Strengthening Child Safety in Early Learning

At Edge Early Learning, the safety, wellbeing and rights of every child are our highest priority. We welcome the nationally agreed reforms to the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations, which further strengthen child safety across early learning services in Australia.

These reforms reflect the shared expectations of governments, families and communities for the highest standards of safety, quality and accountability in early childhood education. We take these changes seriously and support all initiatives that reinforce strong safeguards for children now and into the future.

What Are the National Child Safety Reforms?

Following extensive consultation and analysis, Education Ministers have endorsed a comprehensive package of reforms aimed at strengthening child safety in education and care services. These decisions are being implemented through legislative amendments by governments.

The reforms are designed to embed and strengthen child safety by:

• Enhancing provider accountability
• Improving information-sharing across jurisdictions
• Expanding regulatory powers to monitor and enforce compliance
• Increasing penalties and expanding infringement notices and offences
• Introducing the paramountcy principle, ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing are the primary consideration
• Establishing a national early childhood worker register

Together, these changes reinforce the central role of child safety within the National Quality Framework (NQF) and across the early learning sector. You can understand more about these changes by reading the Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS).

What These Changes Mean for Families

For families, these reforms provide greater confidence that early learning services are meeting consistent, nationally aligned safety standards. The changes enhance oversight, transparency and accountability. They help ensure children are protected, supported and able to thrive in safe, nurturing environments.

At Edge Early Learning, we understand the trust families place in us. These reforms closely align with our existing approach and values, and we view them as an important step forward for the sector.

How Edge Early Learning Is Responding

Edge Early Learning already operates with robust child-safe practices and governance frameworks in place. We welcome reforms that strengthen protections for children and support continuous improvement across early childhood education.

Our commitment includes:

• Maintaining strong child-safe policies and procedures across all services
• Supporting educators and leaders through clear guidance and ongoing training
• Reviewing and updating practices as regulations and official guidance are finalised
• Working collaboratively with regulatory authorities and sector partners to ensure full compliance
• Providing multiple channels for reporting any concerns for team members, families and visitors

We take our responsibilities seriously and are committed to implementing these changes thoughtfully and effectively as further details are released.

When Will the Changes Commence?

While some amendments to the National Law have already been made, further regulatory development is underway. This means some details may evolve as regulations are finalised.

ACECQA will release updated guidance and information sheets, along with updates to the Guide to the NQF as they become available. The current version of the Guide can be accessed here.

We will continue to monitor all jurisdictional updates closely.

Our Ongoing Commitment to Child Safety

Strengthening child safety in early learning is a shared national responsibility. At Edge Early Learning, we support reforms that promote transparency, accountability and the highest standards of care.

Above all, we remain committed to creating safe, nurturing, inclusive and high-quality learning environments where every child’s wellbeing is protected, respected and prioritised—every day. View our Child Safety and Safeguarding Commitment.