Parents have watched the Edge Early Learning Higgins saga unfold and asked the same question: how many serious incidents does it take before a childcare centre is shut down?
Figures obtained exclusively by Region reveal ACT regulators have issued 114 emergency action notices to childcare services over the past 13 years, yet only 10 resulted in a full or partial temporary closure of a service.
The data, released by the Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA), also shows nine childcare services have been suspended and six have had their approvals cancelled for breaching the Education and Care Services National Law since 2013.
The case dominated last week’s Budget Estimates, where independent MLA Thomas Emerson questioned why the centre had not faced stronger regulatory action despite its compliance history.
The numbers prompted questions during Estimates about why regulators do not simply close centres when serious concerns arise.
Read the article here: https://region.com.au/only-10-act-childcare-services-temporarily-closed-despite-114-emergency-notices/986821/