Emergency Action Notice served on Chawla Group AU PTY LTD, operator of Kindoo Childcare Centre

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has served an Emergency Action Notice on Chawla Group AU PTY LTD, the provider who operates Kindoo Childcare Centre in Ferntree Gully.

The Emergency Action Notice was issued due to unsafe sleep and rest practices and equipment that poses, or is likely to pose, an immediate risk to the safety, health and wellbeing of a child or children being educated and cared for by the service.

During an unannounced visit to the service on 15 January 2026, VECRA’s Authorised Officers identified serious breaches of the following requirements of the National Law and National Regulations:

Regulation 84C (2) - Risk assessment for purposes of sleep and rest policies and procedures

• Mattresses were observed to be stained and had possible mould/mildew growth with sections of foam missing.
• Two mattresses were pieces of foam without a protective layer that could be cleaned or sanitised.
• The safe sleep and rest risk assessment did not identify any control measures for any risks.
• A child was observed sleeping on a mattress that did not meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013.
• A children’s mattress was made up with ill-fitting sheets resulting in gaps around the edges of the cot.
• Regulation 170 – Policies and procedures to be followed.
• The Approved Provider failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the nominated supervisor and staff members engaged by or registered with the service followed the safe sleep practices policy.

Section 165 – Offence to inadequately supervise children

• A child was observed sleeping in a darkened sleep room with the curtain obstructing visibility. There was not an educator present in the sleep room to observe (or intervene if required) to ensure the safety of the sleeping child.

The Emergency Action Notice requires that the service not provide education and care to children attending the service that are under 12 months of age until evidence is provided that all mattresses are replaced and are compliant with the mandatory safety standards of Australian Standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 and with current advice from Red Nose Australia.

Evidence of the new and updated risk assessments for the purposes of sleep and rest undertaken by the approved provider is also to be submitted to VECRA within 14 days of the date of this notice.

VECRA will be actively monitoring compliance with this notice, including the consideration of further action against the provider given the seriousness of the breaches.

The provider’s failure to comply with this notice may lead to prosecution. A maximum penalty of $103,200 may apply if this notice is not complied with.

Quotes attributable to Adam Fennessy PSM, Interim Early Childhood Regulator

'Parents are entitled to trust that their children are safe and well when attending an early childhood service.'

'This service put young children in danger of death or serious injury due to unsafe sleep practices and dirty and dangerous mattresses.'

'VECRA won’t hesitate to take strong action against services that put children’s safety at risk and this includes banning them from caring for our youngest children until we are satisfied that there are safe sleeping arrangements in place for young children .'

Further background

On 1 January 2026, the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) commenced operations as Victoria's new independent early childhood regulator.

A key recommendation from the 2025 Rapid Child Safety Review, the new independent regulator oversees safety, quality, and compliance in early childhood services across Victoria.

Media contact: vecra.media@education.vic.gov.au