'Nowhere to hide': Dodgy childcare centres named and shamed

Education Minister Simon Birmingham insists dodgy childcare operators now have nowhere to hide after a national name and shame file was published.

Children play with toys at a preschool in Canberra

Dodgy childcare centres will now be listed on a national register, the federal government says. Source: AAP

Shonky childcare centres caught out rorting taxpayer subsidies and committing other rule breaches have been listed on a public national shame register.

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said dodgy operators now had nowhere to hide.

"This register should serve as a warning to providers that if you're non-compliant and do the wrong thing you will be hung out to dry," Senator Birmingham said.

In 2016-17, the Education Department issued 141 sanctions and immediate cancellations of taxpayer subsidies.

The majority of cases involved family day care services, with fraud the most common breach.

The register will be updated every three months.

The government carried out 3800 compliance checks in 2016-17.

Acting opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said parents and families had a right to know their children were getting the best possible care.

"When centres aren't abiding by strict guidelines to provide a safe and supportive environment for our children, it is completely appropriate they no longer receive government support," she said.

 


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Published 6 January 2018 12:40pm
Updated 6 January 2018 8:17pm


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