Funding cuts, national worker registry among reforms in Labor’s childcare crackdown

A third of childcare services put on notice by the federal government for failing to meet quality and safety standards will likely have their federal funding axed or suspended in a crackdown on the embattled childcare sector.

The move is part of sweeping reforms introduced after a series of shocking, high-profile scandals, including allegations of child sexual offences and physical abuse committed by educators.

Since August, more than 60 centres had conditions placed on them for noncompliance with the National Quality Standard, with 30 services given a February deadline to lift their standards.

Nine failed to meet standards, one centre was closed, and 19 others were found to be compliant upon reassessment.

The remaining one service is yet to be assessed by their state regulator.

Education Minister Jason Clare welcomed the results as evidence of the new laws lifting standards.

“This legislation is now doing this. The threat of cutting off funding has forced centres to act,” he said.

“We are doing this all for a reason. There is nothing more important than our kids and keeping them safe.”

From Friday, a new national worker register and mandatory child safety training will also take effect, with providers looking at fines of up to $34,200 should they fail to comply with either of the new rules.

National worker register

The National Early Childhood Worker Register requires childcare services to provide staff information, like working with children checks, qualifications and identifying information.

This will make it easier to track educators across centres and jurisdictions.

Providers will have a month to upload workforce information to the register, which must be updated within 14 days of someone being employed, leaving, or when relevant information changes.

Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh described the register as a significant step in regulating the sector.

“The new educator register marks a huge change – allowing regulators across the country to see and share critical information to help keep children safe,” she said.

Mandatory child safety training

More than 100,000 staff have already registered for the new mandatory child safety training – developed by the Australian Centre for Child Protection – that will give educators the skills to detect, stop and report abuse.

Staff will be required to complete the training within six months, and new staff must complete the training within 14 days.

Aside from educators, it will also be compulsory for company directors and centre leadership.

Services will be able to close for a few evenings each year – with advance notice provided to families – to ensure staff have time to undergo training.

“Our early educators are the best asset we’ve got to keep our children safe,” Mr Clare said.

“This training will help give them the skills they need to identify someone who might be up to no good.”