About 3.30pm on October 12, a toddler was left unattended in a car parked in a drop-off zone at Great Ryrie Primary School.

While the parent was picking up another child from the school, the toddler got out of the car and walked onto the road. Adults in the area who saw what was happening brought the child to safety until the parent returned.

Principal Douglas Elliott said he was made aware of the incident by a concerned parent.

"We were told the parent of the toddler returned with a school-aged child not long after the young child climbed back into the car."

Mr Elliott said he was "extremely grateful" the toddler hadn't been hurt and appreciated that parents in the area were able to "avert what could have been a terrible tragedy".

"If everyone paid attention to traffic regulations and used common sense, we would all feel a lot more confident about the safety of everyone who uses the local streets in our vicinity.

"Unfortunately, it seems there are a few people who are more concerned about making a quick drop-off or collection from the closest point in the shortest time possible than they are about the safety of others."

Mr Elliott said the message to parents of young children was simple. "Follow the road rules, supervise your children at all times and definitely never leave a young child unattended - anywhere."

Mr Elliott said there were five parking bays in Great Ryrie Street, directly outside the school office, for parents to use as a designated drop-off and pick-up zone, as well as off-street parking and a car park for about 30 cars within walking distance to the school.

He encouraged parents and care-givers to walk their children to and from school as often as possible.

"This cuts down on traffic congestion and reduces the associated risks of sharing the streets with lots of vehicles."

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said parents who left a child unattended could face 15 penalty units or three months in prison under section 494 of the Youth and Families Act.

Leading Senior Constable Martin Buzzell, of Maroondah traffic management unit, said leaving a child unattended in a car, particularly with the warmer weather approaching, was a "dangerous" scenario.