Safety First? Parental Concerns, Communication Preferences, and Perceived Adequacy of Safeguarding in Early Childhood Education and Care

Safeguarding in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia has gained increasing public and policy attention, particularly after widely reported abuse cases. Yet less is known about how parents and carers understand safety within ECEC services. Using quantitative survey data from 303 Australian parents and carers of young children, this exploratory study examines enrolment decision-making alongside perceptions of safeguarding risks, confidence in current practices, and expectations about communication. Comparative analysis explores differences between families with and without current experience of formal care. Findings show safety is a central factor in parental engagement with ECEC, alongside practical considerations such as location and proximity to services. Concerns focus mainly on supervision and staff conduct, while access to safeguarding information and confidence in services’ ability to prevent and respond to harm vary. The study offers insight into parental perspectives and implications for improving communication and safeguarding visibility across the sector.