Childcare centre faces 15 charges over alleged supervision failures

Victoria’s early childhood regulator alleges three children were left unsupervised at a Melbourne service. 

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has charged Woodlands St Kilda Pty Ltd with 15 offences over alleged supervision and safety breaches at its Woodlands St Kilda Road service.

VECRA alleged that children aged between 22 months and five years were left unsupervised in three separate incidents and stated the provider could face a maximum total penalty of $1.394 million if found guilty of all charges

Three incidents involve lifts and a staff bathroom

VECRA alleges that:

• A child left the service through a goods lift, reached the loading dock and then entered the building’s forecourt facing St Kilda Road. An employee of another business found and returned the child.
• Another child left the rooftop playground, entered a lift and travelled to another floor, where Woodlands administrative staff found them.
• A third child became trapped in a staff bathroom and was found by staff approximately 30 minutes later.

Early Childhood Regulator Wendy Steendam said supervision required careful planning.

“Proactive and well-planned supervision by trained staff is critical for children's safety and protection from harm or hazards,” Ms Steendam said.

Service previously subject to emergency action

The Sector reported an emergency action notice at Woodlands St Kilda Road in June, following concerns about rooftop fencing and emergency evacuation arrangements. 

Read VECRA’s statement here.