A Queensland child care provider has been found guilty of failing to protect and supervise children in its care, following an incident at one of its centres on the Gold Coast last year.
In October 2020, two toddlers escaped the Okeedokee Kids Coomera Rivers child care centre and were spotted and stopped by passers-by just before running onto a busy street.
Dashcam footage captured the moment the toddlers were running along Foxwell Road before a woman and school children came to their aid.
On Monday in the Southport Magistrates Court, Okeedokee Kids Pty Ltd was found guilty of four charges and fined $15,600 over the incident.
The charges included failing to adequately supervise children, failing to protect children from harm, failing to ensure policies and procedures are followed and for children leaving an education service premises.
The first two charges each resulted in a fine of $7,500, while the latter charges brought fines of $300 each.
In a statement, the Department of Education, which took legal action against the service, said it welcomed the penalties imposed and that they reflected the seriousness of the offences.
"The prosecution sends a strong message to all approved providers about their responsibilities to closely supervise and protect the children in their care from risk of harm," the statement said.
"In setting the fine, the magistrate considered the defendant's remorse, cooperation with the regulatory authority and its prompt response to the incident.
"It is critical that everyone involved in the provision of education and care to children is aware of the importance of active supervision, and this case shows the serious consequences that can result when children are not adequately supervised."
A department spokesperson said supervision policies and procedures were its priority due to the risk of harm to children if not complied with.
The department said it would continue to work with the early childhood education and care sector to promote the supervision and protecting of children from harm.
