South Australia's Education Minister believes there is more work to be done to boost safeguards within the childcare sector. He says well-trained staff would be the key to preventing "shocking things happening to kids".
Childcare operator given millions in funding despite 'shocking' breaches
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.
These are Australia's best and worst regions to access out-of-school care
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.
Childcare educator will not face criminal charges after alleged assault
Police finalise an investigation into an alleged assault on a young boy at a Cairns childcare centre. The worker was fired but will not face criminal prosecution.
Police investigate alleged assault on boy in Cairns childcare centre
Initial reports suggest the young child sustained minor injuries after allegedly being struck with a mop.
Victorian childcare crisis data remains secret after missed deadline
Premier Jacinta Allan's government has defied a deadline set by Victoria's parliament to publish documents detailing the state's childcare crisis.
Housing shortage in paradise could close island's only preschool
Limits on the number of homes on world-heritage-listed Lord Howe Island cause major staffing issues for the community's only preschool, which opened just last year but is already struggling.
Parents of Klemzig early learning centre speak out amid investigation
Parents at an Adelaide early learning centre under investigation have shared mixed views, as data reveals a number of centres have failed to comply with national laws since June.
Childcare operators accused of using staffing loopholes to undercut laws
More concerns have been raised about safety at childcare centres, with three-quarters of workers telling a survey their place of work was operating below minimum staffing levels at least weekly.
Early learning centre being investigated over storage of children's images
An Adelaide early learning centre is under investigation for inappropriately taking and storing images of children's injuries and nappy rash, but police say there is no evidence to support criminal charges.
Man held valid WWCC after arrest for accessing child abuse material
A prominent man from Horsham, Victoria who has been convicted of accessing child abuse material held a valid Working with Children Check for years following his arrest.
Childcare centre director speaks out over NT staff vetting concerns
A veteran childcare centre director is speaking out about inadequate vetting of new workers' employment histories in the Northern Territory, which she says leaves potential misconduct unchecked.
SA looks to fast-track ban on mobile phones in childcare centres
The South Australian government is investigating whether it can expedite a ban on mobile phones in childcare centres.
Almost half of children are not on track by the time they start school
The latest Australian Early Development Census results show we are going backwards in all five key areas, sparking calls for urgent funding.
Award-winning children's health initiative misses out on budget funding
The By Five Early Years Initiative, created in western Victoria, helps hundreds of children access specialist health services, but its future remains uncertain after it lost Victorian government funding.
$2.8m probe into childcare giant resulted in $5,000 penalty for lawyer
Regulators spent $2.8 million probing controversial deals involving Australian childcare giant G8 Education — an investigation that resulted in only one successful criminal action and a $5,000 penalty for a lawyer.
US fund managers cut corners at Australian daycares for bigger profits
When a parent drops their child at their local Only About Children childcare centre in Sydney or Melbourne, they probably don't know the revenue will be cheered on the New York Stock Exchange, writes Conor Duffy.
As voter priorities shift, some women feel ignored by male politicians
Researchers say women are feeling under represented in politics and struggle to speak up about the issues that matter to them.
Coalition pledges $20b regional fund for 'forgotten Australians'
The Coalition has promised to improve access to health care and child care in the regions, boost connectivity and improve roads with a $20 billion future fund.
Investigation launched after toddlers' escape from child care centre
The state's childcare regulator is looking into an incident where three children allegedly walked free from the centre.
Worker claims childcare company owes staff thousands of dollars in super
A former employee of childcare provider Genius Education says the company owes staff thousands in unpaid superannuation and workers were not able to say a proper goodbye to the children they cared for.