Canberra Mother Demands Action as Childcare Centre Shut Down

A Canberra mother whose daughter attended a childcare centre in the city's north-west has expressed fury after the ACT regulator ordered it to close, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety and oversight in the sector.

Alison Sweeney, whose daughter Blake attends Edge Early Learning in Higgins, said she was not surprised by the regulator's decision. She had raised alarms for more than a year about the centre's declining standards.

“We've been having issues now for a couple of years with the centre, director after director, with the high staff turnover, and obviously incidents with my daughter,” Ms Sweeney said.

Her daughter had wandered from the centre more than once, had her hair cut with adult scissors, and knocked out her front teeth while playing on equipment. “She's now without teeth until her new ones come through, which shouldn't be until next year,” she added. “Do better. They've let an entire community down, and I just think it's appalling.”

Regulator Steps In After Medical Incident

The Children's Education and Care Assurance (CECA) issued Edge Early Learning in Higgins with a notice to close for one month until August 13, accusing it of failing to respond appropriately to a serious medical incident involving a child. “CECA is currently investigating a range of issues arising from the incident,” a spokesperson said.

Some families received an email from Edge Early Learning's CEO Chris Chambers on Thursday night, informing them of the abrupt shutdown. He said the centre had terminated a staff member over the incident and suspended others while an investigation was underway. “While we are pleased that the child is OK, I want to be very clear that the educator's response to the incident was completely unacceptable.”

Quality of Care Deteriorated After Takeover

Ms Sweeney noted a sharp decline in care quality when Edge Early Learning took over from the former operator Little Penguins. Her eldest child, Nixon, also attended the centre at the time.

Now running a small business, Ms Sweeney must bring her daughter to work because she cannot work from home. “It leaves me in a situation where I have to take her to work with me every day, which is not ideal at all,” she said. The sudden closure also affects her daughter's friendships and graduation plans. “I may not even put her back in daycare.”

Calls for Stronger Regulation

Edge Early Learning operates centres across Australia, including in South Australia and Queensland. Earlier this month, the South Australian childcare regulator closed the company's centre in Gawler East after a child was served food containing a known allergen.

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson, an advocate for stronger childcare regulation in the ACT, backed the regulator's decision. He said the Higgins centre had a history of incidents involving poor supervision, inappropriate discipline, and an educator working without a Working with Vulnerable People check. “It's really disappointing,” he said.

The member for Kurrajong argued the latest incident underscored the need for the ACT government to raise care standards and better support smaller community operators. “What I haven't seen is enough support for the smaller local providers that are run by people who are part of our community,” he said. “We need to tighten regulations.”

What Are the Broader Implications for Childcare in Australia?

This case raises questions about the adequacy of national childcare regulations, particularly for large providers. The closure in the ACT and a similar incident in South Australia suggest systemic issues that may require federal or state-level reforms to ensure child safety and accountability.

FAQ

Why was the Edge Early Learning centre in Higgins closed?

The centre was ordered to close for one month after failing to respond to a serious medical incident involving a child, according to the ACT regulator CECA.

What other issues have been reported at the centre?

Parents reported high staff turnover, children wandering off, inappropriate discipline, and an educator working without a valid background check.

Is Edge Early Learning facing similar problems elsewhere?

Yes, the company's centre in Gawler East, South Australia, was also closed earlier this month after a child was served food with a known allergen.