CAPE-AU Blog by Kristi McVee

How Australia's childcare sector became a hunting ground for predators australia body safety child abuse prevention child protection child safety child sexual abuse prevention childcare abuse childcare australia childcare reform childcare safety early childhood education early learning educators grooming grooming behaviours mandatory reporting parents protective behaviours working with children check Jul 24, 2026

For years, every time a childcare worker has been charged with offending against children in their care, the public conversation has followed the same script: shock, outrage, calls for "better vetting," and then silence - until it happens again.

It’s a reasonable response but I don't think that scrip...

Former child abuse detective Kristi McVee explains what the Hamish Tait childcare case teaches parents and early childhood providers about child safety, grooming behaviours, safeguarding, and protecting children through better systems and conversations.

"He Seemed So Normal": What the Hamish Tait Case Should Teach Every Parent and Provider body safety child abuse prevention child grooming child protection child safety child sexual abuse prevention childcare recruitment childcare safety early childhood education early childhood providers early learning centres educator training grooming behaviours hamish tait hamish tait childcare case keeping children safe mandatory reporting online safety protecting children protective behaviours risk management safeguarding children Jul 16, 2026

By now you've probably seen the headlines. A childcare worker in Sydney, now publicly named after a court-ordered suppression was lifted, is facing over 300 charges relating to the sexual abuse and exploitation of children across more than 60 early education centres, spanning 16 years of employment....

When a child discloses unsafe touch at DayCare: a step-by-step guide for responding to sexualised behaviours for educators body safety education child on child abuse child safety childcare disclose disclosure educators guide harmful mandatory reporting protective interruption unsafe unsafe behaviours Sep 08, 2025

Every educator dreads it.

A child whispers: “They touched me on my private parts.”
Or you see two children in a situation that crosses boundaries.

It can be awkward. It’s often confronting and it can feel overwhelming if you don't know how to handle it.

But here’s what I want you to remember: yo...

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