A police caution issued after physical force was used against a toddler has raised questions about how concerns involving inappropriate discipline are reported and investigated, particularly when parents are not informed promptly.
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The child was attending a day care centre in Burpengary when a former educator allegedly used physical force on two occasions in August 2024 to reposition his head. Queensland Police confirmed officers began a 30-day investigation after receiving a complaint in September 2025. Police subsequently cautioned the woman on two counts of common assault.
The child’s mother said she was “very mad” about the outcome and believed the educator should have faced criminal charges. She questioned why a caution was considered sufficient and said she had not received communication from police after making the complaint.
The family only became aware of the incidents in August 2025, when another educator approached the mother at a social event. The mother said her son had previously told her that a teacher had hit him, but she did not believe him because he was so young. She later described feeling that she had failed to recognise what her child was trying to tell her. She also said her previously thriving son experienced what she described as emotional trauma, including nightmares, and wetting his pants.
What childcare services must do
Queensland’s education and care laws prohibit children from being subjected to corporal punishment or discipline that is unreasonable in the circumstances. The rules place obligations on approved providers, nominated supervisors, and staff members.
Approved providers must notify Queensland’s early childhood regulator of certain complaints and incidents. Under the Education and Care Services Act, a complaint alleging that a child’s safety, health or wellbeing has been or is being compromised while receiving care must be notified within 24 hours of the provider becoming aware of it.
Queensland’s rules also require approved providers to notify parents about specified incidents involving their child, including injuries or illnesses and medical attention provided. Separate child protection obligations can apply. Early childhood education and care professionals are mandatory reporters where they reasonably suspect a child has suffered, is suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm caused by physical or sexual abuse and may not have a parent willing and able to protect them.
In the Burpengary case, the centre said the educator was immediately stood down and her employment was terminated shortly afterwards. Management also apologised to the child and his family over what it described as an unacceptable delay in reporting the incident.
The centre said it had since worked with the Education Department to overhaul its training, people and practices. The mother has engaged lawyers and is considering civil proceedings, although no documents had been lodged at the time the information was provided.
A police caution is a formal process that can be used instead of taking an eligible matter through the court system. Queensland Police procedures state that a victim’s consent is not required before an adult caution is administered, although the victim’s views may be considered. The caution is recorded in police records but is not included in the person’s disclosable criminal history.
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Queensland’s Reportable Conduct Scheme commenced on July 1, 2026. The scheme operates alongside existing Education and Care Services Act notification requirements and covers certain allegations of reportable conduct involving children. The scheme generally does not apply retrospectively to conduct that occurred before its commencement, subject to specific rules concerning historical conduct.
The mother’s response has put the focus on the consequences of the incident, as well as questions about how concerns involving children’s treatment are reported and communicated to families.
Published 30-September-2026
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