Compliance

Sydney council to face criminal charges over OSHC abscondment

Freya Lucas

Jun 25, 2020

Save

Sydney’s Inner West Council is reportedly preparing to appear in the Newtown Local Court in July in relation to two incidents which took place at Stanmore Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) in July and September 2018.

Reporter Tom Rabe, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, outlined that the council is facing five separate charges in relation to the supervision of children in its care, with sources from within the Council, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explaining that the charges relate to children absconding from the service.

A private operator now provided before and after school care from Stanmore Public School with the Council no longer involved in running the facility.

The hearing is scheduled for 14 July at 9:30 AM. Further information is available in Mr Rabe’s story, which may be found here.

Don’t miss a thing

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Educator-to-child ratios are one of the most visible signals of quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC). They set expectations for supervision, safety and responsiveness. They also shape what educators can realistically deliver across a long day: sustained interactions, intentional teaching, inclusion, documentation and partnerships with families.

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are entrusted with one of the most important responsibilities, ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children. Effective incident prevention and management practices are vital to meeting this responsibility, and are mandated under both federal legislation and the National Quality Framework (NQF).

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Creating inclusive early learning environments is a foundational element of quality education and care. For early childhood education and care (ECEC) and outside school hours care (OSHC) providers, ensuring the inclusion of children with disability is both a professional obligation and a legislative requirement.

Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight

The Tasmanian Government has launched Raising the Standard Tasmania, a new program intended to lift standards and strengthen oversight across early childhood education and care (ECEC). Announced on 13 January 2026, the program will provide targeted support to Tasmanian services through mentoring, workshops, eLearning and professional development, with delivery planned across the next two years and an outcomes report due in early 2028.

South Australia freehold early learning centre sale: What the Blair Athol deal highlights for ECEC in 2026

A South Australian freehold early learning centre at 381–387 Prospect Road, Blair Athol has been reported as sold and settled through XCommercial Melbourne in conjunction with CBRE. Separate property reporting states the site was sold to Sydney operator Bright Steps for $7.843 million. For ECEC leaders, the story highlights a 2026 reality: premises transactions sit alongside child safety and governance obligations, approved providers need documented due diligence on physical environment upkeep (Regulation 103), historical compliance actions, and readiness-to-operate systems.

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

NQF and Policy Changes

Outside School Hours Care

Politics

Preschool

Understanding Children

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight

Affordability & Accessibility

South Australia freehold early learning centre sale: What the Blair Athol deal highlights for ECEC in 2026

Outside School Hours Care

Politics

General News

Examples

Approved provider to be charged over serious child safety allegations in Victoria

Playground safety checks in early learning: Why regular equipment inspections matter in 2026

NSW signals tougher child safety oversight: what a funding boost to the Office of the Children’s Guardian could mean for ECEC services

NQF and Policy Changes

Politics

Professional development

Examples

Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

Fiona Alston

Jan 12, 2026

Sydney council to face criminal charges over OSHC abscondment

Sydney’s Inner West Council is reportedly preparing to appear in the Newtown Local Court in July in relation to two incidents which took place at Stanmore Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) in July and September 2018.

Don’t miss a thing

Related topics

Related Articles

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight

South Australia freehold early learning centre sale: What the Blair Athol deal highlights for ECEC in 2026

Related Articles

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Related Articles

Ratios versus environments: Why ECEC quality reform must treat staffing and space as one system

Incident prevention and management: Protecting children through proactive safety practices

Embedding inclusive practices: practical tools to support children with disability in ECEC settings

Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight

South Australia freehold early learning centre sale: What the Blair Athol deal highlights for ECEC in 2026

Approved provider to be charged over serious child safety allegations in Victoria

Playground safety checks in early learning: Why regular equipment inspections matter in 2026

NSW signals tougher child safety oversight: what a funding boost to the Office of the Children’s Guardian could mean for ECEC services

Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

Keep Exploring

Raising the standard Tasmania: What the new program could mean for ECEC quality and oversight

South Australia freehold early learning centre sale: What the Blair Athol deal highlights for ECEC in 2026

Don’t miss a thing