An investigation has been launched and a childcare educator has been stood down after a grandfather mistakenly picked up and took home the wrong toddler from First Steps Learning Academy in Bangor, Sydney. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when the grandfather arrived to collect his grandchild but was reportedly given the wrong child, who was sleeping at the time.
The mistake was only realised when the boy's mother arrived to collect her one-year-old and found he was not at the centre. The mother expressed her distress, stating she could not explain the feeling of learning her child had been taken by a stranger. She said she did not blame the grandfather but held the daycare responsible.
The grandfather's wife said her husband was 'devastated' by the error and returned the child quickly upon realising the mistake. She noted that the room was dark and children were sleeping when he arrived. The New South Wales Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority is conducting a thorough investigation, and NSW police have been notified, though no police investigation has been recorded.
Trisha Hastie, the approved provider of First Steps Learning Academy, apologised for the distress caused, describing the incident as 'isolated'. She stated that strict protocols were not followed correctly and that the educator involved has been stood down. The centre has strengthened its procedures to prevent a recurrence.
The incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of Australia's early childhood sector following recent allegations of abuse and neglect in other centres. However, no such allegations have been made against First Steps Learning Academy in Bangor.
