Parents defend Goodstart Early Learning Centre Blair Athol

Parents of attendees of a Blair Athol childcare centre from which two toddlers escaped through a damaged fence and ran onto the road have put their support behind the staff.

Parents have defended a Blair Athol childcare centre from which two toddlers escaped through a broken fence and ran onto a busy road in the northern suburbs.

The terrifying incident was caught on dashcam and showed the two boys burst through a fence and ran up the footpath.

Goodstart Early Learning centre workers quickly ran after them, removing them from the road and taking them back inside.

In an email to parents on Monday, the centre said the toddlers escaped through the fence in the outdoor area near some bamboo.

Three staff were supervising the nine children in the area at the time.

Ivy Tran and daughter An Do, at Goodstart Early Learning in Blair Athol. Picture: Tara Miko

Goodstart Early Learning Blair Athol. Picture: Tara Miko

Ivy Tran said her one-year-old daughter An Do loved the centre and its workers, and she supported the staff.

“She loves being at school,” she said.

Ms Tran said the footage was “shocking” but “did not believe it could have happened” because she had observed the educators being “so observant with the kids”.

“They love going around – there is the ratio of four kids to one educator,” she said.

“The (footage) is shocking – no one could expect that.

“It could raise some concern but I made a decision to drop her here because I still love them.”

Email sent to parents from the Goodstart Blair Athol Child Care centre after two children escaped. Picture: Supplied

Email sent to parents from the Goodstart Blair Athol Child Care centre after two children escaped. Picture: Supplied

Vipul Patel said he believed his son, who is almost three years old, was safe at the centre.

“Usually the centre is very safe and they have plans to make sure that the kids are safe,” he said.

He said the centre assured parents it would not happen again.

The Education Standards Board said it does not comment on any current investigations.

“We would like to reassure families that children’s safety will always remain our focus,” a spokeswoman said.

“I encourage staff, parents or member of the general public to report any concerns or complaints they may have about their early childhood education and care service.”

Its website stipulates childcare centre boundary fences must be at least 1.8m high, and constructed so that children cannot climb over them.

“Fences and gates must be of a height and design that prevent children of preschool age or under from going under, over or through,” the guidelines state.

“It is important to ensure effective fence heights are maintained at all times by not locating objects or structures close by.

“A minimum 1.2m clearance should be provided. Any gaps in fences or gates are not to exceed 100mm, including gaps under or adjacent to structures or between vertical bars.”