Children

The ABC has learned of a number of incidents at a childcare centre in Sydney's south in the months leading up to a toddler being mistakenly taken home by a grandfather on Monday.

A childcare operator who tried to force a pregnant employee to resign is among those named and shamed by the federal government in a recent crackdown on national quality standards.

Many Australian families use melatonin supplements to help their kids get a good night's sleep. But new data shows a concerning spike in overdoses among children taking the gummies.

Tasmania's child safety regulator is inquiring into concerns that prisoners who have offended against children could — until recently — be employed at the state's reception prisons.

Questionable uses of force by staff on children and insufficient recording of incidents in Canberra's only youth prison are just a few of the critical findings in an independent oversight committee's new report.

A mother who lost her toddler son in an all-too-common farm accident turns to writing and launches a foundation to support farming families.

In some cases, a lack of places in residential care means children have to be placed in high-cost options like hotels.

Most states and territories were blindsided by the unveiling of a new program to move children with mild to moderate developmental delays and autism off the National Disability Insurance Scheme, despite the federal health minister's expectation they will match his $2 billion funding pledge.

A new report has revealed isolations at South Australia's only youth detention centre increased by 50 per cent during a period last year and has questioned the legality of their use, with one respondent saying they felt they were being "punished like a dog". 

Not-for-profit Allambi Care was named during a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday as the subject of a redacted forensic auditor's report tabled in parliament.

Parents of young children are looking at alternative options to daycare centres as the sector and governments troubleshoot child safety and compliance issues.

A not-for-profit helping at-risk youth has been accused of possible corrupt conduct after a report revealed misuse of taxpayer funds.

Inspired by trips to Wild Desert park, outback kids hit the stage to retell the ecological comeback story of bilbies in the Corner Country of New South Wales.

Darren McCallum's daughter inspired him to write his first book for young children, The Wobbly Bike, which is among the winners of the 2025 CBCA Book of the Year awards.

Children's commissioner Anne Hollonds says regulations are far too weak in a sector supposed to care for Australia's youngest and most vulnerable citizens. 

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into the childcare sector has been told of a number of regulation breaches by the owner of Little Zak's Academy.

For many Australian parents the 9am to 3pm school day doesn't line up with their working day, but in large parts of the country accessing a spot at before and after-school care is not an option.

A woman tells a court she was scared for her life during a violent robbery by three teens at a shopping centre in Far North Queensland.

On Thursday, the ABC revealed that a 15-year-old Aboriginal boy died by suicide in a residential care home south-west of Brisbane.

The death of a six-year-old girl who was twice sent home for Sydney Children's Hospital has been referred to a coroner.