Latest news with #Klemzig
ABC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Parents of Klemzig early learning centre speak out amid investigation
Parents at an Adelaide early learning centre under investigation have shared mixed views, as data reveals a number of centres have failed to comply with national laws since June. The Education Standards Board (ESB) is investigating Little Shining Stars Early Learning Centre at Klemzig over the taking and storing of children's images to evidence nappy rash and minor injuries. But the regulator said police found no evidence to warrant a criminal investigation. A father whose child attended the site in Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs said his child had their photo taken by staff members but he had no concerns. "I'm not that worried because I have seen how good they are taking care of my baby," he said. "At one instance they have taken a photo of my baby, it is for my reference only and I have full trust on them." A mother said her child would not attend the service after today. "Quite disgusted, what kind of world do you think you're in to be taking photos of other children's genitals, just for documenting purposes," she said. "That's where you verbally notify the parents." Another mother at the centre said she was not worried about her child's safety. "Our concern is a personal phone, but they say it's not a personal [device] it's an official iPad, they said they took that to show to the parents or something like that, if that is the case I'm not concerned," she said. SA Education Minister Blair Boyer said educators at the Klemzig site used "centre-owned iPads" and not personal devices to take the photos. "There were concerns from some parents that nappy rash was being caused by practices at the centre and the staff felt in some cases, children were presenting at the start of the day with nappy rash so were documenting that — again totally inappropriate and should not have happened," Mr Boyer said. Mr Boyer said the matter was brought to light after a parent made a complaint about a separate issue of children being tapped on the head in efforts to soothe them during nap times. As a result, the centre sacked three workers. Four other Little Shining Stars services — at Pooraka, Virginia, Evanston and Wayville — have also been served emergency action notices, of which they have been ordered to comply with certain conditions in line with national regulations. Little Shining Stars said in statement on Tuesday it had reviewed and amended some of its procedures "to strengthen our compliance and practices". The ESB said the investigation was ongoing and other regulatory action, including prosecution, may be taken when it ends. Mr Boyer said the ESB's investigation was "thorough" and it acted quickly, adding that a funding increase led to increased inspections across the state by the regulator. "That means information that families have around where a centre might be on that chart of national quality standards is more up-to-date information," he said. The minister said the last time Little Shining Stars sites were assessed was in 2021. On the ESB website, seven other childcare centres and a primary school have been listed since June for failing to comply with different provisions of the Education and Care Services National Regulations. The service providers are: Mr Boyer did not reveal details of those incidents and said whether parental notifications were made at those sites depended on the ESB. "Decisions around whether or not emergency action notices need to be issued, like they were for Little Shining Stars, are a decision for the regulator to make," he said. "They are supposed to be assessed and rated every three years and we are trying to support the regulator to actually moved to be able to do that." More money was invested in the ESB in 2023, which has seen service visits rise by 63 per cent on the previous year, and staffing levels double.
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Klemzig early learning centre under investigation over storage of children's images
An Adelaide early learning centre is under investigation for taking and storing images of children's injuries and nappy rash, but police say no criminal charges have been laid. The state's Education Standards Board (ESB) chief executive Benn Gramola said the investigation began when they received a complaint "of inappropriate discipline" in early May from a parent whose child attended the Little Shining Stars Early Learning Centre. He said as part of that investigation, ESB officers found "photos taken of children in care to evidence nappy rash and minor scratches and grazes" at the Klemzig centre. "The concern with that is obviously we don't consider that appropriate," he said. "There's a small number of images that were identified as part of our investigation and the service is being proactive in helping us and being cooperative with us. "We believed this is a misguided arrangement or process to evidence injury or nappy rash within the service. We don't believe there is any malicious intent with this." The ESB seized those devices and referred the matter to SA Police, who Mr Gramola said found no evidence to warrant criminal charges. The ESB issued an emergency action notice and directed Little Shining Stars services to notify the families of each child enrolled during times when the photos were taken as well as engage a counselling service for the children and their families. It also directed the centre to reset all service devices and permanently delete the images. The centre was also ordered to amend their policies and procedures to ensure they were in line with national regulations. The ESB further issued emergency action notice to four other Little Shining Stars centres at Pooraka, Virginia, Wayville and Evanston regarding the practice of taking and storing images evidencing injuries. The ESB also said the service provider had terminated the employment of three female workers following the parent's complaint that children were being tapped on the head during nap times. The ABC has contacted the centre for a formal response. ESB chief executive Benn Gramola said the Little Shining Stars incident was considered "isolated". "I want to reassure families that children's safety remains our highest priority," he said. "I encourage staff, families, and members of the public to report any concerns or complaints about early childhood education and care services to the Education Standards Board." The ESB said the investigation was continuing and other regulatory action, including prosecution, may be taken when it ends. More money was invested in the ESB in 2023, which has seen service visits rise by 63 per cent on the previous year, and staffing levels double.
