Two childcare workers at Busy Bees daycare centre in Mirrabooka, Perth, have been suspended as the facility investigates an incident where a baby was left alone for over 30 minutes after hours.
On August 12, a mother arrived to pick up her 16-month-old child only to find the daycare centre’s lights off and no one answering the emergency contact numbers. After 40 minutes, she finally reached someone by phone. When staff arrived at the centre, they discovered the child sleeping alone in a cot.
Busy Bees has placed the two staff members on suspension while a “comprehensive internal review” is conducted.
“We respect the privacy of the family involved and have been supporting them directly,” Busy Bees said in a statement to 9 News. “The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is our top priority. We are taking this matter very seriously and are reviewing our policies and procedures thoroughly.”
This incident follows another concerning event earlier this year when a toddler at the same centre pricked herself with a needle. In 2021, the centre was fined $14,000 after a three-year-old child escaped unnoticed.
Busy Bees has been contacted for further comment.