Helping families choose safe early education with confidence

In response to recent national coverage highlighting misconduct in early education settings, many families are reassessing how they choose care for their children.

While such incidents are deeply concerning, they also highlight the importance of clear standards, strong oversight, and informed decision-making for families navigating early learning options.

To support parents and carers during this time, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has developed a practical checklist to help guide conversations with early education providers. The resource focuses on key areas including child safety, staff qualifications, supervision practices, and communication with families.

The checklist is designed to empower families with the right questions to ask and the confidence to expect transparency and accountability, regardless of which provider they choose.

“We know trust is everything when it comes to early education,” said Heather Mayne, Executive Manager of St Joseph’s Family Services. “Families should feel confident their child is safe, supported and cared for by qualified, attentive educators.”

The initiative reflects a broader commitment to supporting families beyond service delivery, ensuring they feel informed and equipped to make the best decisions for their children.