Update: Free parent Checklist for Safe Childcare™ – Now Available in Our Shop for Download.

There are moments in the national conversation that hit us in the chest. Moments that leave parents clutching their children tighter, educators questioning the strength of their systems, and communities reeling from a sense of betrayal.

The recent allegations involving a childcare worker in Victoria, accused of unspeakable crimes against children in their care, is one of those moments.

While the investigation is ongoing, the gravity of what’s being alleged is chilling. If true, dozens of children may have been harmed over a period of at least three years before any red flags were acted upon.

And the most haunting part? There were signs. Signs that weren’t seen, or worse, were not taken as seriously as they should have been.

This isn’t just a story about one individual. It’s a story about a system that failed to prevent them from having access to children in the first place. A system that left parents and childcare centres in the dark. A system that didn’t act fast enough because it didn’t even know there was a monster in the cupboard.

How Could This Happen?

At the centre of this tragedy is a question every parent now finds themselves asking:

“How could someone like this work in a childcare centre?”

The truth is, our current childcare oversight system – while filled with dedicated professionals – has serious gaps. Some of those gaps include:

• Inconsistent health and behaviour screening during hiring
• No national or centralised register of childcare workers with real-time updates on investigations
• Lack of automatic notifications from police to regulatory authorities when a worker is being investigated.
• Delayed communication with families even when a risk has been identified
• And poor visibility for parents on what policies and systems are in place behind the scenes

These gaps are not just bureaucratic missteps. They are the space in which harm occurs.

This Isn’t About Blame. It’s About Responsibility

Let’s be clear: The blame for any abuse lies solely with the perpetrator. But responsibility? That lies with all of us.

Responsibility lies with governments to legislate stronger protections.

With regulatory bodies to enforce real-time accountability.

With childcare providers to go beyond the minimum standards.

And with parents – not to carry the burden of protection alone – but to ask questions, start conversations, and demand better.

Because the uncomfortable truth is this:

• Too many parents don’t know what they don’t know.
• They don’t know what their childcare centre’s safety protocols are.
• They don’t know how staff are screened or supervised.
• They don’t know how complaints are handled; or if anyone is even listening.

We Can’t Rely on Trust Alone

Childcare is one of the most trust-based industries in existence.

We hand over our children – our babies – to people we hope are kind, qualified, and safe.

But hope is not a system… And trust is not a safeguard.

Trust must be earned, yes – but more importantly, it must be verified.

Not through a sense of suspicion, but through respectful transparency.

It’s not rude to ask:

• Who will be caring for my child today?
• Are staff subject to regular drug and health screening?
• Is there CCTV? Can I access footage if I have concerns?
• What happens if a staff member is under investigation?
• How do you handle complaints from families?

These are not “nosy” questions. They are necessary ones.

Because when a system relies on silence, secrecy, or assumptions – children pay the price.

A Practical Way Forward: The 4 Pillars of Safe Childcare™

We created the 4 Pillars of Safe Childcare™ as a way to help parents and educators have meaningful, informed, and respectful conversations about safety.

It’s not a scare campaign. It’s not a legal document. It’s a tool. A conversation starter. A lifeline for parents unsure where to start.

We believe every childcare centre should have strong foundations in these four areas:

1. Safe Children – Are children protected from harm, and heard when something is wrong?
2. Safe People – Are staff appropriately screened, supervised, and supported?
3. Safe Environments – Are the spaces secure, clean, inclusive, and actively monitored?
4. Safe Systems – Are there clear policies, incident responses, and transparent communication?

And to help parents navigate these conversations, we’ve created a free downloadable questionnaire that you can take with you when visiting or evaluating a childcare centre.

It includes the key questions you should ask – not in judgment, but in partnership.

Because when families and services work together, children win.

The Call to Action We All Need

If you’re a parent – start asking questions.

If you’re a childcare worker – reflect on your systems and open the door to dialogue.

If you’re a community member – demand that lawmakers prioritise child safety as non-negotiable.

And if you’re grieving, angry, or afraid after reading about this case in Victoria – you’re not alone. Let that emotion move you into action. Let it lead you to change.

Together, we can build a sector where safety is not just a checkbox – but a culture. Where no parent has to lie awake at night wondering if they missed something. And where no child has to be failed by the very people and systems meant to protect them.

(By Jodie Broadbent, Department of Future)