27 September 2023

Childcare incident sparks safety warning

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The Department of Communities has reminded childcare service providers of the importance of effective supervision of children in their care.

In a statement, the Department said the warning came after Wanslea Early Learning and Development Limited, trading as Wanslea Beaconsfield Outside School Hours Care, was ordered to pay $12,000, and $1,000 towards costs, by the State Administrative Tribunal.

The Department said the Tribunal found Wanslea had contravened the Education and Care Service National Law (WA) Act, following an incident in February.

It said in addition, Wanslea was ordered to pay $1,000 for contravention of the Education and Care Services National Regulations for failing to follow its own emergency procedures for the same incident.

The Department said the penalty represented the maximum possible under the national regulations for this contravention.

It said a Department of Communities investigation found that on 22 February, a four-year-old boy left the service unsupervised and unnoticed by staff.

The Department said the child was last sighted by staff between approximately 5.10pm and 5.15pm, and was only found to be missing at around 5.30pm, during a headcount.

It said police were not alerted to the missing child until 5.52pm, following a management instruction to not contact the police in contravention of the approved provider’s emergency procedures.

“The child was found by one of his parents at the front of their home at about 6pm,” the Department said.

“He had been found wandering the streets by an unknown adult female and male.

“The child would have had to cross a number of roads, including a busy dual carriageway, to reach the house.

“The child was missing from the service for between 35 and 50 minutes.”

Deputy Director General, Governance, Intelligence and Reform, at the Department, Catherine Stoddart said the outcome should serve as a warning to providers in the childcare industry.

“Being approved to operate a childcare service in Western Australia carries with it significant responsibilities and obligations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children enrolled at the childcare service,” Professor Stoddart said.

“It is important that childcare providers review their supervision policies and practices to ensure they are adequate and meet the individual needs of all children enrolled,” she said.

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