Melbourne childcare centre shut down abruptly, leaving parents scrambling for alternatives
The Avondale Heights Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Melbourne's north-west was liquidated and closed at 6:40 p.m., forcing families to find new care on short notice.
SSB Advisory announced the liquidation of the Avondale Heights Child Care and Early Learning Centre, sending a 6:40 p.m. text to families that the facility would close instantly. The intended buyer could not complete the purchase, and the centre’s directors had been personally financing operations for an extended period before deciding they could not continue. The liquidator apologized for the distress caused by the abrupt termination and the need for families to arrange alternative childcare.
Parents complained that the after-hours notice gave them little time to secure new placements, and the centre is now locked with children’s items still inside. Kelli, a parent, said she was caught off guard, had to inform her employer of her inability to work, and praised staff for their unaware, normal demeanor on the day of closure.
Why it matters
Families must quickly secure new childcare, and the sudden shutdown highlights risks of under-funded early-learning providers.
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