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

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) shall be bringing 13 criminal charges against Team Holiday Pty Ltd, trading as TeamKids, in relation to serious alleged breaches of the Education and Care Services National Law that may have placed children at risk.

The charges stem from four separate alleged incidents across services operated by Team Holiday in Victoria. VECRA alleges that the provider failed to ensure adequate supervision, appropriate staffing arrangements, and the overall safety, health and wellbeing of children in its care, fundamental obligations under the National Law.

If proven, the charges carry a potential aggregate penalty of $746,200.

VECRA’s charges relate to the following alleged breaches:

• TeamKids – Caulfield Junior College: A child left the premises and walked home unaccompanied. The child was unsupervised for around 19 minutes and only returned when brought back by a parent.
• TeamKids – St Leonard’s College: During an excursion, a child was left behind on a locked bus for at least 43 minutes after the bus driver disembarked and secured the vehicle.
• TeamKids – Richmond West Primary: Two children left the service unsupervised, walked to a nearby residence, and later travelled by train to another child’s home. They were returned to the service by a parent after being unsupervised for between 60 and 70 minutes.
• TeamKids – Mitcham Primary: A child exited the premises unnoticed and was located by a member of the public, who returned the child to the service. The child was unaccounted for approximately 42 minutes. VECRA has also alleged that the required educator-to-child ratio was not maintained at the time.

VECRA has also brought charges against YMCA of Ballarat Inc following an alleged incident at Birchip Early Learning Centre, where two children reportedly climbed a fence and were unsupervised for at least 30 minutes. That matter will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court on 24 April 2026.

Interim Early Childhood Regulator Adam Fennessy PSM said VECRA would take decisive action where there were serious risks to children’s safety.

“VECRA won’t hesitate to take action against services that put children’s safety at risk,” Mr Fennessy said.

“These are serious charges against Team Holiday, that relate to the fundamental obligations of service providers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children.”

“Parents are entitled to trust that their children are safe when attending an early childhood service.”

VECRA plays a central role in ensuring that all early childhood education and care providers across Victoria meet their legal obligations under the National Quality Framework and the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.

A full list of enforcement actions is publicly available via VECRA’s Published Enforcement Actions page as well as latest news related breaches and convictions.  

This enforcement activity reflects the shared responsibility across the sector to uphold safety, quality and trust. 

For more information, visit the VECRA website latest news.