Regulator Issues Clear Guidance To Providers On Not Losing, Leaving Or Locking Up Children In Care

The federal childcare regulator has issued clear guidance to operators in response to a surge in serious incidents—particularly involving children being lost, left behind, or locked in rooms in response to a spike in safety breaches across the sector.

The reminder comes amid a 50% increase in serious incidents reported in childcare settings, including cases where children were:

• Lost or left behind during excursions or transitions

• Locked in rooms or outdoor areas due to poor supervision or procedural lapses

• These incidents have prompted the regulator to issue clear guidance to operators, reinforcing basic safeguarding protocols such as
  • Accurate headcounts
  • Secure handover procedures
  • Staff training on supervision and emergency response

While the full document isn’t publicly quoted, based on recent reports and sector commentary, the guidance likely includes the following key directives:

• Headcounts and Attendance Checks: Mandatory headcounts during transitions, excursions, and throughout the day to ensure no child is left behind.

• Supervision Protocols: Clear expectations for active supervision, including staff positioning, scanning, and engagement—not passive observation.

• Handover Procedures: Secure and documented handovers between staff, especially during shift changes or when children move between rooms.

• Physical Environment Checks: Regular inspections of indoor and outdoor areas to prevent children from being accidentally locked in or wandering off.

• Emergency Response Training: Staff must be trained to respond immediately if a child is missing, including notifying authorities and families.

Services are expected to:

• Maintain accurate records of child attendance and staff rosters
  
  
• Review and update risk assessments regularly
  
  
• Ensure all staff understand and follow supervision policies

• The guidance also reinforces the importance of trauma-informed practice:

  • Avoid forced isolation or punitive “quiet time.”

  • Respect children’s emotional needs during transitions and rest periods

This guidance is part of a broader push to restore trust and accountability in the sector, especially following high-profile incidents and executive resignations. 

The regulator’s intervention signals a shift toward proactive enforcement, especially as public trust in large providers is shaken by recent scandals.

Reference:
Regulator Reminds Childcare Operators How Not To Lose, Leave or Lock Up Kids