A Geelong mother has revealed she raised serious concerns about a Newcomb family day care centre months before it was abruptly shut down, highlighting ongoing safety and supervision issues that she claims were ignored.
Mother's Warnings Ignored
The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she first alerted authorities to problems at the centre in early 2023. She reported that staff-to-child ratios were frequently breached, and children were left unsupervised for extended periods. "I noticed that there were times when one educator was looking after too many children, and it was clear they couldn't manage," she told the Geelong Advertiser.
She also claimed that the centre's environment was unsafe, with hazardous materials within reach of toddlers. "There were cleaning products left out, and the play area had broken equipment that should have been fixed or removed," she added.
Regulatory Response
The Department of Education and Training confirmed that an investigation was launched after receiving the mother's complaint. However, the centre remained open for several more months before being shut down in late 2023. A department spokesperson said, "We take all reports of safety concerns seriously and acted on the information provided. The centre was eventually closed due to multiple breaches of the National Quality Framework."
Records show that the centre had been under scrutiny for some time, with previous complaints about staffing and hygiene. The mother expressed frustration that her warnings did not lead to immediate action. "I feel like if they had listened earlier, some of the issues could have been resolved without the centre having to close," she said.
Impact on Families
The sudden closure left many families scrambling to find alternative care. One parent, Sarah Thompson, said she was given only a few days' notice. "It was a nightmare trying to find a new place for my daughter. We had built a routine there, and then it was just gone," she said.
Another parent, Mark Davis, echoed similar sentiments, adding that the centre had previously given no indication of problems. "We thought it was a good centre. The educators were lovely, but obviously there were issues behind the scenes," he said.
Calls for Reform
The incident has sparked calls for better oversight of family day care centres in the Geelong region. Local MP Christine Couzens said she would raise the matter in parliament. "We need to ensure that our regulatory system is proactive, not reactive. Parents should have confidence that when they drop their children off, they are safe," she said.
The Department of Education and Training has announced a review of its complaint-handling process to ensure that serious concerns are addressed more swiftly in the future.
Meanwhile, the mother who first raised the alarm hopes her experience will encourage others to speak up. "If you see something wrong, say something. It might not feel like it's making a difference, but it can," she said.
