Port Augusta Early Learning Centre Closed After Allergy Incident

A Port Augusta early learning centre has been closed for two weeks after a child with allergies was hospitalised due to being served food "they shouldn't have been served". The Education Standards Board (ESB) found the provider had contravened its responsibility to protect children from harm and hazards, describing the incident as a "serious food allergen incident".

The centre will be closed until Monday, September 21 at 6:30pm. Education Minister Lucy Hood described the incident, which occurred on September 3, as "an allergen management issue".

"[It was] in regards to a young child being served food that they shouldn't have been served and I understand it led to the hospitalisation of a child," she said.

"My understanding was that the child had several allergies."

The ESB ordered the centre to provide written communication to the families of all children enrolled at the service, to outline the incident and the ESB's subsequent directions.

"[The ESB] has issued an emergency action notice to Edge Early Learning Port Augusta after identifying concerns relating to child safety," ESB regulation and quality executive director Sean Heffernan said in a statement.

Edge would also need to undertake an investigation into the incident and "ensure all service staff complete independent training in emergency response management and the identification of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis".

Edge has been plagued by controversy in recent months, and has at different times been forced to close several centres around the country. Late last month, Edge — which has more than 60 centres across SA, the ACT and Queensland — entered voluntary administration.

"Allergen management has clearly been a challenge for the Edge Early Learning centres — there are a number of other centres that have experienced allergen issues, and so there'll be an investigation," Ms Hood said today.

"They have entered into voluntary administration. They have several compliance actions on their centres."

"I think, through the voluntary administration process, we will either see some of those centres sold off or the current centres secured."

Ms Hood, who said she had previously met with Edge, said she would be getting a full briefing on the Port Augusta incident later that day.

"The service has been closed for 14 days. Parents have been notified, and they'll be encouraged to seek alternative options during this closure period," she said.

She said there were just over 100 enrolments at the centre and advised parents to check the federal government's Starting Blocks website "to look at alternative options within their community".