ABC Kingsville will close its doors by the end of the year, ending a 12-year history.

Receivers McGrathNicol confirmed last week the troubled centre was one of 55 ABC Learning Centres deemed unprofitable and would close down when the government’s lifeline expires on 31 December.

Children at the doomed centres would be allocated places at nearby ABC centres that will remain open.

Parents have expressed anger and sorrow at the closure, which could force some Kingsville families to travel up to 25 kilometres to seek alternative childcare.

“I’m pretty annoyed about it,” said one parent, who did not wish to be named.

The Yarraville mother-of-two said parents and staff at the centre had been offered places at ABC centres in Braybrook, Williamstown or Werribee; the latter a 25 kilometre journey.

Staff were given until Friday to make their decision.

The woman said consideration of distances and money had left her little choice other than Braybrook.

“I can’t afford Williamstown prices,” she said.

“I chose Braybrook but I’m not happy about it.

I live right around the corner from here and now I’ll have to cross Geelong Rd in peak hour traffic. I’m pretty annoyed about it.”

Another parent said he was disappointed the centre was closing down.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic centre,” the man said.

“The staff there do a great job. We’ve always been happy to leave our daughter there. It’s an absolute shame. I feel sorry for the staff because they are going to have to be split up.”

The announcement comes as many Maribyrnong families struggle to gain access to childcare, with only 58 vacancies remaining for 2009 across the city’s 12 non-ABC centres.

Council waiting lists for Kingsville and Yarraville alone reveal 228 children are waiting for care.

Although an ABC spokeswoman would not comment on how many children would lose places at Kingsville’s ABC, figures on the Maribyrnong Council website indicate the centre can cater to as many as 33 children.

McGrathNicol’s Neil Honey said receivers would be working closely with parents to relocate them by the end of the year.

“We appreciate this solution is not perfect, as some children will need to move to other centres, however we have sought to minimise the impact on families and consider it is the best outcome in the circumstances,” Mr Honey said.