Edge Early Learning, which has about 70 childcare centres across Australia, has fallen into voluntary administration.
‘We understand that this may be a confusing and stressful development for families who rely upon Edge Early Learning to provide care for their children,’ the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘We are working with management and will be supporting centre staff to minimise any disruption.’
The company, which runs childcare, kindergarten and preschool centres across Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, said centres will operate on a ‘business as usual’ basis.
However they did concede that some activities may have to be reviewed.
‘Where possible, planned activities and events will continue,’ the company told parents in a letter seen by the Daily Mail.
‘However, some activities may be reviewed or adjusted during the administration period. Families will be notified if any changes are required.’
Fees are expected to stay the same with direct debits to continue to be processed on the same days. No changes will be made to Child Care Subsidy entitlements.
Edge Early Learning, which has about 70 childcare centres across Australia, has fallen into voluntary administration
Craig Shepard, David Johnstone and Stacey Clisby from KordaMentha have been appointed as voluntary administrators.
The administrators said further updates will be provided to families once they have completed their assessment of the group’s financial position and options.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh for comment.
The news comes nearly a year after a whistleblower accused the education provider of a series of alarming safety and supervision failures at an Adelaide centre.
The woman, who did not want to be named, told 9News that on one occasion, a child wandered onto a main road, but no report was filed, nor were the parents told.
‘I dreaded going to work every day,’ the childcare worker said. ‘The educators would voice out that they needed help, and help never came, which was very disturbing.’
On Tuesday night, parents at a childcare centre in Melbourne’s north-west were left scrambling for alternative arrangements after being told at 6.40pm the centre would not be reopening.
Avondale Heights Child Care and Early Learning Centre was liquidated on Tuesday after its proposed sale had fallen through when the intended buyer was unable to settle the contract.
