We, the undersigned early childhood educators, parents, and concerned community members, strongly oppose the implementation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance in child care centres.

We believe that the use of CCTV in early learning environments is an unacceptable breach of trust, privacy, and professional integrity and is not a solution to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse.

Our objections are grounded in the following serious concerns:

1. Data Safety and Privacy Risks
The introduction of CCTV systems introduces significant risks around data security. Video footage of young children and educators is highly sensitive, and no system can guarantee full protection against data breaches, unauthorised access, or misuse. With increasing incidents of cybercrime, we have no confidence that this data can be kept safe from leaks, hacking, or inappropriate distribution.

2. Breakdown of Trust and Professional Respect
Installing surveillance cameras sends a clear message that educators are not trusted to do their jobs professionally and ethically. This undermines the very foundation of our profession, which relies on trust, reflective practice, and open communication. CCTV fosters a culture of monitoring and suspicion, not one of collaboration, growth, or respect.

3. Misleading Claims of Safety
There is no credible evidence that CCTV systems prevent or reduce incidents of child abuse. In fact, surveillance can create a false sense of security. Children’s safety is best ensured through strong leadership, rigorous recruitment and supervision practices, transparent policies, and nurturing relationships—not constant surveillance.

4. CCTV Does Not Prevent Harm—It Observes It After the Fact
Camera footage does not protect children in real time. It does not stop incidents from occurring—it only captures them. Responding to a child protection concern after it has already happened is unacceptable. Prevention must be proactive, not reactive.

5. Risk of Sexualising and Objectifying Children
Recording young children throughout their daily routines—including during personal care routines—raises serious ethical concerns. Storing and managing footage of vulnerable children introduces the risk of inappropriate access or interpretation, which can lead to sexualisation or other forms of objectification. This is not only harmful, but deeply offensive to the values of early childhood education.

6. Emotional and Psychological Impact on Educators and Children
Constant surveillance creates a high-stress, performance-based environment where educators feel watched rather than supported. It can inhibit genuine interactions and lead to anxiety, burnout, and disengagement. Children may also feel unsettled or confused by the presence of cameras in what should be a safe and familiar environment.

We demand that decision-makers reconsider and halt any plans to implement CCTV in early childhood education settings. We call on governing bodies, approved providers, and child care centre leadership to engage in open, evidence-based discussions that truly prioritise the wellbeing of children and the professionalism of educators.

Let us protect children by building safer, more supportive environments—not by watching from a distance.