Bliss Early Learning Maroubra charged after baby girl almost strangled by ribbon
A daycare centre which left hundreds of parents in the lurch after its abrupt temporary closure late last year is now facing court over the alleged injury of a little girl in its care
Southern Courier
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An eastern suburbs childcare centre which was forced to temporarily close after a baby girl was allegedly almost strangled by a ribbon is facing criminal charges.
The case against Bliss Early Learning Maroubra was briefly mentioned in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday.
The centre has been charged with not adequately supervising a child in their care and not protecting a child from harm or hazard in the wake of the near tragedy which occurred shortly after 9.30am on November 27 last year.
Fortunately, an ambulance was called for the then 16-month-old girl who was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital where she recovered from the alleged ordeal which saw her lose consciousness.
The NSW Department of Education briefly closed the Maroubra Rd Centre, which in recent months has been renamed Busy Bees as part of a nationwide company rebrand, following the incident in order to investigate.
Court documents state the little girl was not “actively supervised while playing near a cubby structure with hanging ribbons”.
“Educators employed by the service did not immediately respond when (the girl) became entangled in the ribbons and require assistance,” the court attendance notice reads.
The charges were first mentioned late last month and will next be heard on December 2.
“(The girl) was exposed to harm as she suffered strangulation asphyxia and the onset of stridor after becoming entangled in the hanging ribbons,” the court documents allege.
“The defendant failed to ensure that every reasonable precaution was taken to protect children from harm or hazard likely to cause injury.”
The prosecution will allege no risk assessment was conducted on the cubby house and educators were not provided with adequate training.
The charges are being prosecuted by Sharon Gudu of the Department of Education’s Executive Director Quality Assurance and Regulatory Services – Early Childhood Education.
Magistrate Ross Hudson remarked given the backlog in the courts, a hearing date would likely be set for June or later.