FOI documents expose shocking incidents in the nation’s most dysfunctional childcare system
FOI documents have exposed serious failings in the nation’s most dysfunctional childcare system – including twin girls so upset they feel they’ve lost their “magic” connection.
Two twin girls left unsupervised and distressed in separate incidents weeks apart – now they say they’ve lost their “magic” connection. A child suffered a fractured thumb, but parents weren’t notified. Another needed ambulance treatment after falling two metres from a playground in an accident no educators witnessed.
These are just some of the serious incidents which occurred in the nation’s most dysfunctional childcare system.
In the Northern Territory, one in five centres fail to meet National Quality Standards (NQS) meant to keep children safe.
Exclusive Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by this masthead exposed these incidents and more at a number of services operated out of NT schools in Darwin’s northern suburbs across six months.
The revelations come just days after NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage released her findings on the tragic death of 22-month-old Ebony Thompson at a Top End childcare centre in 2023.
The coroner found the little girl was out of sight for under 10 minutes, in which time she likely hanged herself on a loop-top fence at a known blind spot in the centre.
In light of recent incidents, the NT Education Minister Jo Hersey has put the Territory’s Education Department and childcare regulator Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) “on notice” and told them to “lift their game immediately”.
The magic twins
On March 7, 2025, a Darwin father arrived at Millner Preschool to pick up his twin daughters.
“When (the father) arrived he could not find (one of the daughters) and began to look worried,” a QECNT case report states.
The girl was found minutes later, crying in a locked toilet after an accident.
The report states she had trouble sleeping afterwards and would wake up most nights and not want to leave her parents.
But this was not an isolated incident – 19 days later at the same preschool, the other twin was left unsupervised for 45 minutes.
A QECNT investigation found the second twin was abandoned at 9.15am on March 26 following a headcount error and found standing at the preschool gate at 10am.
She later told educators at another centre she was “scared and worried”.
Devastatingly, the twins said they felt “their magic has been lost” because they did not tell educators the other twin was missing.
The parents swiftly pulled the twins from Millner Preschool as they had “lost trust in the service” and were “scared of what the next phone call (would) be”.
The regulator confirmed a number of breaches in relation to these two incidents and issued compliance actions.
Millner Preschool is rated as meeting the NQS.
Fractured thumb and no note
This masthead’s investigation uncovered more incidents at Leanyer Primary School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC).
On January 17, 2025, a boy came home with a swollen hand, but parents were not notified of any injury despite educators giving the boy first aid, QECNT found.
Ten days later, the parents took the boy to Royal Darwin Hospital where it was discovered his thumb was fractured.
QECNT took compliance action against the provider and confirmed three breaches.
The regulator found on May 1 at 5pm, a boy was mistakenly marked as signed out, but was located 25 minutes later playing outside alone.
The mother expressed “no concerns” with the service and said her son was “oblivious” to being left abandoned.
QECNT took compliance action against the provider and confirmed three breaches.
Leanyer Primary School OSHC is rated as working towards the NQS.
Eight days of havoc
On May 28, 2025, at Jingili OSHC and Vacation Care, a girl fell two metres from the top of the playground and landed on her back, resulting in an ambulance callout.
The regulator and parents commended educators on their response, but alarmingly no one witnessed the fall.
No breaches were confirmed in this incident.
In a separate incident on May 22, a mother complained to QECNT after her daughter allegedly suffered a head collision which no staff witnessed.
The mother also said she was not provided with an incident report, leading to the regulator finding the service committed three breaches.
On May 30, a boy was unaccounted for about 1.5 hours, according to the regulator.
A QECNT report said the boy arrived at after school care at 2.45pm, but due to a misunderstanding believed he was not on the list and made his way to the school pick up area.
He was eventually picked up by his mother at 3.10pm and was in her company for the remainder of the afternoon.
It was not until 4.16-4.20pm that the centre noticed his absence and called the parents, according to a statement made to QECNT.
The regulator found the error was due to the boy’s initial misunderstanding and staff relying on a headcount rather than a roll call.
QECNT confirmed two breaches.
Jingili OSHC and Vacation Care is rated as working towards the NQS.
The approved provider for Jingili told this masthead the service had undertaken a number of reforms and reviews since the incidents.
“We have undertaken a comprehensive review of our policies, risk assessments, and daily practices to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all children,” Tamina Strochnetter said.
“This includes strengthening supervision and attendance processes, improving communication between staff and families, and conducting professional development sessions to upskill our educators.
“With the ongoing guidance and support of QECNT, we continue to refine and improve our practices to minimise potential risks.”
Minister talks tough
NT Education Department chief executive Susan Bowden said “the safety and wellbeing of children in our childcare centres remains our top priority”.
Ms Bowden said ultimately responsibility for quality care lay with providers.
“While QECNT provides support and guidance on compliance with the National Law and Regulations, quality education delivery and improvement remain the responsibility of the approved providers, nominated supervisors and family day care educators,” she said.
Ms Bowden said the department was also developing a “comprehensive plan to reduce breaches” in the sector.
NT Education Minister Jo Hersey said it was time for the regulator to “lift their game immediately” given the sheer number of breaches and centres not meeting quality standards.
“It is clear the QECNT are not following their policies and procedures,” Mrs Hersey said.
“The care and protection of children is paramount and I’ve put the department and QECNT on notice.”
Behind the scenes, sources have said the minister is frustrated with QECNT and is developing a plan to overhaul the department and ramp up compliance activity.
Have a childcare story to expose? Email us confidentially at education@news.com.au
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Originally published as FOI documents expose shocking incidents in the nation’s most dysfunctional childcare system
