CHILDCARE for families at four local ABC Learning Centres could end in March 2009, after a review of the embattled provider.

Two centres at Sydenham and one each at Keilor and St Albans have been listed as non-viable after a review by receiver McGrathNicol.

The company announced on Wednesday that the four local centres were among 241 nation-wide that were non-viable under the ABC Learning Business model.

Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said that “under normal circumstances” those centres would close. However, the government believed that a number of the centres “could be viable under different arrangements”.

“The government also believes these centres could represent an opportunity to gain greater diversity in the childcare market,” Ms Gillard said.

The Federal Government has committed up to $34 million to keep the centres open into the new year and, if necessary, until 31 March 2009.

The government will apply for a court-appointed administrator to take over the centres and investigate other childcare models, under which those centres could continue to operate beyond the March deadline.

Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Childcare, Maxine McKew, visited Brimbank last week with Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten.

Ms McKew said discussions with the local member indicated that local parents were “satisfied” with the government’s response to the ABC crisis.

She said the situation was the result of a complex corporate collapse and that the government was looking to address “more than the bottom line” when developing a solution to the problem.

“There are no big profits to be made in childcare,” she said.

“This situation has come about by unchecked growth of a dominant corporate player.

“Now what we are looking for is to provide a high quality of service to families.”

Ms McKew said she supported the government’s view that the 241 centres could be made viable and remain open after the March 31 deadline, under a new business model.

She said the solution might be that smaller providers, including not-for-profit organisations and private carers, take on operation of the centres.

Ms McKew and Mr Shorten visited Alexandra Avenue Childcare Centre while in the area, chatting with parents and children about their experiences with the centre.

“It’s no accident that we’re visiting this centre,” Mr Shorten said.

“It is well known for its high quality of service and staff, and its continuity of staff speaks volumes for the centre.”

McGrathNicol also announced that 720 profitable centres would remain open under a restructured ABC Learning Learning Group, while a further 55 would close after January 1.

Parents with children in any of the 55 centres will be offered a place for their child in nearby profitable ABC centres or centres run by other providers.

The status of all ABC Learning childcare centres is available on the company’s website: www.childcare.com.

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Further information on the availability of childcare in local areas can be found at www.mychild.gov.au.