A childcare centre in southern NSW has been shut after numerous allegations around unacceptable safety risks led to an investigation.
Wagga Wagga’s Angel’s Paradise early education childcare centre was closed immediately in September 2024 after an inspection led education officials to warn that there was an “an immediate risk” to the safety of children attending the establishment.
The allegations contained in court documents, supported by CCTV from the centre, revealed breaches of the health and safety of children, including children repeatedly left unsupervised and suffering falls.
The NSW Department of Education also raised concerns that the training of staff was inadequate after it was found at least one staff member was working without a Working with Children check and had no formal early childhood education training.
Staff members were also alleged to have been using their phones at times when they were meant to be supervising children.
Claims of a general “lack of hygiene” were also made after children allegedly ate food scraps off the floor.
A parent first raised concerns in August last year when their child returned home from the centre with an injury that needed medical attention.
Security footage supports allegations
CCTV footage from the centre was central to the department’s case.
In the footage, the department alleged a child climbed onto a cupboard and fell while unsupervised. The child appeared distressed, crying or asleep until they were picked up at the end of the day.
Although the operator of the centre continues to dispute the allegations, the breaches raised in the CCTV footage were deemed serious enough to allow the department to order the centre’s immediate shutdown and were found to be “indicative of substantial and ongoing risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of children”.
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Monday upheld the six-month suspension placed on the centre, while the owner argued the suspension would force the centre to close permanently due to financial concerns.
While the owner plans to contest the finding, the tribunal rejected an assertion the department was “hyper vigilant” and had overreacted.
“There are far too many serious alleged breaches,” the tribunal said.
“The unacceptable risk to the health, wellbeing and safety of the child can best be protected by refusing a stay.”
