Maryborough’s Little Gems childcare centre mum describes scene after toddler dies

Tragic new details have emerged surrounding the death of a toddler at a Queensland daycare centre with tearful staff described as being ‘beside themselves’.

Two missed phone calls from her daughter’s childcare centre alerted a Maryborough mother to the unthinkable tragedy that was unfolding on Wednesday.

The Fraser Coast community has been devastated by the sudden death of a two-year-old boy at Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre.

While the cause of death remains unclear, investigating police have stressed there were no suspicious circumstances.

The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, was one of many parents and carers who raced to the centre about 5.30pm on Wednesday after receiving phone calls from the centre on Saltwater Creek Rd.

She was greeted by the sight of tearful staff and multiple police officers.

“The staff in there were absolutely beside themselves,” she said.

A bouquet of flowers was left outside the Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough after the death of a toddler on Wednesday.

Her daughter, who is three years old, loves attending Little Gems, where she said staff and the children were like a family.

The centre was closed on Thursday; a solitary sign and a bunch of flowers the only indicators of the terrible tragedy that had befallen one of its tiny charges.

The mum said her heart went out to the little boy’s parents.

“I can’t help but feel tremendous pain for the parents,” she said.

“Imagine dropping your child off to daycare and never seeing them again.”

Her daughter had been attending the centre for about six months and had made many friends, she said.

They both loved the staff there.

“They are so attentive, they really take care of the kids,” she said.

“I feel 200 per cent comfortable with my child going there.”

She said she always recommended the centre to friends looking for childcare options.

“They help raise the kids,” she said.

A toddler died suddenly at Little Gems Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

“It must feel like they’ve lost a child as well.”

The woman said she felt a sense of relief when she knew her daughter was safe, but also huge compassion and empathy for the family that had been left devastated.

“I just thought, this could have been my child,” she said.

“Two years is not long enough to spend with your child.

“It definitely makes you hold them a bit tighter.”

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.

“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.