NT Police, WorkSafe investigates fatal Humpty Doo childcare centre incident

A Darwin childcare centre director says their organisation has received about 40 calls from families seeking a new daycare provider following the tragic death of a two-year-old.

A Darwin childcare centre director has revealed dozens of families are seeking a new daycare facility in the wake of the tragic death of a toddler.

The Top End centre director, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this publication their organisation had received about 40 calls in the three days after news broke of the two-year-old’s death.

The baby girl suffered a medical incident at Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre last Thursday and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, where she died two days later.

The centre director said while they understood the police investigation had to come first, people in the community were after “some communication” from the Department of Education.

The Humpty Doo childcare centre where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“I spoke to another director earlier today and they said their phone hasn’t stopped either,” they said.

The centre director said they had “only heard good things” about Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre and while there was no suggestion of wrongdoing, the lack of information was fuelling concerns.

“I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction, and as a parent, I can certainly understand that,” they said.

“Once there’s some more distinct information available I think they’ll make an informed decision then because there’s just not the childcare places to accommodate these families – everybody’s full.

“They’re looking for more care and they’re just not going to find that, especially in the rural area.”

The centre director said the sector had not received any correspondence from regulatory authority Quality Education and Care NT or the Department of Education following the incident.

“Even if it is just ‘look, we are still investigating – when we know something, we will be able to pass that information on’,” they said.

“I think that’s the community frustration out there in Humpty Doo, for sure.”

The Department of Education, which oversees QECNT, has been contacted for comment.

An NT Education spokesman said on Tuesday the department would “consider” any recommendations made by the coroner.

The Humpty Doo childcare centre has not responded to requests for comment.

A NT Police spokesman confirmed their investigation remained ongoing on Thursday and a report was still being prepared for the coroner – eight days after the medical incident.

The Humpty Doo childcare where a girl had a medical incident leading to her death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Workplace safety watchdog launches inquiry into ‘tragic’ toddler death

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the death of a toddler, seven days on from a medical incident at her rural Top End childcare centre.

WorkSafe has also launched an inquiry into the tragic death of the two-year-old.

Emergency services attended the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre on Thursday and took the baby girl to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

She died two days later.

An NT Police spokesman said investigations remained ongoing on Wednesday, seven days after the medical incident.

“The circumstances are believed to be non-suspicious,” he said.

“A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

An NT WorkSafe spokesman said the work health and safety body was also conducting an inquiry.

“NT WorkSafe has commenced an inquiry into the tragic death of a child at a childcare centre, as a childcare centre is a workplace,” he said.

“No further comment will be provided while our inquiry is ongoing.”

This publication understands the centre is federally funded and follows standards set out by the Quality Education and Care Northern Territory, which is responsible for administering the National Quality Framework.

NT Education is not conducting its own review of the incident, with a spokesman saying on Tuesday the department would follow any recommendations made by the coroner.

The rural childcare centre has remained open however parents have raised concerns about the lack of information provided – with some pulling their children out of the facility.

A private childcare service operator, who wanted to remain anonymous, told this publication they had taken a number of calls from parents searching for a new provider since Tuesday.

Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre is listed as “meeting” the National Quality Standard.

Early Childhood Education Minister Dr Anne Aly. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Early Childhood Education Minister Dr Anne Aly said the federal government was “committed” to the safety and wellbeing of all children, including in early childhood education and care.

“This is a devastating situation and I send my most heartfelt condolences,” she said.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while a police investigation is underway.”

How Territory childcare centres compare to national safety standards

The latest Productivity Commission data, which spans 2021-22, shows there were 237 confirmed breaches of national standards across Northern Territory early childhood education and care services.

Almost 200 injuries, traumas and illnesses were recorded, as well as 15 emergency service responses.

There were 32 incidents of a child being locked in/out, taken away or unaccounted for.

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority data, released in July, showed 16 per cent of accredited childcare centres in the Northern Territory did not meet the National Quality Standard – compared to 10.9 per cent nationally.

Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre is listed as ‘meeting’ national quality standards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Flinders University early childhood education lecturer Rachael Hedger, responding to the national ACECQA data, said workforce issues continued to hold back safety and quality standards in childcare.

“When incidents occur in early childhood settings, attention is always drawn to the quality and ratio of staffing at the centre,” she said.

“Questions are raised as to how these incidents occur, and rightly so.

“Any accident where a child is injured, or worse, in an early childhood setting is one incident too many.

“Families need to feel confident that they are always leaving their child in the best possible hands.

“Pay and conditions in early childhood settings continues to be one of the biggest challenges currently facing the sector.”

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth and QECNT have been contacted for comment.

Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre has not responded to requests for comment.