Albury childcare centre shut down as safety probe launched

An East Albury childcare service has been shut down for six months by the New South Wales independent regulator due to safety concerns.

The NSW Early Learning Commission suspended the service approval for Kidscape Early Learning Centre on Thursday due to several breaches.

"In this case there had been numerous incidences where we had to take compliance action and it's come to the situation, after a visit the other day, that we believed that the service was not performing in a way that was safe for children," NSW Early Learning Commissioner Daryl Currie said.

"Over the last two years [we visited] on a regular basis and there have been numerous compliance actions taken because of the circumstances that we have seen there.

"We will choose short-term inconvenience over possible long-term trauma and harm, every day of the week."

The commissioner said insufficient supervision, failure to safeguard children from harm and hazards and maintaining unsafe indoor and outdoor environments were causes of concern.

The centre also lacked awareness of child protection legislation and reporting obligations and had inadequate staff induction procedures, the commission said.

The regulator was also concerned as to whether resources being used at the service were age appropriate.

Mr Currie said he understood the impact the closure would have on Albury families, but decisive action had to be taken.

"We acknowledge in the commission, and I personally acknowledge, that this is a difficult time for parents and we understand the inconvenience that closing a centre has for parents," he said.

"We assist parents wherever we can in helping them to find alternative services in the area, [and] helping them to source vacancies."

Families in need of support are being urged to refer to the Starting Blocks website or contact the commission.

Centre apologises to parents

A notice on the front of the centre notified parents that it would not be open.

"No children can be accepted into care while the service is closed," the notice reads.

"We understand the significant disruption this causes our children and families and sincerely apologise for the short notice.

"We are awaiting formal written information from the Commission and will communicate directly with families as further details become available."

The ABC has requested further comment from Kidscape Early Learning Albury.

Vantage Education, based in the Melbourne suburb of Cremorne, is the provider that runs the Albury centre.

It also oversees centres under the Kidscape name in Caboolture, Ballarat, Dubbo and Lara, near Geelong.

Its website says its childcare educators "hold recognised early childhood education qualifications and participate in ongoing professional development".

The NSW Early Learning Commission was established in December 2025 after an independent review and oversees more than 6,000 services.