A Townsville childcare centre with a history of 19 regulatory breaches since late 2023 is under investigation again. The Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority is examining seven new complaints lodged as recently as March 2025, including allegations of injuries to children and inadequate supervision.
Grow Early Education in Bushland Beach, about 22 kilometres from the Townsville CBD, has been cited for failing to report incidents and operating beyond capacity. Past breaches include an unchanged nappy, children climbing on bag racks and jumping off a sink, and one educator supervising 20 children in a pre-kindy room.
Freedom of Information documents obtained by the ABC reveal that on February 7, 2024, CCTV footage showed one educator supervising 20 children, far exceeding the required ratio of one educator per 11 children aged three to five. The footage also captured children playing with electrical switches, plastic gloves, and blind cords—all known hazards—while two educators were present.
The centre also failed to meet the requirement that at least 50 per cent of educators hold or work towards a diploma-level qualification. During staff shortages, the lead educator covered lunches, resulting in no education delivered to pre-kindy for two weeks and no learning progress logged for three weeks.
Imagine Education Australia, the parent company, said significant changes have been implemented, including a new leadership team and learning framework. Chief executive Bill Adler stated parents could have full confidence the centre now operates in accordance with regulations. However, investigations remain open regarding alleged injuries and supervision issues.
Grow Early Education opened in October 2023 and is operated by Imagine Education Group, which runs dozens of childcare services across Australia, including nearly 30 in Queensland.
