- Report tabled in Parliament which identifies opportunities to further strengthen WA's early childhood education and care sector
- Cook Government to ban the use of personal mobile phones in early childhood services
- To increase compliance efforts, $1.1 million will be invested to bolster the capacity of the Department of Communities' Education and Care Regulatory Unit
The Cook Government has today tabled a report in Parliament to bolster child safety in early learning services across Western Australia.
While WA already has a strong regulatory framework, Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton last month ordered a snap review by the Department of Communities' Education and Care Regulatory Unit (ECRU) to identify opportunities to further strengthen the system.
The report presents five recommendations, covering a range of themes including legislation, sector quality controls, elevation of training, and reporting and endorsement of national aligned policies.
In response to the recommendations, the Cook Government will work to introduce a number of immediate measures aimed at boosting child safety in early childhood and care services.
This includes working with the early learning sector and the union to expedite the banning of personal mobile phones in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services, recognising the risk that these devices pose to the safety of children.
Consultation will be undertaken with the sector and the union to identify where reasonable adjustments should be made for workers, such as those with caring duties or particular health conditions.
To increase compliance efforts, the Cook Government will also provide $1.1 million to bolster ECRU's capacity.
Additionally, the government will work with the Parliament to progress the Education and Care Services National Law Application Bill, which represents a major step to align WA's education and care legislation with the rest of Australia.
The Bill will support a timelier application of modifications to the national law, ensuring WA's early childhood and care legislation remains consistent with all Australian jurisdictions.
Several steps have already been taken to bolster child safety in early learning services, including expanding mandatory reporter groups to include early childhood educators.
The Cook Government will continue to carefully consider how other recommendations could be implemented to enhance child safety in early learning services.
The legal obligation for ensuring child safety outcomes in ECEC settings rests with the approved provider.
Where services fail to meet their legal requirements, the Department of Communities takes appropriate enforcement actions.
The Early Childhood Minister will continue to work with Ministers at Federal, State and Territory levels to continue to progress national reforms in child safety.
The Review of Western Australia's regulatory approach to child safety in Early Childhood Education Settings can be found on the Department of Communities website: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/ecru-news
As stated by Early Childhood Minister Sabine Winton:
"It is important to acknowledge that there are thousands of incredible early childhood educators that work hard each and every day to nurture children and support families.
"This review should give confidence to families that we are taking their concerns about safety in early childhood education and care settings seriously; every child deserves to be safe.
"While the review found that Western Australia has a comparatively robust regulatory framework, we will continue to look at ways to strengthen our regulation of the sector.
"The measures announced today are about stronger legislation, stronger compliance, and a stronger stance on child safety.
"As Early Childhood Minister, I am strongly committed to advocating for the progression of important child safety reforms to the Federal Government."
