From 1 March 2023, new regulatory requirements applied to centre-based services that provide regular transportation.
In the past fortnight, there have been two incidents reported of children being left in an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service bus for extended periods.
Transportation of children can present increased risks to safety of children, when they get in or out of vehicles, and when they arrive at or leave a service—with significant consequences.
Under the requirements, approved providers must:
- Ensure a staff member or nominated supervisor, who is not the driver, accounts for and makes a record of children as they get in or out of a vehicle at a service.
- Ensure records are made confirming a completed check of the inside of a vehicle at the service, after all children have left to ensure no children remain.
- Notify the regulatory authority when they start providing or arranging regular transport, and again when they finish, which can be done via the National Quality Agenda IT System.
A $2,000 penalty may apply for failing to meet these requirements.
Read more about the new requirements on ACECQA’s website.