Inside Australia’s daycare industry: One educator speaks out about what parents don’t see.
An early childhood educator who worked across three states reveals the hidden pressures inside Australia’s daycare system - from poor hygiene to staff burnout - and why they believe families deserve more choice and transparency.
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Childcare centres promise safe, nurturing, and educational havens for young children. But for one early childhood educator who has worked across New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia, the reality behind those glossy brochures is often far more troubling.
After a decade on the frontline, this educator has come to a stark conclusion: they would never put their own child into daycare.
“I’ve seen too much from the inside,” they told Lady News, their voice heavy with exhaustion and frustration. “I don’t think most parents realise what’s actually happening day to day.”
Daycare as the ‘new village’ — or just a business?
In today’s Australia, daycare centres have stepped into the role once held by extended families and tight-knit communities. For many parents, they are the new village — places where children first learn to share, play, and build bonds, while parents find connection and support amid the juggle of modern life.
But behind that comforting image lies a system increasingly shaped by business concerns, not children’s needs.
“Most centres are run as businesses first and foremost,” the educator said. “Decisions get made with profit in mind, not what’s best for the kids. It’s about ticking boxes and keeping rooms full, not genuinely nurturing each child.”
The word “village” conjures trust and relationships — but too often, families are simply buying a service.
High turnover, exhausted staff — and children missing out
One of the most pressing issues is the relentless churn of staff. Many centres operate with a revolving door of casuals and part-timers, leaving children without the consistency they desperately need.
“Kids miss out on forming secure attachments with trusted adults,” the educator explained. “When staff are exhausted or quitting, there’s no way to provide the emotional safety children need to thrive.”
The emotional toll on educators is palpable.
“It’s a brutal, intense job with nowhere near enough support. The burnout is real.”
Supervision gaps and stretched ratios
While regulations mandate strict staff-to-child ratios, the educator says reality often falls short.
“Ratios get stretched constantly — during meal breaks, sick days, or when educators are swamped with paperwork,” they said. “You never really know who is looking after your child. It’s whoever is available, not always someone they know or trust.” Babies, the most vulnerable, suffer most. “They might get fed and changed, but the close, consistent emotional care they need? Often, that’s missing. It’s heartbreaking.”
Rushed hygiene and dismissed complaints
Hygiene is another hidden casualty of understaffing.
“We’re supposed to disinfect toys, bedding, surfaces every day, but there just isn’t time. Parents assume everything is spotless, but it rarely is.”
Meanwhile, parents’ concerns can be sidelined.
“Directors focus on compliance, not whether a child feels safe or cared for. Complaints get dismissed if ratios were technically met.”
The difficult conversation about male educators
The educator also shared candid reflections on the role of men in childcare — a conversation rarely had openly.
“To be honest, any time I worked with a male educator, my first thought was always: what makes you want to nurture, change nappies, and be emotionally available to infants for such low pay?” they said.
“It’s not an easy job mentally or physically, especially for men, and there’s not much reward or recognition.”
“I always wondered, what are you really getting out of this? It’s not that men can’t be caring — some absolutely are — but these roles demand a level of vulnerability and emotional labour that most men aren’t encouraged to develop.”
“It made me question deeper motivations. And I think we need to be able to have that conversation without immediately shutting it down.”
What does the UN say about childcare?
Globally, childcare is recognised as a fundamental right. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates that children of working parents should have access to safe, nurturing childcare that supports their development.
The UN stresses that childcare must be both a child’s right and a key part of enabling gender equality by supporting parents — especially women — to participate in the workforce.
But it also warns: poor-quality childcare can cause real harm to children’s wellbeing.
“The UN says childcare is a right and a vital part of development,” the educator said. “But so much of what I’ve seen falls short. It’s not enough to have places for kids to go — it has to be genuinely good care.”
While childcare is hailed as the backbone of women’s workforce participation and gender equality, experts warn that poor-quality or unsafe childcare risks undermining those very goals. The United Nations stresses that childcare must protect children’s rights and wellbeing, not just enable economic productivity. As the educator argues, parents shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their jobs and keeping their children safe.
“It’s a false choice,” they said. “We can’t talk about gender equality without talking about quality and safety in childcare.”
Should parents have more choice?
Despite these warnings, the educator is quick to praise many colleagues doing their best under immense pressure. But they believe parents deserve real alternatives — options that reflect the unique needs of every child and family.
Currently, Australia’s Child Care Subsidy overwhelmingly favours centre-based care. Although there have been moves to support alternatives — such as the In-Home Care program for families with complex needs — broad access to subsidies for nannies, au pairs, or small home-based care remains limited.
Research backs the call for flexibility. A 2016 Australian Institute of Family Studies report found children in home-based care often receive more individual attention and stronger attachment. Harvard research highlights stable, responsive relationships as critical to early brain development.
“Imagine if parents could use their subsidy in a way that truly suits their child, not just the system,” the educator said. “It would give families real choice and children the care they deserve.”
If daycare is the new village, this educator argues, it’s a village running on minimum wages, stretched staff, and a tension between business interests and children’s needs. The real question is whether policymakers and parents are ready to build a village that genuinely puts children first.
Recommendations: Building a Safer Village for Children
While the educator’s account paints a worrying picture, it also points to a way forward. Policymakers have the tools to ensure childcare genuinely serves children’s rights and gender equality.
Key recommendations include expanding the Child Care Subsidy to support:
In-home care, without the current strict eligibility barriers
Registered nannies and au pairs
Small-scale family day care or micro-centres with low child-to-educator ratios
This would empower families to choose care that fits their child’s temperament, age, and family circumstances.
At the same time, governments must lift standards and conditions across all childcare settings by introducing:
Minimum training requirements for all carers, including nannies
Mandatory child safety checks and accreditation
Regular inspections and quality support for all providers
A national educator wage floor to reduce burnout and turnover
Above all, reform must centre children’s wellbeing first, not just workforce participation.
“Imagine if we funded relationships, not just ratios, that’s how you build a real village.
After all, a safe childhood equates to a safe society. Isn’t that what we all want?