Rebecca Marshall
IT’S not often there is a happy ending when the liquidators are called in.
But three Sunshine Coast childcare centres run by Playground Childcare have been saved from closure, securing the jobs of 30 staff and the care arrangements for 150 children.
Playground Childcare operated three before-and-after-school childcare centres at Mountain Creek, Maroochydore and Buderim State Schools.
The owner of the business Vanessa Healey called in SV Partners when cash flow difficulties meant she was unable to continue.
Helping Hands Network, another childcare service provider operating on the Sunshine Coast, was contracting following the appointment of SV Partners as liquidators.
Negotiations to transfer the operating licences and other regulatory requirements occurred on the same day, saving the 30 employees their jobs and guaranteeing continuous childcare to approximately 150 children.
“Our team worked with the Office of Early Childhood Education and Care, the service provider Helping Hands Network and each of the school’s principals to put together a rescue plan,” SV director Jason Cronan said.
“Our aim was to work with Helping Hands to ensure a seamless transition. It involved plenty of phone calls and fast-tracking of processes that can often take weeks or even months.
“It really was an amazing group effort from all involved.
“Libby Kerr from Helping Hands Network and her team contacted all the parents over the weekend to advise them of the change of ownership and the continuation of childcare services.
“We will continue to work with all parties until everything is settled but we’ve achieved the most important thing and that’s to keep the centres operating.”