2026 ECEC Sector Updates: What They Mean for Families

The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector continues to evolve to strengthen child safety in childcare, educator professionalism, and trust for families. Several important national and NSW-specific updates are coming into effect over the next two years, and while they may sound technical, their purpose is simple: to better protect children and give families greater confidence in their childcare and preschool services.

At Elementary Academy, we welcome these changes and already align our practices with many of these strengthened standards. Here’s what families in Merrylands and surrounding communities need to know.

Mandatory Child Protection Foundation Training (From 27 February 2026)

From 27 February 2026, Foundation Child Protection Training will be available to all individuals working or placed in ECEC settings, including:

• Approved providers and people with management or control

• Nominated Supervisors and those in day-to-day charge

• Educators, staff, volunteers, and students

• Family Day Care educators

This training has been developed by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Australian Centre for Child Protection, ensuring a nationally consistent, evidence-based approach to safeguarding children.

What this means for families

For families seeking a safe learning environment and quality early childhood education, this means:

All adults in your child’s environment share a consistent understanding of child safety

Educators are better equipped to identify, prevent, and respond to risks

Child safety practices are embedded across every level of a service, not just leadership

At Elementary Academy, ongoing professional development is already a core part of how we deliver high-quality childcare in Merrylands.

Stronger Child-Safe Recruitment and Employment Laws (NSW)

New legislative requirements under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations (NSW) are now being introduced to strengthen child-safe recruitment and ongoing employment practices. These changes align with the NSW Child Safe Standards, which all ECEC services must already follow.

Provisions now in effect

• Educators and staff must notify their approved provider within 72 hours if there is:

  • A change to their Working with Children Check

  • A refusal or cancellation of clearance

  • A change to professional registration or accreditation

• Penalties now apply if false or misleading information is provided during recruitment or employment. This includes information related to:

  • Suspension notices

  • Supervision notices

  • Prohibition notices

Upcoming requirements

• Regulation 168(2)(i)(ia) and (i)(ib)Services must make ongoing, reasonable enquiries about a person’s suitability before and during employment. This includes regular checks for:

  • Suspension or supervision notices

  • Prohibition notices

  • Enforceable undertakings

What this means for families

These changes provide families with stronger reassurance that:

Educators working with your child remain suitable over time, not just at recruitment

Services are legally required to actively monitor staff suitability

Transparency and accountability are now embedded into employment practices

This directly supports child safety in childcare and strengthens trust in preschool education in Merrylands and across NSW.

National Early Childhood Worker Register (From 27 February 2026)

The National Early Childhood Worker Register is being developed by Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) through the National Quality Agenda IT System (NQA ITS).

The register will be nationally rolled out and mandated from 27 February 2026.

What is the register?

The register will provide a nationally consistent record of early childhood workers, improving information sharing across states and territories.

What this means for families

For families, this is a significant step forward:

Greater oversight of the early childhood workforce

Reduced risk of unsuitable individuals moving between services undetected

Increased national consistency in child safety standards

It reinforces the integrity of the sector and strengthens protections for children in childcare and preschool settings.

What This Means at Elementary Academy

At Elementary Academy, these updates reflect the direction we already take as a family-oriented, professional preschool in Merrylands. Under the leadership of an experienced Early Childhood Education professional, we prioritise:

• Proactive child-safe recruitment practices

• Ongoing educator training and compliance

• Strong alignment with the National Quality Framework (NQF) and EYLF

• Transparent partnerships with families

For parents, these reforms mean even greater confidence that your child is learning and growing in a safe, nurturing, and high-quality early learning environment.

Looking for a Preschool in Merrylands You Can Trust?

If you’re seeking childcare in Merrylands that goes beyond minimum standards and truly prioritises safety, wellbeing, and school readiness, we’d love to welcome your family.