2 months ago
5
A childcare centre north of Brisbane has been fined $13,500 after a three-year-old climbed a fence and escaped onto a busy road, with staff failing to realise the child was missing for nearly half an hour.
Day One Early Learning Centre in Morayfield was handed the fine in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on Monday in relation to the incident on August 4, 2023.
The court heard the child climbed a perimeter fence and left the centre unnoticed for around 30 minutes.
The centre in Morayfield was fined $13,500 for the incident in 2023. Credit: The Age
A member of the public spotted the child in the middle of a busy road between two lanes of traffic and returned them to the centre. Staff were not aware the child had been missing.
After being returned to the centre, the child climbed the same fence and escaped for a second time.
Loading
The Department of Education took legal action against Day One Early Learning for failing to adequately supervise children at all times and ensure children did not leave the premises.
The department was awarded $2000 in costs and the Magistrates Court said the $13,500 fine reflected the seriousness of the offences, which could result in serious injury or death.
The extended period of the child’s absence and staff’s lack of awareness that they were missing were also accounted for.
Magistrate Julian Noud said the centre was aware of the risks posed by the fence, but chose to manage those risks through increased supervision, which ultimately failed.
Busy Bees childcare centre at Coorparoo was ordered to pay a similar fine to the state’s regulatory authority in late October, after staff lost a five-year-old for up to 20 minutes in 2023.
The centre was not aware the boy had gone missing until his mother arrived to collect him.
They later learnt the boy, who had crossed two streets near Coorparoo Square shopping centre before being found on Old Cleveland Road, had left through a fire escape door.
It was not the first time he had tried to escape.
The centre was ordered to pay $12,500 to the department.
The Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, which oversees care services, said they will continue to work with the sector to ensure providers understand their critical responsibility to supervise children and ensure their safety.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
