Introduction

At My Cubby House Early Learning Centre, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. As part of our ongoing commitment to child protection, we are encouraging all families, educators, and members of our community to participate in an important national consultation that aims to strengthen child safety in early education services across Australia. 

The Child Safety Review, led by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), is now open for public feedback. This is a valuable opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute to a safer, more responsive education system for all children. 

National Child Safety Review – Public Consultation Now Open 

In 2023, ACECQA undertook a comprehensive review of child safety arrangements under the National Quality Framework (NQF). The NQF is the national system that governs the safety, quality, and regulation of early childhood education and care across Australia. 

The review found that while the NQF provides a strong foundation for safeguarding children, there are further opportunities to improve the system and support services like ours in creating the safest possible environments. 

With insights from that review, the Australian Government, in collaboration with all states and territories, has developed proposed changes. These proposals are now available for public consultation and feedback. 

What Are the Possible Changes?

The proposed improvements are grouped into six key themes. Each theme addresses a specific area of concern identified in the review and is designed to strengthen the safety, consistency, and accountability of early childhood education and care services. 

1. Management of Digital Devices 

This proposal focuses on increasing protections around the use of digital devices by those working with children. It specifically considers the regulation of personal device use in education and care settings to ensure appropriate supervision and interactions at all times. 

2. Child Safety Training 

A proposed change to introduce mandatory, nationally consistent child protection training for all educators and staff. This training would strengthen the knowledge and skills needed to recognise, respond to, and prevent harm and abuse. 

3. Responding to Educator and Staff Conduct 

Proposed improvements to how inappropriate conduct is addressed. This includes making certain behaviours an offence, improving the sharing of prohibition notices and suspension orders with providers, and expanding regulatory responses to serious conduct concerns. 

4. Working With Children Checks (WWCC) 

Recommendations to provide a more nationally consistent approach to WWCC requirements and practices. Changes may include requiring all staff to have a valid WWCC before starting work, and obligations to notify services of any changes in WWCC status. 

5. Improving the Physical Safety of Services 

This theme looks at the design and maintenance of early learning environments to support better supervision and safety. It includes assessing formal boundaries in family day care settings and increasing the powers of authorised officers to access all areas of residences used for family day care. 

6. Additional Recommendations 

A set of broader recommendations to improve how regulatory authorities operate. These include updating how related providers are monitored, extending timeframes for legal proceedings, and enhancing engagement with recruitment agencies during investigations. 

To read more about each proposed change and download fact sheets, visit the official consultation website: 
https://content.deloitte.com.au/ChildSafetyReview 

Why Your Feedback Matters

Whether you are a parent, carer, educator, or community member, your voice can help shape the future of early childhood education and care in Australia. This is your chance to contribute to national improvements that impact: 

• The safety and wellbeing of children 

• The confidence and trust of families in early learning services 

• The ability of educators and services to meet the highest standards of care 

By participating in the consultation, you help ensure that changes reflect the real experiences, concerns, and priorities of those who engage with education and care services every day. 

How to Participate

can get involved in a few simple steps: 

• Visit the consultation webpage at https://content.deloitte.com.au/ChildSafetyReview 

• Read about each of the proposed changes 

• Download relevant information sheets or FAQs 

• Share your thoughts and feedback via the online survey 

You can also share this opportunity with others in your network to help ensure as many voices as possible are included. 

Need Support or Have Questions?

If you have any concerns or would like help understanding the consultation process, support is available. 

For general questions or clarification, contact: 

• Deloitte Access Economics RIA team: 
  Email: ChildSafetyReviewRIA@deloitte.com.au 

• Child Safety Review Project Team: 
  Email: CSR.consultation@qed.qld.gov.au 

Please note: reflecting on child safety issues may bring up difficult emotions. If you feel distressed at any point during the consultation, you are free to stop participating. Support services are available should you need someone to talk to. 

Our Commitment to Every Child’s Safety

At My Cubby House, we welcome this national review and see it as a vital step in building even safer, more responsive early learning environments. We are proud to uphold the National Quality Framework and believe that by working together, we can raise the standard of care and protection for every child in our community. 

We encourage all families and staff to take a moment to read the proposed changes and contribute to the consultation. Together, we can help shape a future where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to thrive.