Childcare provider loses funding after safety breaches at two centres

A family day care provider lost access to Commonwealth funding after investigators found serious safety breaches at two of its centres in Craigieburn. The breaches included exposing children to bleach and rat poison and failing to secure a water feature. The cancellation affects more than 30 centres operated from residential homes.

Funding cut and appeal The Education Department confirmed the cancellation of the provider's Child Care Subsidy approval. A spokesperson said the decision applies to the provider, not to individual educators. The provider stated that rectification works were completed and that affected residences were later assessed as meeting required standards.

It described the funding loss as devastating for educators and families. Documents on the Department of Education enforcement register show the provider did not fix the identified safety issues. The provider is appealing the cancellation, which takes effect on July 4.

Regulator concerns and response The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority said it holds serious concerns about the provider and has not seen expected progress in compliance. A spokesperson said swift action is taken when children's health, safety and wellbeing are endangered.

The new safety legislation does not prevent the two educators linked to the breaches from re-registering with another provider. A government source confirmed that any new provider would decide whether the educators meet regulatory requirements and would face closer scrutiny.

The provider told ABC that all its educators, including the two involved in the breaches, remain operational and have begun re-registering elsewhere. It claims all issues have been rectified.