Edge Early Learning closes Canberra's Charnwood childcare centre after regulator suspension

Edge Early Learning, a national childcare operator placed into voluntary administration, will permanently close its Charnwood centre in Canberra’s north rather than resume services after a three-month suspension imposed by the Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA). CECA also required the centre to increase staffing above the legal minimum, citing significant turnover and a large share of inexperienced staff as major safety concerns.

The regulator had previously shut Edge’s Higgins service following a serious medical incident and a one-month suspension. Edge said it had spent the past twelve months addressing the regulator’s concerns but concluded that reopening after the suspension would not be feasible. The company remains open at its Ngunnawal location and has issued a national expression of interest for potential buyers. Parents and staff expressed distress, while ACT Parents’ executive officer Veronica Elliot urged families to use the Starting Blocks website to locate compliant services.