Another Edge Early Learning centre permanently closes in Canberra
The Edge Early Learning preschool network will permanently close its centre in the Charnwood district in northern Canberra after a three-month suspension imposed by the Australian Capital Territory regulator. The company told families that, from a practical perspective, it would be impossible to resume the facility’s operations after such a break, ABC News Australia reports.
The Children’s Education and Care Assurance (CECA) regulator suspended the Charnwood centre’s operations for three months and required Edge to increase staffing beyond the minimum staff-to-child ratio established by law.
Regulator’s concerns
CECA representative Sean Moisi said that significant staff turnover and a high proportion of inexperienced employees were substantial risk factors for the supervision and safety of children. According to him, the regulator identified a recurring problem: employees did not know where children were at the facility or could not find them.
Moisi also said that the average tenure of the centre’s appointed manager was 23 weeks. CECA expected that the suspension would allow the facility to improve staff retention and build an experienced team.
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In a letter to families, Edge said it had sought to address the regulator’s concerns over the past 12 months by changing management, strengthening staff training and support for senior specialists. At the same time, the company said it did not consider the regulator’s decision proportionate.
Second closed centre
The closure of Charnwood became the second case of an Edge Early Learning centre in Canberra permanently ceasing operations within two months. Earlier, the company decided not to reopen its Higgins centre after a one-month suspension of its operations.
At the time, CECA said the urgent suspension of the Higgins centre was related to a failure to take appropriate action in response to a serious medical incident involving a child. The regulator said there was an immediate risk to the safety and health of children.
Last week, Edge Early Learning, which has facilities in the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and South Australia, entered voluntary administration. The company said it sought to preserve the operation of centres across the country. On September 1, administrators announced a nationwide call for applications from potential buyers of Edge’s services or the company itself. The Edge centre in Ngunnawal in northern Canberra continues to operate.
