Maryborough’s Little Gems childcare review reveals standards were met before death

As heavy rain fell, parents returned to collect their children from a daycare centre where tragedy struck this week. But while families returned, bouquets of flowers laid against a fence were a poignant reminder of the sad loss of the two-year-old boy.

The daycare centre where a two-year-old boy died on Wednesday reopened its doors on Friday, as a growing tribute of flowers stood against its outer fence.

Maryborough’s Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre was closed on Thursday in the wake of the child’s sudden death, which has left the community shocked and devastated.

The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief, with many people taking to social media to share their condolences for the family and also the educators at Little Gems.

On Friday, as heavy rain fell in Maryborough, parents collected their children from the centre in typical scenes, while the daycare bus returned children to their homes.

But floral tributes resting on the fence outside the centre were a poignant reminder of the loss of the little boy.

No serious problems were identified at Little Gems during its most recent government assessment in April 2022, with the centre meeting all seven of the National Quality Standards.

However, it had been downgraded in two categories, originally rated as “exceeding” the NQS standards in 2017.

These were in the areas of staffing arrangements and governance and leadership.

Floral tributes left outside Maryborough’s Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre after the death of a two-year-old boy there on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, which publishes these ratings, did not outline why the centre was downgraded in those two categories.

According to a note on the website of the ACECQA, the page of the Maryborough daycare centre was updated on Friday, July 15, 2022.

The centre, located on Saltwater Creek Rd, was approved to provide “long day care”.

“The centre is approved to provide education and care to children from birth to over preschool age, including schoolchildren,” the ACECQA page regarding the daycare read.

A spokesman for the Department of Education responded to a request for comment on Thursday.

“The department is aware of the tragic death of a child attending the Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough yesterday, and our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time,” he said.

A toddler died suddenly at Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough on Wednesday.

“The department, as the Queensland Regulatory Authority, is responsible for regulating education and care services and enforcing compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations in Queensland.

“As the Regulatory Authority of early childhood education and care services, the department places the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of all children attending these services.

“The Queensland Police Service is investigating the incident, and the RA will work closely with QPS to establish the relevant facts over the coming days.

“As the matter is currently under investigation the department is unable to make further comment at this time.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The childcare centre has been contacted for comment.