A Legislative Council Select Committee is calling for public input on its inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector in Victoria.
The Select Committee was established after revelations about child safety impacting the sector.
“Thousands of Victorian parents and families have been left devastated by a system where regulation and compliance failed to protect Victorian children,” said Select Committee Chair, Anasina Gray-Barberio.
“Our Select Committee inquiry will take a detailed look at what’s happening in the early childhood education and care sector. We encourage parents, educators, community members and experts to have their say on how we can improve the system to support educators and ensure proper safeguards are in place,” she said.
The inquiry will examine the adequacy of current quality and safety standards, as well as the quality and oversight of educator training, professional development and qualifications including the effectiveness of Working with Children Checks.
It will also consider the impacts of Victoria’s predominantly privatised system, the impact of workforce conditions, the adequacy of staff-to-child ratio regulations, and whether there is sufficient oversight of the Department of Education.
The terms of reference also enable the Select Committee to consider any other matters in relation to the adequacy, implementation, compliance and/or enforcement of child safety standards and regulations in the sector.
“This is a wide-ranging inquiry and a much-needed review to help restore community confidence in the early childhood education and care sector,” Ms Gray-Barberio said.
“We welcome those involved with or participating in the sector to contribute their views to ensure we can recommend meaningful improvements to ensure the future safety of our children.”
Public submissions can be made online until 30 November.
The Select Committee will present an interim report in early 2026 and a final report to Parliament by 31 July 2026.
