Overview

• Staff discovered the child was missing when the mother arrived, triggering CCTV reviews and calls to confirm where each child was.
• A grandfather had been handed the wrong toddler during nap time, with his wife describing a dark room and car-seat difficulties.
• First Steps Learning Academy called the incident human error, issued an apology, and stood down the educator pending inquiries.
• The centre introduced new pickup controls including door screening, staff verification before exit, and photo ID cards, with refresher training across centres.
• NSW’s Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority launched a thorough investigation, while police are aware but not pursuing a criminal inquiry.