Melbourne childcare centre faces safety breaches after balcony access and evacuation plan failures
Consensus Summary
The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) issued an emergency action notice to Woodlands St Kilda Road childcare centre after inspectors found unsafe fencing on a 12th-floor outdoor play area that could allow children to access a balustrade, risking serious harm or fatal falls. The centre, located in a 13-storey building at 11 St Kilda Road, was also found lacking a specific emergency evacuation plan for 14 children under 2 years old. VECRA ordered the centre to close the rooftop play area and rectify the issues, with fines up to $103,000 possible for non-compliance. Both sources agree the centre operates under Woodlands Childcare and Education, which has multiple locations across Victoria, and that the centre was rated 'working towards national quality standards' in May 2026. While ABC emphasizes the urgency of the safety breach and the lack of an evacuation plan, THEAGE provides additional context, including the centre's unique 'hero playscape' and Woodlands' response that modifications were already underway. The incident highlights broader concerns about safety in Victorian childcare centres, with a recent report noting rising serious incidents involving children.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Woodlands St Kilda Road childcare centre was issued an emergency action notice by the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) for unsafe fencing on a 12th-floor outdoor play area that could allow children to access a balustrade.
- The centre was found to lack an emergency evacuation plan specifically for 14 children under 2 years old, despite being authorized to care for up to 140 children.
- VECRA stated children were 'at risk of serious harm' due to the fencing faults, with potential consequences including falls from the 12th floor.
- The centre operates in a 13-storey building at 11 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, and was ordered to close the rooftop outdoor play area and rectify the issues.
- Interim Early Childhood Regulator Adam Fennessy stated that families expect children to be safe at early childhood services and that Woodlands St Kilda Road had put children at significant risk.
- Failure to comply with the emergency action notice could result in fines of over $20,000 for an individual or $103,000 for the service.
- The centre was rated 'working towards national quality standards' in May 2026.
- The centre operates from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and charges $171.12 per full day before subsidies.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The inspection was conducted by VECRA during an unannounced visit, and the emergency action notice was issued on June 12, 2026.
- The centre was also found not to have an emergency evacuation plan for its youngest children, aged under 2, to the ground floor.
- The centre has been ordered to review its emergency and evacuation plans and ensure instructions are prominently displayed.
- The centre features a 'hero playscape' with a small plane airlifted into the high-rise with a crane.
- The centre is one of seven Woodlands Childcare and Education locations, with others in Sunbury, Roxburgh Park, Tarneit, Truganina, and Boronia.
- VECRA is considering further action due to the seriousness of the breaches.
- A Woodlands spokesperson stated that fencing modifications were already underway on June 9, with a perspex covering added the same day, and final works scheduled for June 17.
- The spokesperson claimed the centre had an existing evacuation plan previously approved by VECRA but was instructed to create a specific plan for toddlers and display it in every room and exit point.
- The article references a February 2025 report stating 4,950 children were injured, became ill, or experienced trauma in Victorian childcare centres the prior financial year, with serious incidents rising from 6,142 to 6,613.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the centre was ordered to close its rooftop outdoor play area, while THEAGE says the centre was ordered to close and fix the outdoor space but can continue to run while works are secured.
- ABC does not mention the 'hero playscape' with a small plane, while THEAGE describes it as a key feature of the centre.
Source Articles
Melbourne childcare centre warned over safety breaches
An inspection of a childcare centre in inner-Melbourne found faults in the fencing meant children could potentially access a 12th floor balcony.
‘Could have been catastrophic’: Children at risk of 12-storey plunge from high-rise childcare centre
Children at an inner-city Melbourne childcare centre were at risk of falling from a 12-storey roof edge.