ABC Learning Centre’s in Cranbourne are subject to further operation review as revealed in a list released last week.
By Lia Bichel
NONE of Cranbourne’s four ABC Learning Centres and only half of the 24 ABC centres in the City of Casey have been guaranteed to open in 2009, according to a list released by receivers McGrathNichol.
In the City of Casey, 24 of the 66 long day childcare services are ABC Learning Centres, with 1852 of the available 4708 places belonging to the childcare giant.
Twelve of the 24 centres are guaranteed to stay open, while the rest are on a list titled ‘ABC Learning Centres subject to further operational review.’
Shadow Minister Wendy Lovell has called on Minister Maxine Morand and local Labor MP Jude Perera to work with local government and community organisations to ensure no Victorian families are disadvantaged by the closure of ABC Learning Centres in the Casey region.
“It is the responsibility of the Minister and Jude Perera to ensure childcare places will be available in 2009 for Casey parents disadvantaged by the ABC Learning Centre closures,” she said.
“Casey families deserve certainty that they will have access to professional and secure childcare after Christmas and beyond.”
Jude Perera told the News the Victorian Department of Education and Childhood Development has been in close contact with the Commonwealth and will work together to monitor the situation.
“As part of the Commonwealth Government’s strategy it has asked State Governments to assist with contingency plans to ensure the families will continue to have access to services,” he said.
“In line with this strategy the Brumby Government has provided a one off $60,000 grant to the Municipal Association of Victoria to work with local councils to ensure Victorian communities retain the services they need.”
ABC Learning Centres in the City of Casey that are guaranteed to operate in 2009 are
ABC Berwick Central, ABC Lynbrook, ABC Endeavour Hills, ABC Galloway Drive, ABC Hampton Park, ABC Hampton Park South, ABC Heatherton Hills, ABC Narre Warren, ABC Narre Warren Pound Road, ABC Narre Warren North, ABC Narre Warren South Central, and ABC Sherwood Road.
