Central Coast childcare centre has closed over mould and rodent activity
A NSW Central Coast childcare centre has been forced to close after breaching health and safety over mould and rodent concerns.
A childcare centre on the NSW Central Coast has been closed for allegedly breaching health and safety regulations concerning mould and rodents.
The Beach Early Learning Centre at Erina, about 90km north of Sydney, received an emergency action notice about mould contamination and rodent activity on Wednesday.
The centre notified families to pick up their children as soon as possible due to an “unexpected closure” on Wednesday.
Parents said they feared the worst with issues happening in the childcare sector and were given little information about why the centre closed on short notice.
“When we got there we were offered no explanation other than we had to take all their things, so we had to take water bottles, bedding, all the things that would normally remain behind through the week,” Stephanie Martens told the ABC.
“It was quite the shock.
“The centre from … a naked eye is immaculate.
“It’s an older building, but it’s a very clean centre and the staff are very proud of how they present that.
“I work for myself so I don’t know what I’m going to do with my two children for the next however many weeks.”
An Affinity Learning Group spokesman said the emergency action notice required the centre to cease operations immediately.
The spokesman advised they complied with the direction and would remain closed until they met the directions of the notice to the regulator’s satisfaction.
“We will provide an update to families in early January 2026 on anticipated re-opening timeframes,” a spokesman said.
“We acknowledge that more needs to be done, and we accept the regulator’s requirements in full. These actions will improve health and safety outcomes for children, staff, and families.”
Originally published as Central Coast childcare centre has closed over mould and rodent activity
