The Berry Patch Preschool Kellyville Ridge hit with charges over death

A childcare provider with centres across Sydney is facing criminal charges two years after the tragic death of a baby girl at the centre. It’s alleged the centre failed in its care and supervision of infants during nap time.

The Berry Patch Preschool, Kellyville Ridge. Picture: Google

• Blacktown childcare: One third of local centres fall short of national standards
• Westpoint Blacktown: Man critical after falling from rooftop carpark

A childcare centre operator in Sydney’s northwest has been hit with a raft of criminal charges after the death of a toddler in 2018.

The Berry Patch Preschool in Kellyville Ridge was charged with 10 offences, including not protecting children from harm and failing to ­adequately supervise children almost two years after the death of a 16-month-old girl at the centre.

The toddler was found unresponsive by centre staff during nap time on August 24, 2018 and was rushed to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, but could not be revived.

The Berry Patch later issued a statement attributing the death to a medical episode.

However, a subsequent investigation resulted in criminal action, with prosecutors ­alleging the centre failed to undertake sufficient and ade­quate checks of children in the centre’s cot rooms, relying on CCTV and audio monitors rather than conducting regular physical cot checks and made checks at longer than recommended intervals.

The Berry Patch operates five Sydney centres, including at Rouse Hill and Schofields.