Four Corners exposed childcare again. The reforms didn’t touch the thing that’s broken

Key points

• Commentators argue that childcare safety reforms have not addressed the core problems in early childhood education. Government figures show more compliance actions and a rise in services meeting national quality standards.
• However, staff waivers remain in use, educators are poorly paid, and about 70 per cent of services are now for-profit. Minister Jess Walsh says the reforms are on track and that 120 services have been put on notice.
• The writers call for a complete overhaul of the system.