The action came after a three-day compliance operation was conducted across 30 residences operated by the provider.
Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority authorised officers observed evidence of harm and hazards posing serious risks to children’s safety and wellbeing.
Some of the alleged breaches observed were unsafe sleep practices, inadequate supervision, unsafe environments and inadequate care of children with medical conditions.
VECRA has now suspended all 65 sites of the service provider across Melbourne, Shepparton and Bendigo, along with four educators, following allegations that they pose a risk to children’s safety.
Victorian early childhood regulator Wendy Steendam said the decision, while disruptive was necessary.
“It was clear to VECRA that this provider has failed the children and families who rely on its service, as well as the educators who worked for it,” she said.
“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.
“Family day care providers are on notice.”
In addition to these new allegations, the early childhood regulator has previously raised concerns and taken enforcement actions about fencing, safe sleep and strangulation risks.
Those concerns have remained unresolved and were considered in VERCA’s decision to suspend the ability of the family day care provider to continue trading.
Ignite Minds has since been directed to provide written notice to parents and carers of all children enrolled with its service that it will no longer be available to provide education and care during the closure period.
The closure came into effect from 5pm on Friday.
While the 90-day suspension is temporary, the reopening, scheduled for November 19, is dependent on whether Ignite Minds fixes all the ‘serious breaches’ identified to the satisfaction of VECRA.
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