Child safety campaign
A HAUNTING new campaign has been launched in a bid to prevent children being left behind in buses after a three-year-old tragically died on a childcare vehicle at the start of this year.
The Queensland Government’s new Look Before You Lock campaign promotes the importance of early childhood services taking every possible chance to ensure children in their care are transported safely.
It comes after the tragic death of a three-year-old who was found dead in an Edmonton Goodstart Early Learning vehicle in February.
As part of the campaign, a video shows the face of a young child trapped behind the window of a vehicle before the screen blackens and reads “Look Before You Lock. Every time. Without fail.”
Education Minister Grace Grace said the social media campaign would be complemented with new stickers that would be placed in every vehicle that transports children across the state.
“Every day, families across Queensland rely on early childhood services and transport operators to transport their children safely,” Ms Grace said.
“Services must be vigilant of the possible dangers when transporting children and have strategies in place to manage any risks and protect the children in their care.
“The death of a young boy in Cairns earlier this year is a tragedy that cannot be repeated.”
Seven per cent of all serious incidents reported at early education centres around the country were cases of “missing and unaccounted children,” up from 6.6 per cent in 2017-2018, and up 5.5 per cent from 2016-2017, according to the Australian Children’s Education & Care Authority annual reports.
And 1.3 per cent of all serious incidents involved a child either being locked in or out of the service, up from 0.9 per cent in 2016-17, according to the latest annual report.
Ms Grace said the campaign would also highlight new guidance that maps out the essential steps services should follow before, during and after any vehicle journey.
“This is all about keeping Queensland children safe,” she said. “Parents also need to be made aware of what they can expect from early childhood services who are transporting their children.”