Oakhaul Pty Ltd charged with 31 matters including failing to protect children from harm and/or hazard

Just five days out from a trial, a court has heard why the company behind a Toowoomba region childcare has instead sought yet another adjournment.

An Toowoomba magistrate has had to vacate the trial of a Darling Downs childcare centre charged with more than 30 breaches which was due to start next week.

The trial of Oakhaul Pty Ltd, provider of Little Champions Child Care in Oakey, was set down for three days from Monday next week.

However, barrister Scott Lynch, for Oakhaul Pty Ltd, told the court on Thursday that the prosecution, acting on behalf of the complainant The Department of Education, had provided a document which amounted to 2000 pages of material just last Friday, September 15, and that they were still going through that material.

The parent company of Little Champions Child Care at Oakey was due to face a three-day trial from Monday next week but it has been adjourned.

Mr Lynch said as a result the defence would not be ready to go to trial on Monday and asked that the hearing be adjourned.

Mr Lynch submitted the hearing was more likely to take two days rather than three.

Oakhaul Pty Ltd faces a total 31 charges including:

* Three counts of failing to protect children from harm and/or hazard likely to cause injury;

* Five counts of ensuring premises, furniture and equipment to be safe, clean and in good repair;

* 11 counts of failure to take reasonable steps to ensure documents are accurate;

* Two of failing to comply with a compliance notice within period specified in notice; and

* Two of failing to comply with the conditions of a service approval held by the approved provider, ensuring outdoor space is enclosed by a fence or barrier that children preschool age or under cannot go through, over or under, as well as other matters.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said at a review of the case on August 17 she was told the parties were ready to proceed and asked why the documents hadn’t been disclosed earlier.

Ms Philipson told the parties that they would not be getting a hearing date this year and that the court had to clear 12 other hearings so this three-day hearing could be accommodated.

Next week’s scheduled hearing was vacated and the matters adjourned for mention back in the same court on October 19.

Originally published as Oakhaul Pty Ltd charged with 31 matters including failing to protect children from harm and/or hazard