This week, a local early learning service in Batemans Bay reopened its doors following an almost 3-month long suspension enforced by the NSW Early Learning Commission.
The Commission suspended the service approval of Surfside Kidz in Batemans Bay in December 2025 due to the immediate risk posed to children following a spate of concerns relating to poor supervision and staffing, and issues with maintenance and cleanliness of the premises.
Officers from the Commission have worked with the service over the past few months to rectify these issues, demanding the service take urgent steps to uplift quality and compliance with the National Law.
The Commission allowed Surfside Kidz to reopen on Monday 2 March with strict conditions imposed on the service approval to support the safe, high-quality operation of the service. These conditions require the service to:
operate with one educator above the required educator-to-child ratio at all times
submit weekly attendance records for children, and the records of educators working directly with children, to the Commission for three months.
be capped at a maximum of 25 children in attendance until an Early Childhood Teacher is employed and has remained employed at the service for a continuous period of six months.
The service's approved provider, nominated supervisor(s) and educators are also required to complete additional training related to child safety.
Conditions are just one of the regulatory tools the Commission can use to enhance the health, safety and wellbeing of children that attend early childhood education and care services across NSW, requiring providers to meet a standard above and beyond usual requirements of the National Quality Framework.
These conditions will be monitored closely through regular reporting from the service as well as unannounced visits from the Commission.
Please attribute to Acting NSW Early Learning Commissioner, Daryl Currie:
"It is pleasing for us to be able to lift this service's suspension as a result of the service demonstrating a genuine effort to improve quality and protect children.
"We know how important quality early learning services are for families, and the Commission is committed to supporting safe services to keep their doors open.
"Where services fail to meet minimum standards, we will take action, however this is a positive story of a provider taking action to improve outcomes for children."
