A Canberra Times article posted on the 13th of April reported the ELC had been under investigation and persons in management and control failed to demonstrate fitness to operate a childcare centre.
Consequently, "On January 18 this year, the regulator decided to impose a condition that required the college to appoint a person with management and control who has the requisite knowledge, understanding and capability to operate an early childhood service. In February the college requested an internal review of the decision, however the internal review affirmed the regulator's decision to impose the condition. An Education Directorate spokeswoman said the college had two weeks from April 17 to comply."
An Appeal was lodged with ACAT by the BCC Board against the Education Directorate imposing this condition. BCC nominated the current Early Learning Centre (ELC) Director, Tammie Brown, as the person in management and control to satisfy the fitness and propriety condition.
The Directorate has confirmed they have accepted the College’s nomination of the ELC Director as satisfying the condition and the concerns of fitness and propriety resolved. (We do not believe she has been required to sit a fitness assessment or reassessment)
It’s understood at least five ELC staff, including the Education Leader, have resigned suddenly in the last fortnight.
MLA Jeremy Hanson (Shadow Education) wrote to Minister Berry early last week on behalf of a number of constituents concerned about welfare of children at the ELC under this new arrangement. To date, no response has been received.
If you have concerns surrounding:
1. the Directorate’s processes surrounding the establishment that fit and proper persons are in management and control over young children in the ELC;
2. the nomination of the person in management and control made by the Brindabella Board; or
3. any child and staff welfare concerns;
please immediately contact:
The Canberra Times: Ph 0428 163 833 sarah.lansdown@canberratimes.com.au
OR
Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) complaintsceca@act.gov.au
AND please cc your email to the following:
Minister for Education Yvette Berry berry@act.gov.au;
ACT Senator Zed Seselja: Senator.Seselja@aph.gov.au; and
MLA Elizabeth Lee lee@parliament.act.gov.au (Canberra liberals)