Early learning centre and OSHC service fined after children abscond
In the latest enforcement actions released by the Western Australia Department of Communities, an early learning service and an outside school hours care (OSHC) service have been fined for breaching the National Law when children have been found in a location other than the service.
The children aged three and seven years of age made their way either home or to a parent’s workplace located nearby before being missed from the services.
The early learning service, located in Broome, has been fined $2,000 for the contravention of section 165(1), which states that all children being educated and cared for by the service must be adequately supervised at all times. The service has also been asked to pay $1,000 toward the Department’s legal costs.
The OSHC service, located in Clarkson, north of Perth, has been fined $9,000 for contravening section 165(1), and $1,000 for failing to notify the WA regulatory authority that management had changed at the service, in accordance with section 173(1)(b). The service has also been asked to pay $2,000 toward the Department’s legal costs.
Information on the WA Education and Care Compliance Enforcement Framework can be found here.
Latest in Quality
Quality
OSHC service fined $9,000 after 5 year old child left behind on an excursion
A Perth-based outside school hours care (OSHC) service has been issued with a $9,000 fine after breaching section 188AB of the Schedule to the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012 (“the National Law”). The service failed to ensure that all children being educated and cared for were adequately supervised at all times after a five year old boy was left behind at an excursion venue during a Vacation Care program.
by Freya Lucas
Quality
Research
When do children show evidence of self-esteem? Earlier than you might think
A YouTube clip called “Jessica’s Daily Affirmation” recently went viral. The clip shows a four-year-old Jessica standing in front of the bathroom mirror saying what makes her happy about herself.
by Dario Cvencek, University of Washington; Andrew N. Meltzoff, University of Washington, and Anthony Greenwald, University of Washington
Quality
Providers
Winter winners: inspirational cooking for children with Goodstart recipe release
Goodstart Early Learning has released a second seasonal recipe collection, Good Taste Winter Warmers, a collection of recipes created by chefs and cooks in Goodstart centres around the country.
by Freya Lucas
Quality
Food Allergy Awareness Week starts 26 May – are you ready?
One in ten Australian children experience allergic reactions to food, with signs and symptoms varying from mild to severe. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are frequently caught in a struggle to maintain oversight over children and allergies, sadly, sometimes with dire consequences, making promotion of Food Allergy Awareness Week of particular importance to the sector.
by Freya Lucas
Policy
Quality
Family Matters National Week of Action this week to protect First Nations children
Family Matters, Australia’s national campaign to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture, is running a national week of action from 19-25 May, to highlight issues in out of home care for First Nations children, with an ultimate goal to eliminate the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 2040.
by Freya Lucas
