Arabic version: العثور على طفلين بعد مغادرتهما مركز رعاية أطفال في كانبيرا

According to ABC News, two five-year-old boys who left Majura Early Childhood Centre in Dickson, Canberra, were found by ACT Policing after members of the public saw them roaming the area at about 1:30pm on Monday. Police contacted the boys’ parents and both children were safely returned to their families.

It is understood the pair used an upturned bench to scale a fence and jump outside the centre. The provider, Northside Community Service, apologised to parents and said it was in direct contact with the families to respond to their concerns.

Northside chief executive Dan English said the service recognised the seriousness of the incident and the distress caused to the children, parents and other families. The organisation has reported the matter to the ACT childcare regulator and appointed an independent external investigator. It said action had been taken following initial interviews with some centre staff, while the investigation continues.

ACT Child Development Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith described the incident as “extremely concerning” and said she would monitor the investigation. She said Northside had added resources to the centre and would work closely with the regulator. Documents released by the ACT Legislative Assembly previously showed two children were unaccounted for at the same centre in October 2020, including one who escaped. The service is currently assessed as “exceeding” national quality standards following a 2024 assessment.