ECEC provider defends $20 missed sign-in fee as safety measure

Little Zak’s Academy says the charge aims to improve compliance and child safety

Little Zak’s Academy has defended the introduction of a $20 administrative fee for families who fail to sign their child in or out, following criticism of the policy in national media and by the Federal Government.

The fee, which attracted attention in the ECEC sector, has prompted broader discussion around sector practice, family engagement and regulatory compliance.

In a letter issued to families on 17 October 2025, following family feedback, Little Zak’s Academy acknowledged concerns raised about the administrative fee and outlined the reasoning behind its introduction.

In a communication shared exclusively with The Sector by Brent Annells, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Little Zak’s Academy, the provider clarified the purpose of the policy, stating it was driven by safety, not profit.

“Our top priority is always the safety and regulatory compliance of every child in our care,” the statement said. “We are legally required to ensure that all children are accurately signed in and out each day. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, a missing sign-in could mean a child is not accounted for during evacuation, a risk we simply cannot take.”

The provider noted that the fee followed months of attempted voluntary compliance, including reminders, signage and app-based notifications, which did not result in sufficient improvement.

“Introducing an administrative fee is not a step we take lightly, but we believe it is necessary to ensure full compliance and to safeguard all children.”

Little Zak’s Academy also stated that all fees collected under the policy will be donated to its charity partner, the Starlight Foundation. Families will not be charged if the issue stems from a technical fault, or in the case of one-off incidents.

“Our hope is that this measure will be temporary and lead to 100 per cent compliance, encouraging consistent habits to meet our legal and safety responsibilities.”

Under Regulation 99 and Regulation 168 (20(f) of the Education and Care Services National Regulations, services must ensure a children do not leave the premises and must maintain accurate attendance records

The Department of Education has not issued formal guidance on the appropriateness of thi implemented fine by Little Zak’s Academy.