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:
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Lost or left behind during excursions or transitions
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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:
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Headcounts and Attendance Checks: Mandatory headcounts during transitions, excursions, and throughout the day to ensure no child is left behind.
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Supervision Protocols: Clear expectations for active supervision, including staff positioning, scanning, and engagement—not passive observation.
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Handover Procedures: Secure and documented handovers between staff, especially during shift changes or when children move between rooms.
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Physical Environment Checks: Regular inspections of indoor and outdoor areas to prevent children from being accidentally locked in or wandering off.
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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
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The guidance also reinforces the importance of trauma-informed practice:
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Avoid forced isolation or punitive “quiet time.”
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Respect children’s emotional needs during transitions and rest periods
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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