“We have asked the service for confirmation that mitigations are in place for the door that the children left through and we will continue to work with them to gather further information and review the relevant policies and procedures.
“We expect to receive a full investigation report from the service.”
She said the children were safe and parents had been notified.
A parent of a child at the centre, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald the youngsters left the centre opposite Eden Park on Walters Rd.
BestStart northern regional manager Karen Flinn posted a statement on an internal group: “We had an incident today where a teacher accidentally left an exit door open and two children got out of the centre.
“Thankfully, they were quickly returned safely,” she said.
“We take our responsibilities very seriously and we are extremely concerned that this occurred.
“We have already instigated a full investigation and informed the Ministry of Education. We apologise to the parents of the children involved.
“We will advise you of the outcome and any actions from the investigation.”
Several parents posted furious replies to the post, with one saying the situation was “beyond unacceptable”.
“We expect a serious and immediate response, not generic reassurances. The safety of our children is not negotiable.”
In a statement, BestStart deputy chief executive Fiona Hughes said they were “deeply distressed to hear about an incident on January 30 where a teacher accidentally left an exit door open, and two children gained access to our carpark”.
“Thankfully, they were quickly returned safely by a parent,” Hughes said.
“We have interviewed the father who found the children, and he has confirmed they were in the carpark.
“We are relieved that the children were unhurt; however, we acknowledge the very serious nature of the incident and immediately commenced an investigation, which is currently ongoing. We have informed the Ministry of Education and are working closely with them.
“We have restricted access to the door while our investigations are conducted and will take action as soon as findings are complete to ensure this cannot recur.
“We take our responsibilities very seriously and are extremely concerned that this occurred.
“We have apologised to the parents of the children involved and also extend our sincere apologies to all parents who entrust us with the care and safety of their children.
“We have undertaken to advise parents of the outcome and the actions from the investigation.”
Maddix said early childhood services were not required to make a report to the ministry when children left premises unattended, however “services understand the benefit of reporting and working with us to ensure the health and safety of children”.
This incident occurred more than one week after four children escaped through a gate that “unexpectedly malfunctioned” at a Tauranga daycare.
Kids on Nineteen said the “deeply distressing” incident on December 3 was “immediately noticed” by a staff member and the children were safely returned to the centre “within minutes”.
In August last year, a toddler escaped from a Rotorua daycare after climbing the fence and was found near a state highway by a motorist, in an incident the boy’s mother called “shocking”.
Of the 191,602 children that attended early childhood education in 2023, 69 children were reported leaving premises without the knowledge of adults.
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