At a Sydney childcare centre, a toddler went missing for up to 10 minutes before staff were alerted via a headcount. Due to this incident, the childcare operators have been fined $14,000.
A member of the community, found the little boy headed towards Hombusg Bay Drive and returned him back to the centre.
Magistrate Alison Viney said, "Clearly on this occasion, the centre did not protect (the boy) as they should have, the potential for harm to come to him was significant".
It's not the first incident involving the provider, which has more than 70 centres across the nation.
In 2016 it was officially cautioned for a similar incident and in 2017 it was fined more than $5,500 for multiple charges of failing to follow policies and procedures as well as failing to protect children.
Reference:
Sydney Childcare Centre Fined $14,000 After Toddler Went Missing, Channel Nine News, 4 March 2020
As of 2024–2025, new national regulations across Australia have significantly tightened restrictions on smoking and vaping in and around early childhood education and care (ECEC)
In early childhood education and care, child safety is more than a policy—it’s a daily commitment to creating environments where children feel protected, respected, and
The Australian Government Department of Education has engaged ORIMA Research to conduct an online ECEC Staff Survey. By collecting this data over time, the Department
Australian Food Safety Week offers a vital opportunity to embed safe food practices into early learning environments. This year’s theme invites educators and children to