A major inquiry has been initiated by the New South Wales (NSW) upper house committee in response to alarming findings regarding safety and regulatory failures in the childcare sector.

The decision follows a comprehensive investigation aired by a public broadcaster that revealed significant issues predominantly among large for-profit childcare providers.

The inquiry, which received unanimous support from the committee members, will scrutinize the performance of the NSW regulatory body, with concerns raised by experts regarding its efficacy.

Chaired by Greens MP Abigail Boyd, the inquiry's scope includes evaluating the health and safety protocols for children, the overall quality of childcare services, and the employment conditions for the workforce.

The recent investigative report has prompted numerous insiders and whistleblowers to come forward, expressing deep concern about the current state of childcare services in Australia and their impact on families.

Boyd commented on the heightened public demand for accountability and transparency in the system, emphasizing that trust in childcare facilities is crucial for families.

Public submissions to the inquiry will remain open until the end of May, with public hearings scheduled for August, September, and October across Sydney and regional areas of NSW.

The inquiry is designed to uncover the underlying issues contributing to the increasing number of harmful incidents in childcare centres and to advocate for necessary reforms in the sector.

In conjunction with the inquiry, the NSW childcare regulator has released a collection of documents in compliance with a parliamentary mandate.

Among these documents were details regarding the 3 Bears childcare group, which has been in the spotlight for numerous breaches.

Records indicate that the group has tallied over 360 notices of violation since 2010, failing to meet minimal national quality standards.

The regulator's actions culminated in the closure of the three centres owned by Dinh Trang, who has contested the accusations in legal proceedings.

Additional documents unveiled breach notices relating to Angel's Paradise childcare facility in Revesby, which has faced 28 compliance issues since its inception in 2013. This centre, evaluated as requiring significant improvement, was highlighted for inadequate child supervision, a lack of essential working-with-children checks among staff, and hygienic deficiencies.

Following serious allegations that children were left unsupervised and eating scraps from the floor, this centre was closed down in September 2024.

The inquiry's broad investigative powers will enable it to subpoena senior executives from childcare companies, parents, and various experts to provide testimony.

This shift follows a recent internal inquiry announced by the NSW government regarding the regulatory bodies involved, perceived by some as an attempt to mitigate the impact of the parliamentary inquiry.

Boyd has indicated the necessity of releasing pertinent documents related to these investigations to the public, warning that the details reveal a dire need for reform in the childcare sector, alleging widespread malpractice within facilities aiming to maximize profit at the expense of quality care.

Accusations include serving inadequate meals, employing unqualified staff, and imposing financial performance targets that potentially jeopardize child welfare.