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Wagga Wagga families scramble after Gobbagombalin service is closed by RA
Freya Lucas
Sep 18, 2024
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Early childhood services in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, are fielding many calls from families following the sudden closure of a service Gobbagombalin which has left them urgently seeking care for their children.
The Gobbagombalin service was closed by the NSW Department of Education following concerns about serious breaches of the Education and Care Services National Law at the centre which were investigated after a parent made a complaint.“We directed Angels Paradise Adaptive Montessori in Wagga Wagga on September 5 to immediately cease operations due to serious concerns about children’s health, safety and wellbeing,” a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education, the regulator of early childhood education and care services in NSW, explained. “We have suspended their service approval after a parent complaint and an initial investigation. “We understand the service closure will affect families, however we take seriously the responsibility to keep children safe. “This suspension sends a strong message to the community that we will take action to protect children and to ensure that providers maintain a high quality of early childhood education and care.”
Currently the service has been suspended for a period of six months, with the spokesperson confirming that the department is considering whether any other regulatory action may be appropriate given the circumstances.
The service has the opportunity to apply to the regulatory authority for an internal review of the decision within 14 days of suspension. If upheld, the service can then apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review of the regulatory authority’s decision.
Following a request for further information, the spokesperson confirmed that since the service opened in 2016, the regulatory authority has taken ‘several compliance actions’ in relation to its operation, however whilst the regulatory authority is completing its investigation no further comment can be made. “The department works closely with providers to ensure they are aware of their obligations under the National Quality Framework and state laws and works with providers to address compliance issues quickly to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children,” the spokesperson said.
Former employee speaks to local media An employee of the service spoke with local news source The Daily Advertiser calling the move “a blessing in disguise,” expressing her concerns that “no child is safe in that centre.”
Speaking with the paper on the condition of anonymity, the employee, who began with the service as a trainee, said that while her experience had been ‘traumatic’ she would remain working in the early childhood sector as it is the only way she can secure care for her own child.
“After working at (centre) I don’t want to work in a daycare,” she said, “however I need care and the only way I can get it and have a job is if I work (in early childhood.)”
She expressed her concern that her only experience has been in the now closed service, leaving her fearful that “everything I’ve learnt or taught myself is wrong.”
The employee went on to outline that incorrect processes and procedures were in place, leaving children at risk of harm, and that many of the staff were trainees like herself, leaving them without solid guidance on how things ‘should be done.’
The service was rated as Working Toward the National Quality Standard in both 2019 and 2023, with the employee indicating that there had been other compliance visits in 2024, all of which flagged further concerns.
Local providers see spike in demand
Local director Kristen Whitaker of Possums Early Learning Centre said she has lost count of the number of calls and emails from parents of children left without care.
"We even had one poor mum who called us three times," she shared with The Daily Advertiser.
"We feel like she just forgot who she called, she was so desperate she was calling everybody."
Most of the services in the region are full, she continued, with many centres operating below capacity because of staffing constraints.
The approved provider and centre manager were contacted by The Daily Advertiser for comment which was not returned at time of print.
Families or educators in NSW with concerns or complaints about an early learning service are encouraged to connect with the Department via phone - 1800 619 113 or email - ececd@det.nsw.edu.au
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