Perth mum horrified after toddler left alone in daycare centre, staff go home

The Perth mother arrived at the daycare centre to find the doors shut and the lights switched off.

A mum has had the shock of her life after trying to collect her baby from a daycare in Perth, only to discover she was nowhere to be found. 

On August 12 in Mirrabooka, Perth, a mother drove to the Busy Bees daycare centre, shortly before its closing time, to collect her 16-month-old daughter. 

But by the time she arrived, the lights had been switched off, and the doors were locked.

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The toddler was left alone for more than 30 minutes. Picture: 7News

Mum arrives at daycare centre to find doors closed

In a panic, the stressed mother called the daycare’s emergency number; however, her calls went unanswered.

It took a further 40 minutes before the daycare staff got in touch. 

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The staff member unlocked the doors and discovered the 16mo baby, who was fast asleep in a nursery cot. 

According to 7News reports, the baby had been left unattended for more than 30 minutes. 

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“Last week, a sleeping child was left inside the nursery room for a short time after our Mirrabooka Centre closed,” a statement from Busy Bees read. 

“Thankfully, the child was quickly located asleep in their cot and was not harmed. We respect the privacy of the family involved and have been supporting them directly.

“The safety and well-being of the children in our care is our top priority, and we are taking this matter very seriously.”

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While there is still speculation about how the incident occurred, two staff members at Busy Bees have since been stood down.

“Two staff members have been stood down until the review has been concluded,” the daycare confirmed. 

In April 2024, Busy Bees made headlines after a child pricked herself on the hand with a syringe, requiring months of testing to determine he wasn’t exposed to infections or diseases.

Originally published as Perth mum horrified after toddler left alone in daycare centre, staff go home