Child abuse allegations made online at Green Leaves Seaford House referred to police

Child abuse allegations made online by a “disgruntled former employee” at a southern suburbs childcare centre have been referred to police – but parents say they’ve been left in the dark.

Child abuse allegations made online by a former employee at a southern suburbs childcare centre have been referred to police.

Green Leaves Early Learning Seaford House, in Seaford Meadows, says the post was untrue and made by “a disgruntled former educator” who had retracted their claims, but parents have been left understandably distressed.

On Tuesday morning, a post was shared to the organisation’s public platform by a former staff member who said their shifts had been cancelled after reporting “abusive behaviour” from a Green Leaves educator to the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL).

“I am posting this to let everyone know I have been removed from Green Leaves, all future shifts have been cancelled,” the post read.

“The reason for this is because I reported abusive behaviour ... and had to call CARL over it, like other fellow educators have.”

The worker alleged that children were “at risk” and said some had “copped injuries”.

The post was deleted within minutes of being shared.

That afternoon, a Green Leaves staff member posted on the platform and apologised for the initial “unauthorised” post.

“We understand that the content of this post may have caused undue concern and worry,” the Green Leaves post read.

“We are committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children in our care.”

Green Leaves Seaford House. Picture: Google Maps

One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she “felt sick” after reading the post and felt that parents had been left in the dark.

She said a Green Leaves staff member told her the allegations in the post were “untrue”.

“We’ve been told nothing. As a parent, that’s not reassuring,” she said.

“It could absolutely be untrue, but if there’s even a one per cent chance, they need to take it seriously.

“It’s not like a dry cleaner mishandling your clothes – these are children and babies who can’t speak for themselves.”

Green Leaves Early Learning CEO Mark McDonald-Smith said the allegations were “unfounded and untrue” and the former employee had retracted their claims on Wednesday.

Mr McDonald-Smith said the post was made by a “disgruntled former educator”, who was told on Monday that their agency would no longer be contracted by the centre as it was moving forward with only permanent employees.

He said the former worker had accessed the premises unauthorised to share the post.

Mr McDonald-Smith would not comment on whether the accused staff member had been asked not to work, but said “if there were allegations” they would be fully investigated. On Friday, the Department of Child Protection said it was aware of the allegations and the matter had been referred to SA Police.

SA Police has been contacted for comment.