Early Learning Company facing charges over alleged incident at Liverpool early learning centre

The operator of a Liverpool early learning service is facing prosecution over alleged breaches of child supervision and safety obligations under the Education and Care Services National Law.

The First Steps Learning Company Pty Ltd has been charged in relation to an alleged incident at its Liverpool centre in July 2025. The charges allege the provider failed to ensure children were adequately supervised and failed to take every reasonable precaution to protect children from harm or hazards likely to cause injury.

The matter is being prosecuted by the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office on behalf of the NSW Early Learning Commissioner. A plea has not yet been entered and the matter is expected to return to court on 29 July 2026.

The case draws renewed attention to two core responsibilities for approved providers: adequate supervision and proactive risk management.

Under the National Law, approved providers must ensure children are adequately supervised at all times. They must also ensure every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children from harm and from hazards likely to cause injury.

For providers, nominated supervisors and service leaders, these obligations extend beyond written policies. Regulators increasingly expect services to demonstrate that supervision arrangements, staffing practices, risk assessments and incident response procedures are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed.

While the allegations remain before the court, the matter provides a timely reminder for services to review key safeguarding systems, including:

• supervision arrangements across indoor and outdoor spaces
• transitions, rest periods, mealtimes and high-risk routines
• educator understanding of serious incident notification requirements
• escalation processes following incidents or concerns
• staffing, breaks and relief coverage
• alignment between policies and everyday practice.

Strong governance requires more than compliance documents. It depends on clear expectations, effective leadership, consistent communication and a culture where risks are identified and addressed early.

The allegations have not been proven.

Source 

The Daily Telegraph, "The First Steps Learning Company facing charges over incident at Liverpool centre".