A mould infestation and roof leaks have caused a Broadmeadow childcare centre to be shut for more than a month, but the type of fungus found has been kept secret.
The Rumpus Room Darling Street centre, owned by Guardian Childcare and Education, has been closed since July 10.
A parent has raised concerns about the health effects of the mould on children, amid concern that Guardian and the NSW government will not reveal the types of mould found.
They also haven't revealed data on mould levels at the centre, but the company said it was "within acceptable levels."
"What is considered a reasonable level of mould for a childcare centre? No one has explained what the actual level of exposure was, what types of mould have been found, or how long it had been occurring," the parent said.
"Someone's job is to ask and answer that question, yet nobody has. How is this acceptable? Isn't the entire purpose of the childcare system to protect children's health and safety?"
A Guardian email, seen by the Newcastle Herald, said a child who attended the centre from 2022 to early 2025 had tests that showed "elevated levels of mycophenolic acid", a mycotoxin linked to exposure to "certain types of mould".
Research shows these mould types are Penicillium and Aspergillus species, which can cause health problems for susceptible people.
The parent has lodged a freedom of information (FOI) request with the NSW Department of Education, seeking information about the mould and asbestos.
Asbestos was found in samples from building waste beneath the childcare centre.
The department has delayed the FOI application to consult with Guardian.
A department letter to the parent said on June 18 that Guardian "may wish to contend that the requested documents are exempt because their release would disclose trade secrets or commercially valuable information or may adversely affect their business or financial affairs".
The NSW Early Learning Commission is the regulator for childcare in NSW. It reports directly to the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car.
The commission's register of enforcement actions showed the Broadmeadow centre was issued with a compliance notice under national law and regulations on March 10.
The notice related to concerns about health and hygiene, water damage and prevention of harm and hazards at the centre.
A spokesperson from the commission said the Broadmeadow centre "will not operate while remediation works are under way".
"The commission will monitor the service's compliance with this notice to ensure concerns are resolved before it can reopen," the spokesperson said.
"There is no evidence to suggest any child has been involved in an incident that caused them harm at this service."
Guardian chief executive Warren Bright told families in a June 26 email that "the centre has experienced water leaks and other building-related issues for some time".
Mr Bright wrote that this was "largely due to the age and condition of the building".
Guardian refused to reveal the type of mould found at the Broadmeadow centre. The company owns more than 170 childcare centres across Australia.
A Guardian spokesperson said the centre was temporarily closed while investigations were done to "determine the repair work needed following ongoing roof leaks and water damage".
"Mould has been identified in parts of the building, including ceiling cavities," the spokesperson said.
"Prior to the closure, regular airborne mould testing was undertaken in occupied areas of the centre, with results within acceptable levels as determined by our external specialists."
The Guardian spokesperson said "mitigation measures were also put in place based on specialist advice".
"Given the investigation and anticipated level of repair works required, we made the decision to temporarily close the centre.
"We are working closely with the landlord and external specialists to determine the full scope of works required."
The spokesperson added that "we do not currently have a confirmed reopening date".
The Broadmeadow childcare centre was also closed in November last year.
On November 12, Guardian portfolio manager Rhiannon Sumner said in an email to parents that "specialist inspections have confirmed the presence of mould in the nursery and toddler spaces".
On November 21, Ms Sumner said in an email to parents that the remediation works were complete.
"All safety checks have now been carried out, and we have confirmation that the rooms are safe, ready and resourced for reopening," she wrote.
The commission issued a compliance notice to the centre in March, after it conducted an assessment in January that led to the centre's health and safety rating being downgraded.
The parent noted that, despite this, the centre was allowed to continue operating.
The parent made a subsequent complaint to the commission, which said on May 29 it was "ready to close the case".
"Yet by July, the childcare centre was closed again because of mould," the parent said.
