Tuesday, 03 February, 2026
Glen Park secures grant for older LGBTQIA+
Back to school road safety priority
Joy Aldham remembered for service
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Safety probed By Shamsiya Hussainpoor The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) has issued an Emergency Action Notice to Chawla Group AU PTY LTD, which runs Kindoo Childcare Centre in Ferntree Gully, after unsafe sleep and rest practices were found at the centre. VECRA officers made an unannounced visit on 15 January 2026 and identified practices and equipment that posed an immediate risk to children’s safety and wellbeing. Problems included unsafe mattresses, inadequate supervision of sleeping children, and a lack of proper risk assessments for sleep and rest, all breaches of national early childhood regulations. VECRA’s interim regulator, Adam Fennessy PSM, said parents have every right to expect their children are safe in care. “This service put young children at risk of death or serious injury due to unsafe sleep practices and dangerous mattresses,” he said. The notice required the centre to stop caring for children under 12 months until all mattresses met mandatory safety standards and updated sleep and rest risk assessments were submitted. Since then, the centre has addressed the issues to VECRA’s satisfaction, and it is now allowed to resume caring for infants. Mr Fennessy stressed that safe sleep practices are non-negotiable and said VECRA will take strong action if children’s safety is compromised. He also warned the wider early childhood sector to take note. “Let this be a reminder to all services that VECRA will not hesitate to impose restrictions on any service putting children’s wellbeing at risk,” he said. VECRA urges anyone concerned about the safety of children in Victorian early childhood services
Alyssa and Acacia excited to be hanging around at Macclesfield Primary School for the start of 2026. (Supplied Macclesfield Primary)
Schools back for 2026! By Tanya Steele Kindoo Childcare Centre in Ferntree Gully is facing emergency action from VECRA over unsafe sleeping practices. (Stewart Chambers: 531093)
to contact the authority on 1300 307 415. Reports can be made anonymously and are taken seriously. Kindoo Childcare Centre was contacted for comment. VECRA, which started operating on 1 January 2026, is Victoria’s independent regulator overseeing safety, quality and compliance across early childhood services. To read the full story, turn to page 5
With freshly labelled lunchboxes and hats, the primary school community across the Hills is back for 2026. The last week of January saw hordes of tiny preps make their way into formal education for the first time. The Star Mail invited the local schools to send us a snap or two of what the first few days back were like and a few schools took time out of their busy back to school business to check in. Breakfast clubs, Teddy Bear Picnics, gardening programs and more, primary school
(from the outside ) sounds like it won’t be too bad at all in 2026. The primary schools of the hills enjoy beautiful landscapes and nature as part of their formal education, a bonus of living in the outer east region of Melbourne. Some of the schools will also welcome third generation students through their doors, marking special milestones for their families. Kids and families alike will now adjust to new schedules and new community, connecting with their school communities. Head to page 11 for some more happy snaps.
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