QLD families on edge as childcare provider appoints administrators
Thousands of Queensland families are on tenterhooks as a leading childcare provider’s future is up in the air.
Edge Early Learning has appointed administrators on Tuesday but have told parents it is “business as usual” at their centres across the country.
Edge Early Learning lists 68 centres on its website, including 24 in South Australia, 42 in Queensland and two in the ACT.
It expanded into South Australia in 2022, after opening its first childcare centres in Queensland in 2017.
In a statement to their website on Wednesday, Edge Early Learning announced it had appointed KordaMentha administrators Craig Shepard, David Johnstone and Stacey Clisby.
The company said the administration was expected to take several weeks and there would be no change to childcare fees, payment terms or payment dates for parents.
Excursions, events and special activities would continue “where possible” but some could be reviewed or “adjusted” during the administration period.
“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 statement said.
“We are continuing to operate all centres on a business-as-usual basis. There will be no change to your care arrangements, centre opening hours or staffing.
“Families should continue to attend their centre as normal. We are working with management and will be supporting centre staff to minimise any disruption.”
Stay informed, daily
It comes after a series of controversies involving Edge, including in Canberra and South Australia.
Edge was forced to close its South Australian centres for a day in April for mandatory training after two of its centres were forced to shut temporarily due to concerns over staffing levels and food allergy contamination. Multiple breaches were detected by South Australia’s Education Standards Board.
In Canberra, a childcare centre was suddenly closed and a staff member was terminated over a failure to respond to a serious medical incident involving a child.
More to come.
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
