Mother Seeks Answers After Non-Verbal Daughter Suffers Injuries at Echuca Childcare Centre
A distraught mother from regional Victoria is demanding urgent answers and accountability after her three-year-old daughter sustained shocking injuries at a childcare centre in Echuca. Claire Gaiter has described the incident as horrific, revealing that her daughter Matilda, who is non-verbal, was allegedly struck with a shovel by another child at Goodstart Early Learning.
Alleged Attack Leaves Toddler with Multiple Injuries
According to Gaiter, staff from the childcare centre contacted her on Wednesday morning to inform her that Matilda had been hit with a shovel. When she arrived, she discovered her daughter had suffered significant injuries to her head, neck, back, and legs. These injuries included bruising, grazes, and what appeared to be bite marks, with medical examination later confirming a mild concussion.
"I was just crying. It was horrific," Gaiter said, expressing her anguish over the situation. She emphasised that Matilda's non-verbal condition made the incident particularly distressing, as the toddler cannot communicate pain or describe what happened.
Lack of Clarity and CCTV Footage Raises Concerns
Gaiter reported that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with no CCTV footage available to provide a definitive account. She stated that staff witnessed another three-year-old child hitting Matilda in the head with a shovel three times in the sandpit area, but were unable to intervene quickly enough.
"It's not a freak accident. It's not something that happened quickly. It's just horrific," she added, questioning the supervision and safety protocols at the facility.
Centre's Response and Regulatory Investigation
Goodstart Early Learning has declined to provide specific details about the incident, citing the need to protect the privacy of the children involved. In a statement, the organisation noted that the centre was staffed in accordance with regulatory requirements and mentioned that an additional educator rostered to support children with additional needs was due to start their shift shortly.
Despite this, Gaiter has not yet received an incident report from the centre, adding to her frustration. She has reported the matter to local police, and the Victorian government's Childhood Regulatory Authority is expected to conduct an investigation into the incident.
Mother's Plea for Preventative Measures
Gaiter's primary concern is ensuring that such an incident does not happen to other children. She is calling for greater transparency and improved safety measures in childcare settings, particularly for vulnerable children like Matilda who cannot advocate for themselves.
"Just so it doesn't happen to any other children," she said, highlighting the need for systemic changes to protect young attendees.
This case has sparked broader discussions about childcare safety standards in regional Victoria, with advocates emphasising the importance of adequate supervision and support for children with additional needs.
