A shocking mix-up at a Sydney daycare centre has left parents furious and authorities investigating.
At First Steps Learning Academy in Bangor, a grandfather mistakenly took home the wrong toddler, believing he was collecting his own grandson. The error happened during nap time, when the room was dim and children were asleep. Without realizing, he picked up another child, secured him in a car seat, and drove away.
The mistake was only discovered when the real mother arrived to collect her son and found him missing. Panic quickly spread, and staff began urgently reviewing CCTV footage and contacting families. After a frantic two-hour search, the missing child was safely returned and confirmed unharmed.
While the grandfather was devastated by the mistake, the child’s mother made it clear that the fault lies with the centre, not him: “We don’t blame the grandfather—we blame the daycare.”
The centre has since issued a public apology, suspended the staff member involved, and announced new safety protocols, including ID verification for all child pick-ups.
The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority has called the incident “deeply concerning” and launched a full investigation into the daycare’s compliance and safety measures.
This case serves as a powerful reminder of how even a brief lapse in childcare safety can spiral into a terrifying ordeal for families.
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