UPDATE: A childcare centre in Morayfield, Queensland, has been slapped with a hefty $13,500 fine after a shocking incident where a three-year-old child escaped not once, but twice in a single day. The incident, which occurred on August 4, 2023, raised serious concerns over child safety and supervision protocols.
According to a ruling from Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on Monday, the child was able to climb a perimeter fence and venture onto a busy road without staff realizing they were missing for nearly 30 minutes. A concerned member of the public spotted the child wandering between lanes of traffic and returned them safely to the daycare.
However, the situation escalated when the child managed to climb the same fence again and escape for a second time. This alarming lack of supervision prompted the Department of Education to take legal action against Day One Early Learning Centre, citing their failure to adequately monitor children and prevent unauthorized exits from the premises.
The court’s judgment highlighted the serious nature of the offences, which could have resulted in severe injury or even death. Magistrate Julian Noud indicated that the centre was aware of the risks associated with the fence but had chosen to manage those risks through insufficient supervision, ultimately leading to this grave oversight.
In a related case, Busy Bees childcare centre in Coorparoo faced a similar fate, being fined $12,500 after staff lost track of a five-year-old for up to 20 minutes. The child had traversed two streets near Coorparoo Square before being located, having exited through a fire escape door. This incident also underlined the ongoing issues with child supervision in care settings.
The Early Childhood Regulatory Authority has stated they will continue to work with childcare providers to ensure they understand their critical responsibilities in supervising children and maintaining safety standards.
This developing situation raises urgent questions about child safety protocols in childcare facilities across Queensland and highlights the dire need for strengthened regulations to protect vulnerable children. As investigations continue, parents and guardians are urged to remain vigilant about the safety measures in place at their children’s care facilities.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
