00:00A usually lively play space, now an empty yard.
00:07The Genius Childcare Centre on Prospect Road at Blair Athol was issued with an emergency
00:12action notice on the 31st of January.
00:15There were concerns that were raised around fencing, around the cleanliness of the premises,
00:21around some flooring and a few other issues as well, pretty serious issues.
00:25The state's independent regulator, the Education Standards Board, ordered the centre to close
00:31until the breaches are rectified.
00:33It was given 14 days to do so.
00:36I have two kids that were attending, I've now pulled them out.
00:40A lot of the parents have had concerns since the takeover and staff members have left and
00:45definitely what's being raised is the concern with the hygiene and the smoke alarms and
00:50things.
00:51That's been an ongoing issue for months.
00:53In a statement, Genius Childcare told the ABC it had closed temporarily due to necessary
00:58maintenance to ensure a safe and high quality environment.
01:03It says fees won't be charged while it's closed.
01:06The ABC has confirmed the centre cannot reopen unless and until it gets approval from the
01:12regulator.
01:13The regulator also has the power to impose conditions on the centre's operations or to
01:18suspend or shut down its services completely.
01:22The same company has also phased disciplinary action into state, including at a Queensland centre.
01:29This is currently the only childcare centre that Genius is operating in South Australia.
01:34But the company is seeking licences to open five other centres across the state, which
01:40it's advertising on its website as opening soon.
01:43The Education Minister says the regulator is yet to provide approval for those centres.
01:49Situations that they might have had at their Blair Athol centre or interstate will be things
01:54that can be considered by our regulator here if and when they have to make a decision about
01:59permitting this provider to open more services in South Australia.
02:02So that is a very stringent test.
02:04Another week remains on the 14-day deadline.
02:08In the meantime, families continue to play the waiting game.
Comments