This report provides an overview of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in New South Wales (NSW), including issues relating to safety, quality, workforce, regulatory framework, data collection and the experiences of children with disability. The report details evidence suggesting the system is under strain and is failing many children, families and educators. 

Key recommendations for the NSW Government 

• Advocate for and participate in the creation of a National Early Childhood Education and Care Commission.
• Funding should be directed towards services in areas where there is a relative scarcity of high quality services.
• Develop and introduce a policy about the composition of the early childhood education and care sector, with a view to reducing large for-profit providers.
• Take action to increase transparency around the role of the real estate sector in the ECEC sector.
• Call on the Australian Government to fully investigate other models of public funding as an alternative to the current ECEC funding mechanisms. 
• Work with relevant unions to address workforce attraction and retention challenges in the ECEC sector.
• Strengthen regulation and oversight mechanisms in the ECEC sector.
• Ensure all staff in ECEC receive adequate training to support children with disability or additional needs, including children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.