Menu issues among problems at HEI Schools, former staff say

Former staff at an embattled childcare chain have reported that despite having a menu with “extensive meal options”, children often received just a Vegemite sandwich.

Former staff at HEI Schools Waurn Ponds have reported that despite having a menu with “extensive meal options”, children often received just a Vegemite sandwich. Picture: Getty Images

Children at an embattled childcare centre advertising extensive meal options were often offered plain vegemite sandwiches, former staff claim.

Earlier this week it was reported that the owner of two Geelong childcare centres, Finnish Early Childhood Education (Australia), had been placed under administration.

HEI Schools in Waurn Ponds and ILO Early Learning Norlane were taken under the operation of WLP Restructuring for an “urgent assessment” of the finances of the centres.

One former lead educator at the Waurn Ponds centre said parents were paying hefty fees for top care but everyday needs like meals were not always met.

“Parents were paying high fees for premium care, yet basic needs were neglected,” the former staff member said.

“While the menu advertised extensive meal options, cooked meals were rare.

“Children frequently received only Vegemite sandwiches for lunch.”

A HEI Schools spokesman said “there may have been temporary challenges” at the centre while their chef was on leave.

They said the issue had, however, been addressed and staff “prioritise providing nutritious and balanced meals to children”.

There are claims about the concerning treatment of both children and staff at some centres.

Other issues have also been raised by former staff.

The former lead educator said she was owed two outstanding superannuation payments, that she worried she would “likely never receive”.

She also alleged the centre was often “overcrowded”.

“My classroom, licensed for 16 children, often had up to 24 children under three years old,” she said.

Another worker, Alice Vecoli, said she worked at HEI Schools Waurn Ponds for 10 months in 2022 and 2023, and left because the centre was “out of ratio”.

At one time 12 children were assigned to just two educators, she said.

For children under two years there should be one educator for every four children.

She also said she experienced issues getting her superannuation paid.

A spokesman for HEI Schools Australia said the company opposed any intentional underpayment, wage theft or non-payment of superannuation.

They also said reports of ratio noncompliance at the centre were thoroughly investigated, and to their knowledge all centres had “consistently operated” within the mandated staffing requirements.

The HEI Schools centre in Waurn Ponds

The new administrators, WLP Restructuring, said they had ensured all employees had been paid, with no wages or entitlements outstanding.

A spokesman said “an experienced external manager” had been appointed to run the centre.

“They are working alongside staff and the centre director, all who have remained employed since the appointment,” he said.

The team are committed to providing the best possible care and support to the children.”

A spokesman for WLP Restructuring said administrators were “well advanced” in the process of selling the centres.

“The administrators are confident they will be in a position to accept an offer from a new operator to acquire the centres in the coming weeks,” he said.

It is a time of turmoil for childcare chains across the country following widespread reports of systemic issues in the sector, as well as a string of financial difficulties at major chains.

Genius Learning, owned by Darren Misquitta, is the latest national chain to have centres put under administration, with WLP Restructuring taking control of the company on Monday.

Darren Misquitta, director of Genius Childcare

One of their centres is Genius Childcare Newcomb, in Geelong’s east.

It is one of 25 childcare centres nationally in the chain to enter voluntary administration following reports of late payments and unpaid super entitlements.

Originally published as Menu issues among problems at HEI Schools, former staff say