How the childcare industry is placing children at risk | Four Corners documentary

This week on Four Corners, a one-hour special reveals the deep failures and systemic issues plaguing Australia’s childcare sector.  

With nearly one-and-a-half million children enrolled in childcare across the country, parents trust that their children will be safe and cared for.  

And while the glossy brochures and marketing paint a rosy picture, the reality of the system is far darker, and families are paying the price. 

Reporter Adele Ferguson uncovers shocking cases of child abuse, neglect, and injury, highlighting critical gaps in childcare safety and accountability.  

As the $20 billion industry grows, the focus on financial gain over child welfare has sparked a nationwide call for action.

Advocates warn that without immediate reform, the childcare industry will continue to put profit over children’s safety.

CHAPTERS

00:20 – A parent’s worst nightmare
04:10 – 20-billion-dollar sector
05:00 – Children at risk
07:16 – Affinity
08:42 – Money over care
12:50 – Regulation
17:16 – For-profit childcare centres
20:05 – Secrets
21:15 – Privileged documents
24:10 – 3 Bears
30:38 – Genius childcare
32:30 – Food budget
34:25 – Quality of workforce
35:22 – Working at a childcare centre
37:30 – Childcare crisis
38:10 – Fake qualifications
40:00 – Food budgets
42:40 – Ratings
46:45 – Jumpstart
47:50 – ‘House of horrors’
53:40 – Structural failures

Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

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