From next year, families will notice a small change at their early childhood education and care (ECEC) service: on a handful of days each year, centres may close at 5pm to allow educators to complete mandatory child safety training.
While this may cause minor inconvenience for some families, the purpose is clear and important: strengthening child safety across the entire ECEC sector.
Here’s what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what it means for services and families.
Why will childcare centres close at 5pm?
The Federal Government has announced that early childhood education services will be allowed to close from 5pm on certain days to deliver mandatory child safety training to educators and staff.
This training is being written into the National Law for ECEC and is part of a broader national reform package focused on protecting children and strengthening safeguarding practices.
Importantly:
- Centres cannot close earlier than 5pm
- Closures are expected to occur on up to five days per year
- Families must be given plenty of notice
The intention is not to reduce care, but to ensure this essential training is completed properly, consistently, and face-to-face.
What is the mandatory child safety training?
The mandatory training is being developed by the Australian Centre for Child Protection and will begin rolling out from February.
The training is designed to help educators detect signs of abuse or harm, and strengthen understanding of when and how to report concerns. It’s vital that we build educators’ confidence so they feel they can step in and take appropriate action in a timely way, and ensure accurate reporting to keep children safe.
Early childhood educators are often the first to notice changes in children’s behaviour or wellbeing. This training ensures they are supported with the skills, knowledge and confidence to act when it matters most.
Why is this training being introduced now?
This reform is a direct response to serious and distressing incidents that have occurred within early childhood education settings.
As Minister for Education Jason Clare stated:
“There is nothing more important than our kids and keeping them safe.”
The Government has acknowledged that while the vast majority of educators do the right thing, systems and safeguards must be strong, consistent and mandatory across the sector.
To support services, the Albanese Government will invest up to $40 million annually from existing Child Care Subsidy expenditure to help centres manage these closures.
How will this affect families?
For families, the impact should be minimal and well-communicated.
Parents and carers of children in early learning may expect:
- Earlier pick-up (5pm) on a small number of days per year
- Plenty of notice so alternative arrangements can be made
- Confidence that educators are receiving essential, nationally consistent safety training
While it may require short-term planning, the long-term benefit is clear: stronger protection for children in care.
What does this mean for ECEC services?
For providers, this change means planning ahead, but it also brings clarity and consistency.
Services will need to ensure they:
-Schedule training days in advance
-Update calendars and policies
-Communicate clearly with families and staff
-Ensure compliance with the updated National Law requirements
Many services already invest heavily in professional development. This change formalises child safety training as a non-negotiable priority, supported by government funding and clear guidelines.
How does this fit into broader safety reforms?
Mandatory child safety training is just one part of a wider national safety reform package, which also includes:
- Trials of CCTV in up to 300 ECEC centres
- Testing of a National Register of ECEC workers
Together, these measures aim to strengthen oversight, accountability and child protection across the sector.
Supporting quality, safe early childhood education
Change can feel unsettling, especially when it affects families’ routines. But this is a measured, practical reform focused on children’s safety and wellbeing.
At Practical Outcomes, we work closely with educators and services to support high-quality, compliant and confident practice across early childhood education.
Clear communication, informed planning and ongoing professional learning all play a role in creating safe, trusted environments for children and families.
Short-term inconvenience for the long-term safety of children in early childhood education services is a change worth making.
