Source : the age
A childcare centre in Maryborough has been fined after an investigation into a toddler’s death at the centre revealed multiple hazards authorities said could endanger other children.
In July 2022, a two-year-old boy was found unresponsive after nap time at the Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough, owned by KB Child Care and Early Learning.
He was rushed to Maryborough Hospital, but was declared deceased after arriving.
A coroner ruled the toddler died from natural causes, following an investigation from the state’s Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.
However, the daycare was charged for non-compliance in its practices, which the regulator said impacted the centre’s ability to protect children from harm, in particular around sleeping or resting children.
“The case is a reminder of the critical importance of sleep and rest as a time of heightened risk when caring for children,” a statement from the Education Department, which oversees the regulator, said.
KB Child Care and Early Learning pleaded guilty to the charges.
On Friday, Magistrate Mark Whitbread ordered the centre to pay a $15,000 fine, and pay the state regulator’s costs of $1700.
Whitbread said it was important for educators to be able to effectively monitor children’s breathing and skin colour, particularly for vulnerable children.
No conviction was recorded for KB Child Care and Early Learning.
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