Dozens of daycare centres have been forced to close their doors after "a litany of compliance issues" were found to risk the safety of children in their care.
Gabow Family Day Care Pty Ltd - which operates 45 family day care residences across Victoria - has been instructed to immediately close all centres for a 90-day suspension.
The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority said it had immediately suspended the company for "a litany of compliance issues which created immediate risk to the safety of children".
Inspections were carried out in May with an emergency action notice issued to Gabow on June 11 after four of its educators were found to not hold the required qualifications.
"Those educators were required to cease educating and caring for children until appropriately qualified," the regulator said in a statement on Friday.
A further 23 breaches of national law and regulations were identified.
Compliance breaches included not ensuring the safety of residences, fencing and furniture, storage of hazardous materials, training of staff and authorisation of transport activities.
The regular said the number and wide range of failings meant it would not be in the best interests of children for the centres to continue operating.
Victorian Early Childhood Regulator Wendy Steendam said Gabow had been suspended from operating for 90 days.
"Immediately suspending a provider is a decision which impacts the childcare arrangements of parents and caregivers, but we make this decision because we know they wouldn't want us to compromise on safety," she said.
"It was clear to VECRA that Gabow has failed the children and families who rely on its services, as well as the educators who worked for it."
Gabow has been directed to provide written notice to the parents and carers of all children enrolled at its centre, advising them of the decision.
The early learning sector is going through a major shake-up after horrific allegations of abuse emerged in 2025, with dozens of providers facing sanctions.
