This follows Sparrow Group WA Pty Ltd trading as Sparrow Early Learning Mandurah, being ordered to pay $20,000 in penalties and costs by the State Administrative Tribunal for the contravention of section 165(1) of the Education and Care Service National Law (Western Australia) Act 2012, following the investigation of an incident on 31 August last year.
The Department of Communities investigation found that four children aged four-years or younger, left the service by climbing through a large gap in a perimeter fence, unnoticed and unsupervised.
Between about 1.00 pm and 1.15 pm, one boy and three girls were found by members of the public on the verge of a four-lane highway and returned to the service. None of the children were harmed during the incident.
The service fence was known to be regularly damaged through vandalism. The gap in the fence had been observed on the morning of the incident and had been inadequately repaired by staff.
Quotes from Catherine Stoddart, Deputy Director General – Governance, Intelligence and Reform, Department of Communities:
“Being approved to operate a childcare service in Western Australia carries significant responsibilities and obligations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children enrolled at the childcare service.
“Perimeter barriers should be checked regularly and repairs carried out so as to protect against any child being able to leave the safety of a centre’s grounds.
“The supervision policies and procedures must be robust and include frequent headcounts and premises checks, especially for those children with known abilities such as climbing fences or tall outdoor or indoor structures, to ensure all children are accounted for.
“Staff should be trained in the service policies and procedures to ensure that they are embedded in their service practices and operators must have systems in place to monitor that the staff follow the policies and procedures.”
Media contact: Steve Worner 0418 918 299
