A childcare centre in Adelaide’s inner south-west has been ordered to close for two weeks after being handed an emergency action notice following claims children were left unsupervised.

Edge Early Learning, in Plympton, sent a letter to parents on Tuesday evening which said it would be closing temporarily following the issue of the notice, but assured caregivers that “no child has been harmed”.

“The Education Standards Board (ESB) has this evening issued an Emergency Action Notice ordering Plympton to temporarily close for a two-week period from Wednesday 24 September until Tuesday 7 October 2025,” CEO Annie Bryce wrote in the letter.

“The ESB’s concerns relate to a supervision matter where a teacher on placement was left alone with two children.

“The placement teacher left the two children unsupervised in the classroom for approximately two minutes while she sought guidance.”

Ms Bryce said the incident had not been reported internally “as per our policy” which resulted “in a failure to notify the ESB”.

“We take the ESB’s concerns extremely seriously. Whilst this direction does not reflect the dedication and care of our Plympton educators, it is an important opportunity to strengthen our systems and reinforce our reporting culture,” she wrote.

Second closure in term three

Krystil Ellis said she and her partner were teachers. 

She said while she supported “regulators doing their job and protecting the care of children” it was the second time in term three that they had experienced a closure. 

“Both our children and students need stability,” she said. 

“If I could start my son in government kindergarten with OSHC I would, the corporatisation of early childhood education is not in the best interest of our young people.”

Childrens toys including a giraffe inside a car and an abacus.

Edge Early Learning Centre provides care for children aged between six weeks and school age.  (ABC News: Kyle Harley)

Education Minister Blair Boyer told ABC Radio Adelaide on Wednesday that the centre, which is one of 24 run by Edge Early Learning in South Australia, had been brought to the attention of the board prior to this incident.

“They have had issues around supervision of children and the regulator has been out there a couple of times in August and September and haven’t been satisfied they’ve been rectified,” he said.

“Poor supervision of children … has been identified on more than one occasion.”

Minister wants to ‘send message’ to sector

Mr Boyer said he believed “about 60 families” had children at the centre and said it would “really inconvenience” them.

“As Minister though I’m not going to agree to a situation where we are putting the convenience of families above the safety of their children,” he said.

“It’s about sending a message to the entire sector.

“If you aren’t doing the right thing, we’re going to take action.”

Sophie, the mother of a 14-month-old who was enrolled in the centre, told ABC Radio Adelaide her son “won’t be going back”.

“It’s really disappointing,” she said.

In a statement to the ABC, Ms Bryce said centre was “committed” to learning from this incident. 

“The safety and wellbeing of children is always our highest priority, and we are committed to working closely with the ESB, learning from this matter and ensuring the highest standards of care,” she said.  

“We are working closely with the ESB and using the closure period to deliver additional supervision training for all educators, embed stronger reporting procedures and finalise the appointment of a new centre director.”

Ms Bryce confirmed there had been “no reduction in staff numbers” and that “the centre has continued to meet or exceed required educator-to-child ratios at all times”. 

“While the sector is experiencing workforce challenges and we have seen staff changes in recent months, our educators remain dedicated to the children in their care,” she said. 

Edge Early Learning Centre, has offered families temporary placements at three of its other centres.Â