Frogtastic Childcare Centre fined for offences by Brisbane court
A childcare centre which failed to protect small children from “hazards and harm” has been dealt a costly blow by a Brisbane court.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Education Department said on Wednesday it welcomed a $34,500 fine imposed on Grans & Co Pty Ltd in Brisbane Magistrates Court, following multiple incidents at Frogtastic Educational Kindergarten and Childcare between February 2021 and July 2022.
The Court also awarded $3000 in costs to the department, a statement from the department read late Wednesday.
The incidents included a four-year-old child being left unattended on a service bus for five to 15 minutes, a two-year-old child left unsupervised in the playground for two minutes and two children aged five and six leaving the service premises unsupervised for 30 to 45 minutes.
As a result of these incidents, the department, as the regulatory authority for early childhood education and care services in Queensland, took legal action against Grans & Co Pty Ltd as the approved provider, for failing to protect children from harm and hazards, failing to provide adequate supervision, and failing to comply with compliance directions.
Bundaberg mother’s shock at daughter’s childcare injury
“This prosecution sends a strong message to all approved providers that they have an overriding responsibility to ensure children are adequately supervised and protected from harm, and that they must respond to compliance actions as directed by the Regulatory Authority,” the department statement read.
“The fine of $34,500 reflects the seriousness of these multiple offences. The Regulatory Authority will continue to work with the early childhood education and care sector to promote high standards of compliance where all children attending early childhood services receive safe care.
“Where inadequate steps are taken towards the health and safety of children, the Regulatory Authority will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
Frogtastic was contacted for comment on the outcome of the court case, but had not responded at time of publication.
Four charged after tobacconist smash-and-grab
Police have arrested four people in relation to an incident early Wednesday morning where a car rammed through the front of a Hervey Bay tobacconist.
Wires down as car smashes into power pole
Two occupants of a car that smashed into a power pole on Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd, Walligan are being transported to Hervey Bay Hospital, with concerns live wires are now on the ground.