A Canberra mother had concerns for her daughter's safety at a childcare centre in the city's north-west for more than a year before the ACT regulator ordered it to shut.
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson, an advocate for stronger childcare regulation in the ACT, backed the regulator's decision to suspend the Higgins centre.
He said that centre had a history of incidents related to poor supervision, inappropriate discipline, and an educator working without a Working with Vulnerable People check.
"It's really disappointing," he said.
The member for Kurrajong said the latest incident was another example of why the ACT government needed to increase standards of care in the sector and better support smaller community operators.
"What I haven't seen is enough support for the smaller local providers that are run by people who are part of our community," he said.
"We need to tighten regulations."
Read the article here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-18/mother-furious-canberra-childcare-centre-closes/106929658