The Brat Pack in Malak: Territory regulator shuts Darwin childcare service after boy left on bus
A Darwin after school care program has been abruptly shut by the Territory regulator due to a ‘serious incident’ in which a child was left on a bus – leaving the operator ‘distraught’.
Education
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A northern suburbs after school care program has been abruptly shut by the Territory regulator due to a “serious incident” in which a child was left on a bus.
Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) temporarily suspended The Brat Pack’s service approval as of Tuesday after a child was left on a bus outside the Malak facility in the afternoon of April 15.
Owner of The Brat Pack George Kalidonis told this masthead the boy, aged 6, was left on the bus after school pick up for about 30 to 40 minutes following a “human error”.
“It was not a procedural or process error — it was human error,” Mr Kalidonis said.
“The carers did not physically walk the bus.
“The staff members are distraught and devastated.
“They are more than apologetic — all three of them.”
Mr Kalidonis said the staff members would face consequences, including from the regulator QECNT.
The boy was reportedly sleeping and failed to exit the bus, which Mr Kalidonis said was parked in the shade under trees.
When the boy woke up, he was not in distress or suffering any symptoms of heat stroke, according to Mr Kalidonis.
“The parents were absolutely amazing and understanding,” he said.
“I spoke to them straight away that day and have continued to communicate with them.
“The mother has supported us through the QECNT investigation process, too.”
QECNT issued the temporary suspension on Tuesday using section 73 of the Education and Care Services Act.
Section 73 allows regulators to “suspend the service approval without giving the approved provider a show cause notice under section 71 if the Regulatory Authority is satisfied that there is an immediate risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of a child or children being educated and cared for by the education and care service”.
Mr Kalidonis said he was complying with the regulators and hoped to reopen the centre soon.
“I have been operating for 19 years, not once have we done this. It’s not something that happens ever,” he said.
“I absolutely wish this had never happened.
“We will try our best to foolproof this system even further, which we thought was foolproof.
“The Brat Pack is happy and appreciative of the support given by all our parents and community.”
An NT Department of Education and Training spokesperson said the wellbeing and health of children in NT childcare services was “always the priority”.
“Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) as the Regulatory Authority within the department has immediately suspended the service The Brat Pack NT, operated by GJ Kalidonis and NJ Wright due to a serious incident and breach of the National Law and Education and Care Services National Regulations,” they said.
QECNT confirmed they were investigating, and that The Brat Pack’s service would be unable to operate “until such time that the suspension is lifted”.
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