Local centres have reported a handful of inquiries from the displaced families in the days following the suspension, but nothing close to the surge some may have predicted from a competitor’s closure.
Ignite Minds operates three family day care services in Shepparton, which are part of a wider network of 65 sites across Melbourne, Shepparton and Bendigo.
The sites were suspended following a three-day compliance blitz by the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority.
Unlike traditional centre-based care, family day care is provided out of the educator’s residential home, meaning the closure has now scattered many local families rather than simply emptying one building.
VECRA’s investigation highlighted allegations of unsafe sleep practices, inadequate supervision, unsafe environments and inadequate care of children with medical conditions.
These allegations come after earlier, unresolved concerns about fencing, safe sleep and strangulation risks.
Four educators were also suspended following allegations of posing risks to children’s safety, but it has not been confirmed which sites they’ve come from.
Ignite Minds was directed to notify all enrolled families in writing that it could no longer provide education and care during the suspension.
The family day care provider’s possible return is dated for November 19, but dependent on whether the provider can resolve all its “serious breaches” to the satisfaction of VECRA.
Until then, Shepparton’s childcare sector can expect to see numbers slowly trickle in, with enrolments and spaces still available.
