Child with disability excluded from early learning centre 'effective immediately'

Stateline

Topic:Disability Access

Tommy's nappy-changing process is what led to his exclusion from an early learning centre. (ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)

In short:

A four-year-old from NSW was excluded from his early learning centre due to his disability-related needs.

Tommy Schumacher lives with Perthes disease and has to have his nappy changed, but his former centre says their change area is not big enough to facilitate him.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car has promised her department will explore potential solutions.

June 30 seemed like an ordinary day for four-year-old Tommy Schumacher.

That morning, his parents packed his bag and sent him off to his early learning centre in Milton, on the NSW south coast.

However, a few hours later, the family received a phone call and an email from the centre's management in Canberra.

"I am writing to inform you that unfortunately we are no longer able to support Thomas' place at Budawang, effective immediately," the email said.

Tommy lives with Perthes disease and uses a wheelchair. (Supplied)

The decision had "not been made lightly" and it followed legal advice received that very day, the email stated.

His belongings would be handed over when Tommy was collected that afternoon.

His mother Jessica said the sudden nature of the decision was hard for Tommy to comprehend.

"They just basically pushed him out the door. There was no transition for him," she said.

"It's not OK."

Tommy's mother Jessica feels let down by the centre. (ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)

When he was two years old, Tommy was diagnosed with Perthes disease, meaning the blood supply to the ball of his hip was lost.

"[The] femoral head in his hip died. It lost blood supply," Ms Schumacher said.

"The bone went from a ball to a little pancake and was slowly growing back."

Tommy's condition means he should not put weight on his legs, so he uses a wheelchair and needs to have his nappy changed.

The nappy-changing process is what ultimately led to his exclusion from Budawang.

"The early learning centre [said] that their change area now isn't big enough to facilitate him," Ms Schumacher said.

Tommy pictured with his brother Jackson and their family dog Bear. (Supplied)

Centre says Tommy was 'loved'

A spokesperson for Budawang said the centre was "truly saddened" by the experience of Tommy and his family.

"Thomas has been a very loved member of our community and we tried our best to care for him safely as long as we possibly could," the spokesperson said.

The centre said it implemented measures to meet his needs, including changes to the playground and furniture to improve accessibility and inclusion.

A Budawang spokesperson says the centre is "truly saddened". (Supplied)

According to Budawang, an occupational therapist's review determined there was not enough physical space to safely change Tommy.

It followed a nappy-changing incident earlier this year in which Tommy was mistakenly removed from his wheelchair and showered.

Budawang said it needed to create a "private and hygienic area large enough to fit a portable hoist, a suitable changing area, bath, Thomas' wheelchair, Thomas and two educators".

"We had been working with our landlord to explore how the changes required could be accommodated, but we are a very small community centre and creating such a space would require significant building modifications, planning permissions and capital works," they said.

The site is owned by the NSW Department of Education.

Tommy visited parliament

Tommy and his family visited state parliament and watched question time. (ABC News)

The Schumachers believe Tommy was treated unfairly and cannot see a world in which they would send their son back, even if necessary works were carried out.

They have not been able to find an early learning centre that can accommodate his needs.

And the NDIS has denied the family's request to fund support workers during the day.

Both Tommy's parents work full time, so the four-year-old's grandparents are caring for him five days a week.

Last week, Tommy and his family visited state parliament and watched question time, during which Shadow Early Education Minister Felicity Wilson raised his case.

The four-year-old's case was raised by the shadow early education minister. (Supplied)

Ms Wilson said it was "disappointing" the four-year-old's disability was preventing him from accessing early childhood education.

She said Education and Early Learning Minister, Prue Car, should intervene.

"We'd call on her to make sure that she finds a place for Tommy so he can get the education and care that he needs, just like any other child, regardless of their ability," Ms Wilson said.

Ms Car said Tommy's case was "very concerning".

"The Department of Education owns the land that the early learning centre is on and manages the licence agreement," she said.

"But, obviously, this was a decision made by the provider."

Prue Car commented on Tommy's situation. (ABC News: Timothy Ailwood)

Nonetheless, she vowed to explore potential solutions.

"I will go away and ensure that we are doing everything possible we can do within our remit," she said.

However, funding for disability support in long day care centres was the responsibility of the federal government, she said.

Nowhere to turn

Tommy's case highlights the barriers many children with disabilities face when trying to access early childhood education.

In 2022, Children and Young People with Disabilities Australia (CYDA) surveyed 181 parents and caregivers about their experiences.

One in five reported their child being refused enrolment, while nearly a quarter said they were offered reduced hours.

There are barriers many children with disabilities face when trying to access early childhood education. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Access to child care more generally is worse in regional areas of NSW.

A 2024 analysis by the Mitchell Institute found there were 0.85 places per child in the Sydney suburb of Chippendale.

However, in Ulladulla, where the Schumachers live, there were 0.47 places per child.

In the region directly surrounding the town, that figure drops to 0.15.

The Minns government is in the process of building 100 public preschools, but the closest will be at Sanctuary Point, a 45-minute drive away.

Ms Schumacher said she hoped Tommy's case would draw attention to the exclusion some children with disabilities face.

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