Albury childcare centre shut down as safety probe launched - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Kidscape Early Learning Centre in Albury has been forced to shut for six months. (ABC News: Philippe Perez)

The NSW Early Learning Commission has ordered Kidscape Early Learning Centre in East Albury to shut for six months over alleged safety risks.

Authorised officers visited the centre many times over two years and issued several compliance actions, the commission said.

The commission says an investigation is underway.

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.

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

Daryl Currie says families in need of assistance can reach out the the commission. (Supplied: NSW Early Learning Commission)

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.

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.

The centre is under investigation. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Philippe Perez)

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.