway, including stronger training, more site visits, and a national educator register, which will all help to turn the tide.

This is not just about fixing problems. It’s about laying the foundations for a stronger, safer, and more trusted system for every child and every family.