Kiddo’s OSHC & Vacation Care at Ellenbrook fined $25k after seven‑year‑old left on locked bus in 39°C heat

An after school care provider has been fined $25,000 for leaving a seven-year-old on a locked bus on a sweltering 39C day. Kiddo’s OSHC & Vacation Care in Ellenbrook was fined after a pre‑primary child was left on a locked minibus and only discovered by chance by a passing staff member. A Department of Communities investigation revealed child M, who has delayed speech, was the only child onboard the minibus when an educator parked outside the service on the afternoon of March 25 last year The educator did not check the bus before she locked it, leaving them alone in the bus. It was only when another staff member told her that not all children had been signed into the service that the educator conducted a roll call and realised M was missing. A report to the State Administrative Tribunal noted that at the same time, another staff member arrived in a second minibus and spotted M sitting inside the locked vehicle. “As she was walking towards the Service, she heard a “knocking” noise. (The educator) turned around and saw M in the front passenger seat of AC’s bus. M looked visibly distraught - M was crying and red in the face”. The educator then called the staff member who had driven the bus with M, “to tell her that M had been left in the bus and that she needed the keys to get him out”. “On 25 March 2025 the temperature recorded on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website was a maximum 39 degrees Celsius,” the facts read. “M was left in the bus for around five minutes. The bus engine was not running, and the bus was locked when M was found. M was likely at risk of injury if left in the bus for any appreciable period of time.” Although distressed the child was not harmed. Approved provider of Kiddo’s OSHC & Vacation Care - Vanessa Leigh Whittington - told the Tribunal that M’s parents were contacted immediately following the incident. A meeting was organised for the following day where Ms Whittington apologised. The Tribunal heard that since the incident Ms Whittington had made several changes to the transportation of children from school, including making sure buses a physically checked each time they return by someone other than the driver. Department of Communities head of regulation and quality Angelo Barbaro said the incident could have “resulted in a far worse outcome”. “Supervision is the single most important step in keeping children safe. It is non-negotiable.” “There is no substitute for supervision. Services must be vigilant in checking processes and ensuring children disembark transport vehicles safely.” “When services fail to meet their obligations, the Department of Communities takes decisive action as evidenced by this order.”