Six South Australian childcare centres are to close permanently after administrators failed to find a buyer for the services, leaving hundreds of families seeking alternative arrangements.
The Edge Early Learning centres will provide their final day of care on Friday, November 6. The closures follow the collapse of a proposed acquisition by Goodstart Early Learning.
The affected sites are two centres in Angle Vale, on Angle Vale Road and Saverio Boulevard, along with centres in Flagstaff Hill, Mount Barker, Port Augusta and Seacombe Heights.
Administrators said Goodstart had signed a heads of agreement to acquire the centres but withdrew after completing due diligence. Other parties involved in the sale process, as well as additional prospective buyers, were subsequently approached.
However, administrators said the campaign had failed to produce an offer that would allow the centres to continue operating.
“Unfortunately, the campaign did not result in any acceptable offers capable of securing the ongoing operation of these services,” they said in a statement.
Edge Early Learning centres to close after failed sale process
In a letter to families at Edge Seacombe Heights, administrators said all possible options had been considered after the centre was excluded from the proposed Goodstart transaction.
“Unfortunately, despite these efforts, no viable offers have been received for the centre and all reasonable avenues to secure an alternative sale have now been exhausted,” the letter said.
The centre will shut at the end of the day on November 6. Administrators said the Edge team had developed strong relationships with children and families and apologised for the closure.
Edge Early Learning entered voluntary administration in August, when it operated about 70 centres across South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. Administrators began a sale process aimed at keeping as many services open as possible.
Although dozens of centres have since been sold or transferred to new operators, no buyer was found for the six South Australian sites.
Families who paid childcare fees in advance have been told they will receive full refunds, with most payments expected to be processed by the end of November. Administrators have also directed parents towards nearby centres with available places as they look for new care arrangements.
