Goodstart CEO sends deepest condolences to family in wake of Cairns tragedy 

Goodstart Early Learning CEO, Julia Davison, has sent her “deepest condolences” to the family of a young boy who died yesterday whilst in the care of the Group in Cairns, Far North Queensland. 

Ms Davison shared the great responsibility undertaken by the provider to give care and education to the “tens of thousands of families” who use Goodstart’s services each day, something she says is “not taken lightly.”

The full facts of the incident are under investigation, and whilst the circumstances which led to the tragedy are unknown, Ms Davison emphasised that Goodstart “will do everything in our power to assist the authorities with their investigation.”

Educators across the Group are being cared for and supported, with Ms Davison basing herself in Cairns today, to ensure that teams and the families who rely upon them “have all the support they require in the coming days and weeks.”

“On behalf of every Goodstart centre across Australia and our 15,000 team members I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family who have suffered such a tragic loss.We will of course offer them all possible assistance:” she added.

Counselling has been made available for all staff and families who require it, and Mission Australia have supported Goodstart with an offer of chaplaincy support which Ms Davison said was welcome.

While Goodstart come to learn more about the circumstances which led to the incident in the coming days, the centre has been closed, and bus services across the network suspended.

“We have made the decision to temporarily suspend our bus services from today” Ms Davison noted, saying it was not an easy decision, as the bus service “enables many vulnerable children to access early learning, however we need to ensure our safety processes and procedures are the best they can be.”

Bus services will complete scheduled pick up and drop off services today, with additional checks in place until all children are home this afternoon, however it is understood that services will be suspended from that point forward.