A Tauranga daycare has apologised after four children escaped through a gate that “unexpectedly malfunctioned” and were found nearby by members of the public.

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”.

The Ministry of Education said it immediately directed the centre to fix the gate and install safety latches on windows, which it had done.

It comes after a toddler escaped from a Rotorua daycare in August after climbing the fence and was found near a state highway by a woman driving past, in an incident the boy’s mother called “shocking”.

Gate ‘promptly replaced’

A statement from Kids on Nineteen to the Bay of Plenty Times said about 1.29pm on December 3 four children “briefly exited” the centre premises through a gate that “unexpectedly malfunctioned”.

The centre is on 19th Ave, which runs opposite Tauranga Hospital between Cameron Rd and Botanical Rd.

“The incident was immediately noticed by a staff member, and, thanks to the swift actions of members of the public, the children were safely returned to the centre within minutes, unharmed,” the statement said.

“While we are relieved that no harm came to the children, we acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and have taken decisive action to prevent a recurrence.”

The daycare’s response to the incident included “immediate repairs”, an investigation and review, and the upgrading and installation of “enhanced security measures”.

The statement said the gate was “promptly replaced and thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the highest safety standards”.

“A detailed investigation revealed that a fault in the gate created an unforeseen gap. We have since reinforced our daily health and safety checks to ensure all equipment functions optimally.”

The centre also upgraded other safety features, including adding security latches on windows as recommended by the Ministry of Education.

The statement said the safety and wellbeing of the children in their care were their top priorities and the centre was committed to transparency and accountability in everything it did.

Parents of children ‘understanding’

The parents of the children involved were “informed immediately” and had shown “understanding and confidence in our response”.

“Their trust in the quality of care we provide means a great deal to us, and we remain grateful for their continued support.

“We also wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the members of the public who intervened during this incident.

“While we were unable to capture their names in the moment, their assistance was invaluable, and we sincerely thank them for their quick and selfless actions.”

Four children 'briefly exited' the premises of Kids on Nineteen via a broken gate on December 3. Photo / Megan Wilson

It said the incident had been “deeply distressing” for staff and families.

“We are truly sorry for the worry it has caused.

“While no system is infallible, we are committed to learning from this experience and have strengthened our protocols to uphold the highest safety standards.”

It said the centre had reminded all parents and staff of the importance of “remaining vigilant” and ensuring gates were securely closed when entering or exiting the premises.

“Together, we continue to prioritise the safety and happiness of every child in our care.”

In a statement, Ministry of Education hautū (leader) Te Tai Whenua (Central) Jocelyn Mikaere said the ministry received a report on December 12 of four children leaving the centre unattended on December 3 “via a broken gate”.

“The children were found nearby shortly afterwards by members of the public and returned safely to the centre.

“While the ministry is looking into this matter, we immediately directed the centre to fix the gate and install safety latches on windows.

“The centre has complied with our instructions and advised they are also undertaking their own investigation.”

-Bay of Plenty Times