A Perth early childhood service was fined $15,000 after a 2-year-old boy was locked inside the outdoor shed while looking for play equipment.
The early learning service said that the situation was "unique" as the Educator had followed proper protocols by searching the shed prior to locking it but a second Educator had reopened the shed a second time to place toys inside. The child had entered within seconds before the second Educator locked the shed.
The toddler was found when their siblings were waiting for them and an Educator located the boy inside the hot shed. It is understood that the child was only inside for a maximum of 15 minutes before being found.
The incident took place on March 7, 2023 with the tribunal fining the company a $15,000 penalty and was also ordered to pay $2,000 in legal costs within 30 days.
Further Reading
Active Supervision In Early Childhood Settings - The following article provides information on the different aspects of supervision, ranging from regulatory requirements and principles to practice strategies.
Reference:
MercyCare Early Learning Service: Perth Childcare Fined After Toddler Trapped In Hot Shed, News Australia, 13th January 2024
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