Childcares to install CCTV cameras as part of safety reforms, bigger fines and transparency for parents

Security cameras will be installed in childcare centres, safety issues publicised and bigger fines slapped on dodgy operators as part of measures unveiled to keep children safe.

NSW hopes other states will also follow it in placing children’s safety as a “paramount consideration” in the ageing national framework governing state regulation of early childhood education and care.

The changes unveiled on Thursday follow an independent review finding a state childcare regulator was not “sufficiently transparent” when it came to its compliance and investigations of breaches by childcare operators.

A federal Productivity Commission report also found NSW had more breaches than the rest of the nation combined for five consecutive years.

“We want to make sure parents have confidence when they drop off their children each and every day that they will be safe,” Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos told reporters on Thursday.

“In NSW, we have one third of the nation’s centres and we think this is too important to be lost (so) we will require child safety to be put over profits.”

Ms Houssos said the penalties for childcare operators were “wholly inadequate” and would be increased.

Other important reforms include permission for a new watchdog to install and control CCTV cameras inside centres, with footage able to be reviewed to assist with investigating complaints and concerns.

Providers will also have to notify families if they are being investigated for serious breaches and be more transparent with parents by publishing information on their service quality and safety performance.

A 166-page report by former NSW deputy ombudsman Chris Wheeler found the current regulator’s performance was hampered by national laws and frameworks.

It was also not “sufficiently transparent” about its investigations, and was less open about its compliance work than counterparts in Queensland and Victoria.

“We’ve had some really shocking and terrible cases ... and it’s hard as a person and a parent not to be moved,” Ms Houssos said.

“That’s why we have a responsibility to ensure we have a strong and robust regulatory system that means when centres do the wrong thing, parents know about it and appropriate actions are taken.”.

In March, a separate parliamentary inquiry was called after damning revelations on the ABC found children allegedly being sexually abused, left restrained in high chairs for hours and receiving substandard meals.