Child leaves OSHC unnoticed: WA provider faces regulatory action after 4-year-old walks home alone

A Western Australian outside school hours care (OSHC) service has faced regulatory proceedings after a four-year-old child left the service unnoticed, crossed two public roads and walked approximately 400 metres to a family home.

The incident, which occurred on 13 February 2025 at a service operating from Beaumaris Primary School in Ocean Reef, highlights critical risks related to supervision, behaviour planning and environmental safety.

The matter proceeded before the State Administrative Tribunal, with the Approved Provider and the Department agreeing on the relevant facts and mitigating actions.

The Respondent held a service approval under the Education and Care Services National Law to operate the OSHC service.

On the day of the incident, the child, aged four years and nine months, attended the after-school session. A total of 45 children were in attendance.

Five educators were rostered across the session, including a centre manager and nominated supervisor, and an operations manager who also held nominated supervisor responsibilities.

Information recorded at enrolment indicated that the child was awaiting a medical diagnosis. The centre manager had also been informed by the child’s grandmother that the child was a “runner”. One educator was aware of a prior attempt by the child to leave the service.

Despite this, no documented behaviour guidance or risk management plan had been developed.

At approximately 5pm, educators began transitioning children from the undercover area to the OSHC room. At that time, 25 children remained in care with four educators actively supervising.

At approximately 5.05pm, the child’s grandmother arrived at the OSHC room. At around the same time, a parent contacted the service to report seeing a child crossing the road outside the premises and heading towards an alleyway.

Educators immediately commenced a search. The nominated supervisor directed that police be contacted, and a call was made, lasting more than nine minutes.

At approximately 5.22pm, the child’s grandmother returned and confirmed the child had been located.

The child had walked unaccompanied to a nearby residence approximately 400 metres from the service, crossing several roads.

The investigation identified several contributing factors:

• absence of a documented plan to manage a known flight risk
• reliance on verbal communication of behavioural concerns
• vulnerabilities associated with an electronic vehicle gate
• transition period supervision pressures

The parent who reported the sighting later acknowledged allowing the child to exit through the electronic vehicle gate, despite prior advice from the school not to use this access point.

The service maintained required educator-to-child ratios at all times. Regular headcounts were conducted every 15 minutes and during transitions.

Emergency procedures were current, signed by staff and followed once the incident was identified.

However, the case highlights that compliance with ratios alone does not ensure effective supervision, particularly where individual risk factors are known but not formally managed.

The Approved Provider implemented a series of corrective actions, which were accepted by the Department as mitigating factors. These included:

• immediate notification of a serious incident to the regulatory authority
• a post-incident team debrief
• additional training for all educators
• introduction of walkie-talkies to improve communication
• replacement of the electronic vehicle gate
• removal of parent access to the carpark
• appointment of a new nominated supervisor
• introduction of high-visibility vests for children

These actions reflect a strengthened approach to supervision, communication and environmental risk management.

This case reinforces several key obligations under the National Law and Regulations, particularly in relation to children’s health, safety and supervision:

• Document known risks
  Information about behaviours such as absconding must be formally recorded, shared with all educators and supported by clear strategies.
• Strengthen supervision during transitions
  Transition periods require active planning, clear role allocation and heightened vigilance.
• Address environmental risks
  Access points, including shared school infrastructure, must be secure and not reliant on parent compliance alone.
• Support effective communication
  Services operating across large or open environments should ensure educators can communicate quickly and reliably.
• Ensure strong leadership and oversight
  Consistent leadership is critical to embedding risk-aware practice and maintaining compliance.

While the child was located safely, the incident represents a serious breach of the obligation to protect children from harm and hazard.

For Approved Providers, the case highlights that effective supervision extends beyond ratios. It requires planning, communication and a proactive approach to identifying and managing foreseeable risks within complex OSHC environments.

For the full decision, read the State Administrative Tribunal ruling via the eCourts portal here.