NT childcare centres warned to ‘fix their act fast’ under new crackdown in wake of Ebony’s death
A 22-month-old toddler’s tragic death – and her parents’ unimaginable grief – is the impetus for a new government crackdown, in which Territory childcare centres are being warned to ‘fix their act fast’.
The tragic death of a beloved 22-month-old toddler – who an inquest found was left unsupervised in a playground for around 10 minutes – and her parents’ unimaginable grief have informed a new NT government crackdown on childcare centres, which are being told to “fix their act fast”.
NT Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey will announce the crackdown on Monday, close to two months after NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage delivered her findings from the inquest into the death of Ebony Thompson.
“Let me be clear – breaches of safety and quality will not be tolerated anywhere in the Northern Territory,” Mrs Hersey said.
“Child safety is no accident. It requires constant vigilance, strong laws, and a shared commitment from all of us – government, educators, and communities alike.
“Childcare centres need to be held accountable, and I will not hesitate to take action against providers who do not meet National Quality Standards.”
Young Ebony was left unsupervised for just under 10 minutes in the Humpty Doo Community and Child Care Centre on August 31, 2023, Ms Armitage wrote in her findings.
She was found unconscious and unresponsive by staff, turning blue and hanging from the hoops of a high hip gate.
She died two days later from a severe hypoxic brain injury.
At the beginning of November, the Humpty Doo childcare centre and three workers were charged following the death, Mrs Hersey confirmed on November 11.
Centre director Rachel Lee Marsh will have her first court mention on December 17, with Mrs Hersey also confirming two other workers were facing charges.
Ms Lee Marsh was not required to appear when her matter was mentioned on November 6.
The MacDonnell Regional Council will also front Alice Springs court on Monday after being charged following an unrelated drowning death in Kintore in 2020.
On December 2, 2020, two-year-old Kumanjayi Jurrah was left behind at the town’s pool during a field trip from the early learning centre.
Ms Lee Marsh, the childcare centre, and the two other workers have all been charged with breaching the Commonwealth Education and Care Services National Law Act.
Meanwhile, the council faces three category two charges for breaches of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011.
Mrs Hersey said she met with Ebony’s parents, Jade and Floyd, describing their pain as “unimaginable”.
“Centres not meeting National Quality Standards need to fix their act fast,” Mr Hersey said.
The crackdown is part of a new four-pillar plan by the Territory government, focused on strengthened accountability, meaningful engagement, targeted investment, and continuous improvement.
Within the four pillars, Quality Education and Care NT will be overhauled “to ensure alignment with priorities and to enhance regulatory oversight,” the Early Childhood Safe Start, Strong Futures plan states.
Through this, every regulated service will need to meet quality area two: children’s health and safety by June 30, 2026, according to the plan, while by the end of next year, there will be an improvement in the percentage of approved education and care services rated either ‘meeting’ or ‘exceeding’ the national quality standard of 85 per cent of higher.
Other parts of the plan include increasing funding, boosting the workforce through the support of staff obtaining relevant qualifications, and registering early childhood teachers.
In handing down her findings into the toddler’s tragic death, Ms Armitage recommended a review of the National Quality Framework fencing standards.
“After reading the coronial report, I immediately wrote to the Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, and to Senator Jess Walsh, calling for a review of national laws around suitable fencing in early childhood services,” Mrs Hersey said.
“I have since received a letter from Senator Walsh confirming this issue will be on the agenda for the National Education Ministers’ Meeting in February 2026.
“At present, there are no national standards for fencing height or type and that must change.”
Originally published as NT childcare centres warned to ‘fix their act fast’ under new crackdown in wake of Ebony’s death
