The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s response to Four Corners investigation of abuse in early childhood sector

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is deeply concerned about the abuse, neglect, and systemic failures exposed by ABC’s Four Corners recent reporting on Australia’s childcare sector.

Every child has the right to feel safe and supported - especially in environments designed for their learning, care and development. With over 1.4 million children enrolled in ECEC Services, it is unacceptable that gaps in safety and quality continue to place young children at risk.

High quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) must be built on a foundation of safety, wellbeing and trauma-informed practice. Research shows that early childhood experiences have profound, long-term impacts on a child’s development, shaping their health, education, and wellbeing outcomes.

The vast majority of ECEC centres and educators centre the needs of the children in their care, however there is clearly more work to help keep children safe.

A trauma-informed approach benefits all children, educators and families by supporting wellbeing and responding to children’s behaviours related to trauma, adversity, school readiness, and other transitions.

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation has long advocated for policies and practices that prioritise children’s safety and wellbeing.

In 2023, the Foundation piloted a new approach to embedding trauma-informed practice in early childhood education and care. Collaborating with ECEC service providers and cross-sector partners, the pilot tested a practical, affordable, and accessible way to strengthen trauma-informed capability in ECEC settings - creating immediate benefits for children and educators while ensuring long-term sustainability.

One of the key outcomes from the pilot, in collaboration with Monash University's Health and Social Care Unit (HSCU), was the development of the Trauma-Informed Practice: A Guide for Early Childhood Organisations (TIO Practice Guide).

From the participants who took part in the pilot, 86% found the TIO Practice Guide useful, with 50% reporting it had already led to strengthened trauma informed approaches in their organisation, and 93% feeling it could lead to this.

Burnout among early childhood educators in Australia is a significant concern. We know that supported and empowered educators create safe supportive environments for children.

The TIO Practice Guide is an invaluable resource and is available to download free of charge, helping equip early childhood organisations to integrate trauma-informed approaches into their operations, providing a pathway to better outcomes for all children, families and the workforce.

The benefits of implementing trauma-informed practice in early childhood education include understanding and interpreting challenging behaviours, creating safe environments, building trusting relationships, promoting emotional regulation, fostering resilience, and empowering children.

Trauma-informed practices also minimise the risk of re-traumatisation and encourage parent and community engagement, leading to positive long-term outcomes.

“Early childhood educators and organisations have a critical role to play in reducing harm and fostering safe environments where children can thrive. By embedding trauma-informed practice in early learning education and care, we can ensure that every child - regardless of their circumstances - receives the support, understanding and safety they need to reach their full potential.

Our hope is that this approach becomes a national reality, creating lasting change for children and the educators who support them every day”, shared Sarah Davies AM, CEO at the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

The Foundation supports governments, Early Years regulator, and the childcare sector in taking immediate action to strengthen protections, embed trauma-informed approaches, and ensure that no child is left at risk.

Children’s safety must always come first.

Learn more about our trauma informed practice guide here.