The centre, which operated under the name ‘Little Learners Early Education’ in the suburb of Taylors Lakes, reportedly locked its doors on Monday morning, leaving parents who arrived for drop-off to find a note taped to the entrance. The note stated that the business had ‘ceased operations effective immediately’ due to ‘unforeseen financial circumstances’. No further details were provided by the centre’s management, who have not been reachable since.
Parents were given no prior warning, and many had paid fees for the week in advance. One mother, who asked not to be named, said she had to take an unpaid day off work because she had no backup care. ‘I just stood there with my daughter, not knowing what to do. We have no idea if we’ll get our money back,’ she told reporters.
The Victorian Department of Education and Training has confirmed it is investigating the closure. A spokesperson said the department is working to ensure affected families are connected with nearby centres that have available places. ‘Our priority is to minimise disruption to children and families,’ the spokesperson said. The department also noted that the centre was not operating under the National Quality Framework, which regulates most long day care services, but was instead a ‘standalone’ private provider registered with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
Local MP for Sydenham, Natalie Suleyman, said she has been contacted by ‘dozens of distressed parents’ and is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Early Childhood. ‘This is a completely unacceptable situation. Families trust these centres with their children, and they deserve to know that they won’t be left in the lurch overnight,’ she said.
Childcare experts warn that the incident highlights the vulnerability of parents who rely on small, independent operators. ‘The sector is highly regulated, but there are still gaps when it comes to financial oversight of smaller businesses,’ said Dr. Emily Wong, a policy researcher at the University of Melbourne. ‘Parents rarely have visibility into a centre’s financial health, and sudden closures like this can be devastating.’
The centre employed approximately 15 staff, who are now also without work. The United Workers Union, which represents some childcare workers, said it has been contacted by former employees who have not been paid their final wages. ‘We are exploring all legal options to recover unpaid wages and entitlements,’ a union spokesperson said.
As families grapple with the sudden change, community groups have organised a temporary playgroup at a local hall to provide short-term relief. The Department of Education has set up a hotline for affected families, and a list of nearby centres with vacancies is being compiled.