Local parents are scrambling to find childcare for their kids after the sudden closure of 12 centres across WA.
Earlier this week, G8 Education announced the closure of 40 of their almost 400 centres in Australia.
This includes Buggles Child Care in Baldivis, Great Beginnings in Secret Harbour and Great Beginnings in Bunbury.
G8 Education Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Pejman Okhovat said the decision to close the childcare centres was due to a fall in enrolments attributed to financial pressures on families and a loss of confidence in the sector after the arrest of former employee Joshua Dale Brown who faces 150 child sex offences.
"The ECEC sector is experiencing unprecedented change and uncertainty, driven by a combination of socio and macro-economic factors, including evolving family demand and lower birth rates and changing operating conditions," Mr Okhovat said.
“At G8 Education, we continuously review how we operate to ensure we can continue delivering safe, high-quality early education and care for children and families, both now and into the future.
“We have a responsibility to operate sustainably and responsibly, in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes for families and supports children to grow, thrive and learn in safe and supportive environments.”
Childcare centres to close in WA:
Buggles Child Care - Baldivis
Jellybeans Child Care Belmont
Jellybeans Child Care Attadale
Buggles Child Care - Beckenham
Buggles Child Care - Success
Great Beginnings Bayswater
Great Beginnings Beckenham
Great Beginnings Bunbury
Great Beginnings Secret Harbour
Great Beginnings Yangebup
Jellybeans Child Care Wembley
The Learning Sanctuary Kings Square
Mr Okhovat said that G8 Education is continuing to work closely with regulators in each State and Territory, and Federally, throughout the process.
“Our immediate focus remains on supporting families to transition to one of its nearby centres and redeploying team members, where possible.”
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