A Carindale childcare centre, Citipointe Childcare, has been fined $18,000 after a toddler went missing in bushland on an excursion in Brisbane.
The childcare centre is affiliated with Citipointe Christian College, which made news earlier this year after the school issued families with a controversial enrolment contract, demanding students denounce homosexuality and affirm the gender assigned to them at birth, or risk being excluded from the school.
On April 22, 2021, the 21-month-old child went missing on a bushland excursion that was run by Citipointe Childcare's Carindale branch.
"The child was missing after a group had returned from a supervised bush play incursion on the Citipointe campus," a statement from Citipointe Childcare (also known as Christian Outreach Centre) said.
"All children were accounted for by staff back at the centre and the child went missing after their initial safe return.
"We have apologised to the parents and the child and we regret that this incident took place as we value every child in our care."
Passing driver saw toddler wandering outside childcare centre
A member of the public who had been driving around the area found the toddler between 10 and 20 minutes later, the Department of Education said.
The department — which regulates childcare services in Queensland — took legal action against Citipointe Childcare for "failing to provide children with adequate supervision and protection from harm or hazard".
Citipointe Childcare pleaded guilty to the charge in the Holland Park Magistrates Court today and was fined $18,000.
No conviction was recorded.
"This prosecution, once again, sends a clear message to all approved providers that they have an overriding responsibility to ensure they protect the children in their care from harm and ensure they are adequately supervised," the department said.
Acting Magistrate Rowan Silva said it was concerning that the missing child was located outside the fence of the centre, without supervision or protection, and could have been placed in further danger if they hadn't been found.
The magistrate highlighted the need for the service to improve its procedures and training.
He also acknowledged the centre's long history of providing care and its willingness to work with the Department of Education to improve future outcomes.
"We have conducted an internal review of our processes and staff training to ensure that an incident such as this will not take place in the future," Citipointe Childcare said in a statement.
Citipointe Christian College was widely criticised in the wake of its enrolment contract controversy, including by Education Minister Grace Grace, parents, alumni and the LGBT Legal Service.
The contract was later withdrawn and principal Brian Mulheran resigned.
