The union is shocked and distressed by revelations of abuse and mistreatment of young children in the early childhood education and care sector.
“The allegations emerging from Victoria in early July, together with the abuse and mistreatment of children uncovered by Four Corners in March leading to a NSW Upper House Inquiry, are deeply disturbing and require strong action,” said Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews.
“For more than 50 years, union members have pushed for better pay, conditions and training to ensure higher standards of early childhood education and a strong culture of child safety.”
The union is actively engaged with the National Child Safety Review as well as the NSW Upper House Inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector. We have also consulted with the NSW regulatory authority for early childhood education and care.
For more information, read our media release here.
NSW Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Regulatory Authority – Your voice. Their safety.
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Regulatory Authority is launching a 5-week Child Safety Campaign: Your voice. Their safety. The campaign will run from 23 June 2025 to 28 July 2025.
The NSW Regulatory Authority is launching this campaign to support parents and carers to recognise child safe practices in ECEC and OOSH settings and feel confident to take action if they have a concern.
The campaign is designed to uplift and empower parents and carers by supporting their understanding of what a child-safe service looks like and how to initiate conversations with ECEC services about their child-safe practices.
It is also designed to support services and educators to engage in meaningful conversations with families about child safety in the context of ECEC.
For more information about the Child Safety Campaign please visit the department’s website.
Carol Matthews interviewed on 2SM radio
On Monday, 7 July, IEU Branch Secretary Carol Matthews joined Tim Webster on 2SM radio to discuss issues of child protection in the Early Childhood sector.
The IEU is advocating for long-term solutions to this problem, with a focus on building a strong, highly qualified workforce. While changes like increasing CCTV surveillance and banning personal mobile phones have a role to play, we believe improvements to the sector start with better wages and conditions for all staff, as well as an increased focus on qualifications and training.
Listen to the full interview:
