Edge Early Learning, a childcare provider, has informed parents of its decision to permanently shut down its Charnwood centre, opting against enduring a three-month suspension order issued by the ACT’s regulatory body last month.
The organization, which is facing financial difficulties and has recently entered voluntary administration, had aimed to keep its facilities operational throughout Australia.
In a communication sent to parents, the centre expressed that reopening after the suspension would be too challenging to manage.
Following the recent closure of another facility in Higgins due to urgent safety concerns, the Charnwood centre’s shutdown marks another setback for Edge Early Learning. The Higgins centre was previously closed in response to a serious medical incident involving a child, prompting the ACT’s Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) to enforce a one-month suspension.
Edge confirmed it would not reopen the Higgins centre after the suspension period ended. CECA’s latest action involved a three-month suspension for the Charnwood centre, alongside a directive to enhance staffing levels beyond the minimum legal requirements.
In an email to families last week, Edge announced that the Charnwood centre would remain permanently closed, reiterating that reopening was not feasible following the suspension.
Edge Early Learning operates several centres across the ACT, Queensland, and South Australia. The announcement of the Charnwood closure coincided with the company’s voluntary administration declaration.
Sean Moysey from CECA highlighted that Edge Charnwood’s high staff turnover and the prevalence of inexperienced personnel posed significant risks to child supervision and safety. He noted that issues such as children going missing were frequently reported, citing a concerning average turnover of 23 weeks for nominated supervisors.
Moysey pointed out that the regulator had hoped the suspension would allow the centre to improve staff retention and build a more experienced team. He remarked on the previous successful staffing situation at Edge Charnwood, indicating that the service was once well-staffed and effective.
In its communication with families, Edge stated that it had been working to address CECA’s concerns for the past year, implementing changes in leadership and enhancing training and support.
Edge expressed disappointment over the outcome, asserting that it did not align with the progress made at the Charnwood centre and deemed the regulatory response disproportionate. The company emphasized that attempting to reopen after the suspension would not be practical, as families would need to secure alternative childcare arrangements in the interim.
Parents and staff at the centre expressed their distress over the sudden closure. One parent, who chose to remain anonymous, described the last eleven months at the centre as positive but became concerned when news of the company entering voluntary administration emerged. He mentioned that the subsequent announcement of the suspension spread quickly through social media.
Upon visiting the centre the following day, he observed that educators and the director were visibly upset and trying to support parents during the transition.
He noted that he was fortunate to have found alternative childcare solutions, commending the staff for their efforts in assisting both parents and educators in securing new positions.
Veronica Elliot, executive officer of ACT Parents, recognized the challenges families face when transitioning to new childcare services. She encouraged parents to utilize government resources to check ratings, compliance history, and availability of services.
Elliot emphasized the importance of choosing a service that understands and connects with children and families, underscoring that compliance history can be a significant indicator of quality.
Additionally, administrators have issued a national call for expressions of interest as they seek potential buyers for Edge’s services or the company itself. Despite the challenges, Edge Early Learning continues to operate its Ngunnawal centre in Canberra’s north.
