The absolute minimum a parent should expect when dropping off their child at an early childhood education and care centre is that their child will be cared for and safe. But according to shocking allegations, reported on Tuesday, that basic expectation may not have been met for at least some children in Victorian childcare centres.

One educator has been charged with 70 offences, including the sexual penetration of a child under 12, and a range of other serious sexual offences. The known alleged victims are aged between just five months and two years old.

More than 1,200 families have now been advised to have their children tested for infectious diseases due to potential contact with the accused.

It is horrifying. It defies belief. But while this case is still to go through the court process and the accused has yet to enter a plea, many of us already thought that the childcare sector was in crisis. The question is: what are we doing about it?

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