Australia's early childhood education experts have proposed a six-point action plan to address significant issues within the country's childcare system. This initiative comes as concerns grow over Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's commitment to implement universal childcare by 2026, amid warnings of existing regulatory failures and safety concerns in the sector.

A year-long investigation revealed alarming instances of physical and sexual abuse, chronic understaffing, and systemic regulatory failures in the $22 billion childcare industry. These findings have prompted government inquiries and reforms, including stricter penalties, trials of CCTV in facilities, mobile phone bans, and an overhaul of Working With Children Checks to improve data sharing across states. However, experts argue that these measures are insufficient to resolve deeper structural problems.

The Early Childhood Professorial Advisory Council (ECPAC), established in July, consists of 55 leading early childhood education professors and associate professors. Notable members include Professor Marianne Fenech from the University of Sydney and co-chairs Professor Suzy Edwards from the Australian Catholic University and Associate Professor Kate Highfield from the University of Canberra. In a letter to state and federal ministers, ECPAC emphasized its expertise in early childhood education and called for decisive leadership to restore public trust in the system.

"We say no to more disjointed and reactive policy band-aids. We say yes to coordinated, multi-pronged, and transformative policy levers that provide a strong foundation for high-quality early childhood education that promotes children's learning, safety, development, and wellbeing," the letter stated.

ECPAC acknowledged recent reforms, including a national workforce strategy and improved wages for educators, but highlighted ongoing systemic failures that have persisted despite numerous reviews. The council pointed out that many children remain in low-quality and unsafe environments, and many educators continue to be overworked and underpaid.

The proposed six-point plan aims to enhance the quality of early childhood education. Key principles include prioritizing children's interests, recognizing early education as a vital public good, and improving workforce quality through better pay and training. A controversial proposal suggests stricter quality controls, such as reducing staff-to-child ratios for children under two and ensuring a qualified teacher is present in every room.

ECPAC also advocates for increased transparency and accountability, urging governments to allocate resources for frequent inspections and to shut down unsafe services. They propose mandatory public reporting of financial and operational data for childcare providers, similar to the aged care sector, to allow parents to assess the performance of centers.

The final recommendation calls for the establishment of an independent national early childhood commission to oversee and coordinate the childcare system. Professor Suzy Edwards emphasized the importance of collaboration among educators and government to improve the system. "Now is the time for change, now is the moment for us all to do better together … these are the youngest of our citizens and they must have the best," she said.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the Coalition has called for an urgent Senate hearing regarding child sex offenders in childcare, following disturbing revelations about predators infiltrating centers. Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning, Julian Leeser, stated, "We want Australians to know that we are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring children in childcare centers across Australia are being protected."

The push for an independent national early childhood commission has gained support from various organizations, including the Productivity Commission and the Centre for Policy Development. Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh acknowledged receipt of ECPAC's plan and expressed willingness to discuss it further. She noted that the Albanese government's $189 million reform package aims to enhance safety and quality in early childhood education.

Experts have raised concerns about the National Quality Standard (NQS), which is overseen by the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). While ACECQA sets policies, it lacks enforcement power, relying on state regulators for compliance. Investigations revealed that some childcare centers, despite being rated as meeting or exceeding the NQS, had serious safety breaches, including cases involving convicted offenders.

Katrina Broadbent, an auditor and quality assurance head, criticized current staff-to-child ratios as unsafe, linking them to the profit-driven nature of the industry. She stated, "A ratio of one educator to four babies seems reasonable on paper but once you consider feeding, changing, naps, comforting, and playtime, it's not realistic."

Senator Walsh mentioned that education ministers have requested ACECQA to conduct a rapid review of safe supervision and staffing in early learning by the end of the year. Broadbent highlighted the inconsistencies in how states enforce early childhood standards, complicating national training efforts.

Concerns also exist regarding the effectiveness of Working With Children Checks, with reports of expired or invalid checks at numerous centers. Liv Whitty, CEO of Oho, emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of worker suitability, stating, "Getting worker suitability right isn't technically hard. The systems exist, the data exists, the verification mechanisms exist."

The ongoing issues in Australia's childcare system have raised alarms among parents and advocates, who demand accountability and transparency to ensure the safety and well-being of children in early education settings.