Department of Education probes ‘troubled’ Kidscape Lara kindergarten after ‘violent behaviour’

The department of education is investigating a kindergarten in Lara, following multiple parent complaints and ‘extreme violent behaviour’ among children.

Kidscape Lara is under investigation following multiple employee and parent complaints and violent behaviour among children

A Lara kindergarten is under investigation by the Department of Education following reports of “extreme” violence among children.

Kidscape chief executive officer Glenn Nguyen said the group’s Lara centre was being investigated by department’s early childhood regulator.

The kinder formerly operated as HEI Lara Centre and was bought by Vantage Education for $1.2m in 2024 after it was forced into liquidation.

It’s understood since the takeover multiple complaints have been made by both employees and parents regarding the centre’s management.

Mr Nguyen said taking over an existing childcare service under liquidation came with significant challenges.

“Some children exhibited extreme violent behaviour, including biting, which led to injuries,” he said.

Mr Nguyen said where behaviour could not be safely managed, Kidscape had made “difficult but necessary” decisions.

He said some educators had left, while others had been “managed out due to poor practices”.

“We uphold higher professional standards,” he said.

A Department of Education spokeswoman confirmed parents had submitted complaints about the kindergarten.

“The safety of children is our number one priority, and our early childhood regulator takes all notifications seriously,” she said.

“As the incident is under investigation, we are unable to comment further.”

A current employee, who did not wish to be named, said since Kidscape took over the centre in January there had been ongoing issues with violence.

“Staff are getting attacked,” they said.

“We’re told we’re not allowed to intervene.

“They’ve been biting us, scratching us, and children too.

The employee said two children were recently “expelled”.

“(The children) needed extra support, that’s why they are being aggressive,” she said.

The staff member said some children with challenging behaviour were struggling to adapt to a less structured style of learning under the new management.

“We used to have structure, reading and international teaching,” she said.

“Now we have nothing.”

A parent at the kindergarten, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was scared for her child’s safety.

“It’s out of control,” she said.

“Kids are running wild, bullying, scratching.

“My kid came home with scratches and the (educators) wouldn’t tell me why.

“I had to take my child out for a few days as she was getting bitten and pushed constantly and the educators were told not to intervene.”

The mum said parents collectively complained to the centre about the bullying and were told it would put in measures.

Another parent, Mara Taylor, left a one star google review on the kindergarten, criticising the new management for not implementing any learning structure.

“Don’t enrol your kids here,” she said.

“They are definitely not 4/5 stars now that they have changed over to Kidscape!

“Wish I could rate them a minus 5.”

Originally published as Department of Education probes ‘troubled’ Kidscape Lara kindergarten after ‘violent behaviour’