Nervy wait for ABC parents | Rockhampton Education | Primary and Tertiary Education in Rockhampton

Nervy wait for ABC parents

WITH less than three weeks before her daughter's childcare centre faces possible closure, Joyce Phipps is clinging to every hope it will stay open.
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WITH less than three weeks before her daughter's childcare centre faces possible closure, Joyce Phipps is clinging to every hope it will stay open.

ABC Berserker in Rockhampton is one of hundreds of centres deemed unviable and now surviving with Government funding until March 31 after the childcare giant collapsed late last year.

The centre may be bought out and run by national childcare company Children21.

Ms Phipps said with nothing set in stone, it was a nervous waiting game.

Her three-year-old daughter had been going to the centre three days a week since she was 15 months.

“She is the type of kid who doesn't deal with change very well,” Ms Phipps said.

“I am worried Rhiannon might face behavioural issues if we are forced to take her to another daycare centre.”

Children21 has lodged a bid for all 241 unviable ABC Learning Centres, including the Norman Gardens centre in Rockhampton, with the aim of securing them for operation by the community sector.

Ms Phipps said the latest update she had received from receivers PPB Corporate Recovery was on February 26 explaining that offers had been made on the centres.

The letter stated work would progress through each centre to determine the optimal outcome for the children.

Ms Phipps said parents had been told they would find out the future of the centre at the start of this month.

“I don't know when we will find out, we might only have a week or two at this stage and that is a big concern for most parents,” she said.

“There is a fear of rocking up on April 1 only to find out the centre has been closed.”

Mr Phipps said the staff had always done everything to look after her and Rhiannon and she was worried about the future of their jobs.

With at least 20 kids attending the centre, she said some parents with children in fulltime care had already withdrawn them.

“I have rung around other centres to enquire about vacancies, but I am just hanging onto every hope it will stay open.”

 
Rockhampton Morning Bulletin  

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