Why Childcare Centres in Queensland Must Be Proactive in Upgrading Their Security
In Queensland, the safety and wellbeing of children in care is facing heightened public and regulatory scrutiny. Recent disturbing incidents have triggered alarm among families and authorities, prompting swift calls for reform. Now is a pivotal time for childcare providers to proactively upgrade and future-proof security systems - delaying action risks non-compliance, reputational damage, and erosion of parent trust.
1. Anticipating legislative change
The Queensland Government is moving quickly, introducing reforms to bolster childcare safety - including mandatory annual safety training for all childcare staff, a landmark move aimed at strengthening early vigilance (Queensland sets national benchmark for childcare safety reform).
Meanwhile, federal reforms are underway to penalise non-compliant providers through funding suspension, after 30 childcare centres were found breaching safety standards. In Queensland, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek is also pushing for a national register of early childhood workers to prevent offenders moving undetected between states.
2. Enhancing child safety and incident response
Modern CCTV systems do much more than record footage. High-resolution imaging, real-time alerts, and remote monitoring enable staff to:
Identify and respond promptly to risks
Detect situations like unattended children or distress
Review footage for accurate incident reporting and follow-up
Their value is clear amid harrowing incidents. A Brisbane childcare worker was charged with torturing and repeatedly assaulting a baby, while in another case a staff member was convicted of assaulting toddlers but parents were only informed weeks later.
3. Building trust and confidence with families
In a climate of escalating concern, parents are seeking reassurance. Visible security measures like CCTV cameras and real-time alerts demonstrate transparency and proactive stewardship. Queensland’s Education Minister has warned against letting “monsters lurk in centres,” backing measures such as CCTV systems and mobile phone bans for staff.
By proactively investing in advanced security, centres reaffirm that child safety is the top priority, helping to regain trust in a competitive market.
4. Reducing liability and providing evidence
CCTV provides critical, unbiased evidence in disputes, investigations, or compliance matters. This is especially important given a Guardian investigation into thousands of abuse reports, which found many alleged perpetrators were allowed to continue working due to fragmented regulation and poor follow-up.
5. Maximising operational benefits
Upgraded surveillance isn’t just a safety tool, it can also enhance operations:
Monitor staff-to-child ratios across indoor and outdoor areas
Analyse playground or classroom layouts to improve supervision
Use captured footage to train staff in real-world scenarios
This dual role of safety and efficiency reinforces a centre’s overall resilience.
6. Future-proofing your facility
As regulations evolve, like the new reportable conduct scheme launching mid-2026, requiring staff to report serious misconduct to the Queensland Family and Child Commission (Childcare watchdog calls for stronger focus on safety) - security systems must be adaptable. Early adoption of scalable CCTV and monitoring solutions ensures providers won’t be playing catch-up.
The bottom line
Child safety isn’t just regulatory, it’s foundational. With Queensland advancing critical reform and the sector under scrutiny, providers must act now.
Investing in modern surveillance systems ensures compliance, strengthens reputations, restores public trust, and most importantly - protects the children in your care.
Discover how Childcare Security Services can help protect your centre and prepare for the changes ahead.