PeakCare Queensland has appointed Estelle Abela as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective 29 January 2026. PeakCare said Ms Abela brings senior leadership experience across the child and family services sector and will provide continuity and executive oversight during a significant period for the organisation and the broader sector.
Access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is central to children’s development, family wellbeing and community prosperity. In a significant joint commitment, the Albanese and Malinauskas governments have announced a major expansion of early learning infrastructure in regional South Australia, delivering new and expanded services where families need them most.
Australia’s early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is once again in the spotlight as ASX‑listed Embark Early Education Limited (ASX: EVO) presses ahead with an off‑market takeover bid for Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX: MFD), triggering a strong public response from the Mayfield board.
As 2026 begins, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia are preparing for a year of substantial reform, focused on strengthening child safety and raising the bar on national standards. Following a series of agreements by Education Ministers in 2025, new changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Education and Care Services National Law will take effect progressively throughout the year. These reforms reflect the shared commitment of educators, families, communities and governments to place child safety and wellbeing at the centre of early learning environments.
