The tragic death of 15-week-old Nanicha Singchart at an unlicensed daycare in Robinvale, Victoria, has raised serious concerns about childcare regulations in Australia. Nanicha died in January 2022 after being placed in a rocker for sleep, which was deemed an unsafe sleeping environment. Her parents, Kittitach Singchart and Patcharawan Sophui, are still seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding their daughter's death.

The daycare was operated illegally by Aree Mulada, a qualified childcare worker who admitted to quitting the regulated system due to the excessive paperwork involved. The couple believed Mulada was licensed and that regulatory checks were in place. "Our information was, they said she had a licence," Ms. Sophui stated. The couple, who migrated from Thailand in 2015, struggled to find childcare options in Swan Hill before moving to Robinvale, where they secured a spot with Mulada.

Tragically, just five days after starting at the daycare, their daughter passed away. The couple is left with unanswered questions about the care Nanicha received. "Maybe she looked after another baby or many babies … we don't know that," Ms. Sophui said.

Despite the incident, Mulada continued to operate the illegal daycare for four more months. She later pleaded guilty to two counts of running a childcare service without approval and was fined $18,000. The only official information available to Nanicha's parents is a 15-page report from the Victorian coroner, who could not determine the cause of death but noted the dangers of unsafe sleeping environments for infants.

The couple is now questioning how state authorities allowed an unapproved daycare to operate and whether Mulada was properly trained. They had visited Mulada's home prior to enrolling their daughter and were assured of her experience in childcare. "If they follow the laws, and this means, of course, they have a licence and they know the rules and then they will follow," Ms. Sophui remarked.

The public was not informed about Nanicha's death at the illegal daycare. The Department of Education's enforcement actions only noted Mulada's conviction. A recent investigation revealed numerous failures within the childcare sector, including incidents of children being restrained and left unattended.

Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests highlighted various enforcement actions taken against childcare operators. These included cases of children being physically restrained, left crying after being slapped, and unauthorized pick-ups by educators. In one instance, a child went missing for 35 minutes during an excursion.

The majority of enforcement actions last year were directed at for-profit childcare centers, which dominate the sector. Many centers had been operating for years without a publicly available quality rating, which is essential for parents to assess compliance with legal standards. For example, Wyndham Vale Montessori had no rating since its opening in November 2021 until it received a compliance notice.

In response to growing concerns, the Victorian government announced reforms in August to improve oversight of childcare centers. A new authority will ensure centers are re-rated at least annually. However, the Victorian Greens have called for more transparency, arguing that the government is not providing sufficient information about the childcare system's failings.

National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds emphasized the need for better access to information for parents. She stated that the current system prioritizes the protection of adults over the safety of children. "We need to rebalance the system and how it works to ensure children's safety is the priority," she said.

As the investigation into the childcare sector continues, the tragic loss of Nanicha Singchart serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by infants in unregulated environments. Parents are left grappling with the implications of these failures and the urgent need for reform in the childcare system.