Predators able to abuse children due to systemic weaknesses in NSW childcare, inquiry finds

Abigail Boyd, who chaired the inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, said the industry was ‘in crisis’. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

Systemic weaknesses in New South Wales’ childcare sector have allowed predators to work in the industry and abuse children, a scathing inquiry has found.

In its final report, published on Wednesday, a NSW upper house inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector found “the proliferation of for-profit services and a lax regulatory approach” had led to “predators” being allowed to work in childcare and abuse children.