Goodstart Childcare leads Adelaide CCTV rollout as Minister reacts to Victorian centre man ban

A major South Australian childcare provider is preparing to equip all 51 of its centres with cameras as the Education Minister looks at whether its use should be made mandatory.

A major South Australian childcare provider is already preparing to equip all its centres with CCTV as the Education Minister looks at whether its use should be made mandatory.

Goodstart Early Learning — Australia’s largest not-for-profit childcare provider — is moving ahead with plans to install surveillance cameras across all of its centres as part of a broader push to strengthen child safety.

It’s understood so far 13 of their 51 centres in SA currently have CCTV, with the rest to be fitted out over the coming years.

The move comes amid national scrutiny following horrific child abuse allegations in Victoria, which have prompted urgent responses from governments across the country.

But Goodstart says CCTV is just one small part of the picture when it comes to protecting children, with active supervision by qualified staff being the real key to keeping kids safe.

The provider began trialling cameras in 2022 and has since made installation standard in all new centres.

But a full rollout could take several more years to complete due to high costs.

“When the systems are installed, we do so with strict privacy controls in place,” a spokeswoman said.

“Cameras are placed in learning spaces including sleep rooms and outdoor play spaces, carparks and exterior of the building, entry and reception areas, hallways and kitchens.”

Staff and union consultation was part of the trial process, and families are formally notified ahead of any installation.

While the provider acknowledges CCTV has a role to play, it’s warning governments will need to consider how they’ll fund a national program to support its wider rollout, citing not just the upfront costs, but also the expense of secure data storage and ongoing monitoring.

It comes as SA Education Minister Blair Boyer seeks urgent advice on making CCTV mandatory in childcare centres, fast-tracking a phone ban, adopting a educators register, and giving regulators stronger powers to alert families when concerns are raised.

“Many centres already do it, with Goodstart Early Learning Centres rolling out CCTV three years ago and continuing to add more as centres are upgraded or refurbished,” Mr Boyer said.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said putting cameras in centres could help deter abuse, and confirmed education ministers would meet next month to thrash out a national approach to CCTV in early learning settings.

Federal education minister Jason Clare. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

SA Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Boyer also responded to reports that some Victorian centres have banned male educators from nappy changes or toileting duties in the wake of the scandal.

“I appreciate the sentiment of people wanting to suggest ways to improve safety in light of the horrific incident out of Victoria, but I don’t think banning men is a long term solution,” he said.

“We need strong male role models for young people and I know as Education Minister we are crying out for more male teachers in primary schools.”

Opposition education spokeswoman Heidi Girolamo said the SA government needed to work closely with providers to ensure any changes are effective and appropriate.

“If used appropriately, CCTV can be one tool to support transparency and accountability in childcare settings,” she said.

“It’s important the Government works with providers to ensure strong safeguards are in place, and that all centres have access to the tools they need to protect children.”