Happy Haven OSHC confirms a child was discovered alone on a locked bus parked at SA depot

A childcare service has been named and shamed after a boy was allegedly left alone on a locked after-school care bus on Friday.

A sleeping child was left alone on a locked bus, which was driven back to its depot following an after-school trip.

The primary school-aged boy was discovered by staff at 4.50pm on Friday and an investigation is underway.

Happy Haven OSHC, which runs services across the state, has confirmed the “serious incident” involved “a child who was not escorted off a bus and into the service at the conclusion of the afternoon transport run”.

The children were being transported from Lake Windemere B-6 School, Salisbury North, to Riverdale Primary School, in Salisbury Downs.

A boy was left along on a locked bus on Friday. Picture: iStock

In a statement, Happy Haven OSHC said it appeared safety protocols were not followed.

“The child, who had fallen asleep during the journey, remained on the bus after the other children disembarked,” said the statement which was released on Tuesday afternoon.

“The bus was subsequently taken to our secure depot and locked.

“The child was discovered at 4.50pm and was safely reunited with their family.”

The statement said preliminary findings of the investigation “indicate that established procedures – including headcounts, sign-in/out protocols, and visual bus checks – were not followed”.

“While this appears to be an isolated event, we are treating it with the utmost seriousness,” the statement said.

“We are working to understand not only what failed but why, and what changes are needed to prevent a recurrence.”

The company said “additional safety checks” had been put in place and senior leadership and safety staff were now overseeing all transportation runs.

“For over six years, Happy Haven OSHC has safely transported between 20 to 70 children twice daily at this service without incident,” it said.

“We sincerely apologise to the child and their family for this distressing experience.”

Parents at the centre have been notified of the incident.

Originally published as Happy Haven OSHC confirms a child was discovered alone on a locked bus parked at SA depot