Child death: Security posted at Cairns daycare centre

A Cairns childcare centre has posted security outside its doors after threats in the wake of the death of a three-year-old boy in Edmonton.

A CAIRNS childcare centre has posted security outside its doors after the death of a three-year-old boy in Edmonton.

It is understood Goodstart Early Learning Cairns allegedly received a death threat by telephone.

Police officers attend Hambledon State School at Edmonton, where a 3 year old was found dead in a Goodstart Early Learning Centre minibus at around 3:30pm on Tuesday. A police forensic officer inspects the van. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“Given the current circumstances and increased media interest the decision was made to engage our contractors in Cairns,” a spokeswoman for Goodstart said.

“Goodstart has security contractors across the country available for all centres.

“Childcare centres are often a target for vandalism given the fact they are always closed from 6pm till morning.

“We regularly engage our security contractors for a variety of reasons.”

The Sheridan Street centre operates independently from the Edmonton Goodstart daycare.

Security has been posted at the Goodstart Cairns daycare centers. A security guard keeps watch at the door of the Goodstart daycare center on Sheridan St, Cairns North. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

A Queensland police spokeswoman said no reports of alleged death threats to the Cairns centre had been yet been filed.

The Edmonton centre had been closed after the death of a boy, 3, whose body was found in a minibus operated by the childcare branch on Tuesday.

Flowers and teddy bears have been laid outside the centre in tribute to the deceased child and in support of his grieving family.

“Rest in peace, beautiful little boy,” one note read.

Detective Inspector Jason Smith said officers would be approaching witnesses, even children who may have been aboard the bus on Tuesday, when the child died.

“When we can identify other witnesses we’ll be speaking with them,” Det Insp Smith said.

“This is a sensitive situation; the welfare of any students that were on the bus is paramount as well.”

Members of the public have laid flowers and left teddies at the Goodstart Early Learning Centre, Edmonton, following the tragic death of a boy, 3, left in a minibus. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Det Insp Smith was “not prepared to say” whether the child’s siblings were aboard the bus or at the childcare centre on the day in question.

He said the police investigation would focus on the van’s movements between 9.30am - when the boy was picked up from his Edmonton address, to 3.15pm - when his body was discovered by the driver.

The minibus was parked in front of Hambledon State School at the time.

Goodstart CEO Julia Davison, in Cairns this week, has suspended the company’s bus services.

“This was not an easy decision to make as this service enables many vulnerable children to access early learning, however we need to ensure our safety processes and procedures are the best they can be,” Ms Davison said.

Originally published as Child death: Security posted at Cairns daycare centre