The reality of Australia's childcare industry has the makings of every parent's worst nightmare: a system designed to educate and protect children is being used as a hunting ground for predators.

Loopholes in the industry's safeguards and regulatory frameworks have created a perfect storm for abuse to thrive.

Parents and guardians believe these national guidelines are keeping their children safe at child care, but our Four Corners investigation has found that they aren't always reliable.

There are steps parents can take to put their minds at ease and check their kids are safe when in the care of these facilities.

Before we do, a warning: this story contains themes of child sexual abuse.

It is confronting reading, but it is important we don't turn away from it. Our children are countin

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