A new report has been released that highlights the grim side of early childhood centres.

The Ministry of Education is being told its release of complaints against early childhood centres made in 2016 is information that's too little, too late.

A record 163 complaints were upheld, up from 104 in 2015.

They include an incident of a teacher who did nothing for months when a child said they were being sexually abused and another where neither an ambulance or parents were called when a child broke their leg.

There was also an incident where four children were hit by a falling tree in Auckland.

Child Forum chief executive Dr Sarah Alexander told Kate Hawkesby the media reported that, which prompted centres to check their trees.

"You know and that was valuable information, that is the sort of information that the ministry should be putting out after each complaint has been investigated and found to be upheld, you know instead it's only just released it's 2016 information."

Alexander says it appears there is too much room for cowboy operators.

"Anyone can open an early childhood service, once it is licensed it is licensed for life, it is unlike a car, a car has to go and get checked, a warrant of fitness every year."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DR SARAH ALEXANDER TALKS TO KATE HAWKESBY