The United Workers Union (UWU) is calling for greater transparency and regulation in the early childhood education sector after it accused the industry of putting profits before children. In a new report (pdf), released prior to a union protest in Canberra, the UWU accused early childhood education providers of receiving significant levels of government support, particularly during COVID-19, while business executives received significant salaries. Its research into the $14 billion sector found that it is sustained through public funding, receiving $11 billion annually. Five private for-profit early childhood education centre (ECEC) businesses are growing exponentially, receiving 20 percent of the industry’s profits. “Stock market investors and foreign investment funds are now key players in Australian ECEC,” the report said. UWU said this “creeping commercialisation” was happening at the cost of quality care and education for the children. In 2020, G8 education, Australia’s largest for-profit ECEC, self-reported to the Fair Work …