Day care centre loses funding

A “DODGY” Townsville childcare centre has had its federal government funding cancelled.

Busy Kids Cranbrook Kindergarten and Childcare Centre was one of 53 services across Australia subject to serious enforcement action between October 1 and December 31, 2017.

At the same time Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal had temporarily shut the centre following a spate of incidents, including the smacking of a child, hygiene issues, incomplete records, safety concerns, a lack of appropriately qualified teaching staff, Blue Card issues and problems with first aid supplies.

Education and Training Minister Simon Birmingham said the Turnbull government was cracking down on dodgy family day care providers looking to cheat the system.

“Those dodgy family day care providers who circumvent the rules no longer have anywhere to hide,” Mr Birmingham said.

“If you do the wrong thing we will catch you and the public will know about it.”

The Child Care Enforcement Action Register, which was updated yesterday, shows compliance action by the Department of Education and Training between October 1, and December 31, 2017, led to 53 providers having their access to Commonwealth Government subsidies cancelled or suspended.

“Whilst we know the majority of family day care providers are legitimate and provide high quality care, those who break the rules will be caught and we will do everything in our power to shut you down,” Mr Birmingham said.