Childcare chain plunged into voluntary administration

Dozens of childcare centres are on a precipice after the Edge Early Learning chain entered voluntary administration on Wednesday.

The provider oversees almost 70 national centres, including 15 in Brisbane and 42 across Queensland.

In a statement published online, Edge Early Learning confirmed KordaMentha had been appointed to oversee the embattled childcare provider.

The chain also assured parents it was “continuing to operate all centres on a business-as-usual basis” during the administration process, which it estimated would take several weeks.

“Our immediate focus is to maintain the safe and ongoing operation of each centre while this urgent review is undertaken,” a statement said.

Edge Early Learning advised families there would be no change to fees.

Excursions and activities would remain unaffected wherever possible, but the provider promised to contact families if centres were impacted by the administration.

Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May urged the Commonwealth to provide an alternative for families if the childcare centre chain collapsed.

“I can’t imagine seeing the headlines today and learning the early learning centre you rely on could be closing imminently,” Hodgins-May said.

“If a primary or secondary school closed tomorrow, governments would have a plan to make sure every student could continue their education. Why should early learning be any different?”

Edge Early Learning has been under scrutiny for more than a year.

On July 31, the chain requested a rent abatement from Arena, the company that owns properties leased by 31 Edge Early Learning centres. The childcare provider later defaulted on rent.

Both instances occurred in 2023, with Caboolture Magistrates Court convicting former worker Amber Rielly, 31, of one count of assault occasioning bodily harm of a minor in July 2025.

KordaMentha’s Craig Shepard, David Johnstone and Stacey Clisby were appointed to oversee Edge Early Learning’s restructuring.

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