A childcare centre in Sydney's southwest is facing fines of up to $100,000 after a toddler was discovered face-down in a bucket of water, court documents have revealed.
Incident Details
Jenny's Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre at Gregory Hills was shut down in September 2025 due to serious child safety concerns following a number of alleged incidents in early 2025. The centre's operator, JK St George Holdings Pty Ltd, now faces criminal charges after a boy became wedged in a 65-litre bucket of water while unsupervised in the sandpit area.
At Campbelltown Local Court on Tuesday, it was heard that the boy became stuck after repeatedly reaching into the bucket to retrieve toys. Each time, he lifted his feet off the ground as he bent over the bucket's lip. The toddler remained wedged for over a minute before he began kicking his legs, attracting an educator who rushed to rescue him.
An educator later told investigators: 'When I got the child, the back of his head was on the base of the bucket and his chin on his chest looking back towards his legs. The water level was just over his face. I reefed him out and noticed a bit of water come out of his mouth as he came out of the bucket. When I pulled him out, his face wasn't red or blue or anything, he was just normal.'
Another staff member estimated the water depth to be about 15 centimetres. The boy was deemed uninjured, and no ambulance was called.
Safety Failures
The court heard that a staff member failed to complete the centre's 'outside checklist' before allowing children into the yard, which required checking that equipment was dry and safe and that there were no water puddles. The educator reportedly said she would not always check for water in the bucket as it was 'usually full of toys and you can't see the bottom'.
Following the incident, the centre replaced the bucket with one featuring drainage holes, conducted further staff training, and created an active supervision zone diagram.
Legal Consequences
JK St George Holdings has pleaded guilty to one count of not adequately supervising children in care and one count of not protecting children from harm or hazard. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $57,400, totalling up to $114,800. However, the court may impose fines up to $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for later this year.
No current or former staff members are facing charges.
This incident follows a separate case where childcare worker Anna Gewargis was jailed for almost two years for assaulting and sexually touching three children under her care at an unregistered daycare centre in Denham Court, Sydney's west.
