Topic analysis

Lax rules and rise in for-profit childcare allow predators to abuse children, NSW inquiry finds

A scathing New South Wales upper house inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector found systemic weaknesses—including lax regulation and the proliferation of for-profit, especially private equity-backed, services—have allowed predators to work in childcare and abuse children. The report recommends curbing profiteering, shifting toward non-profit and government-run services, improving staffing supervision, and addressing long-standing non-compliance issues, with the NSW government stating it will consider the recommendations.