Childcare centre at UWA enters administration

Childcare centre Unicare based at the University of Western Australia's Crawley campus has been placed into the hands of administrators with the intention to sell or restructure the organisation.

WA Insolvency Solutions’ Jimmy Trpcevski and David Hurt were appointed administrators of University Child Care Club, trading under the name Unicare Early Childhood Education on Thursday.

Unicare is a not-for-profit early childhood education organisation run by a board of parents that was opened in 1988, after receiving support from the university and the government to construct the centre at the Crawley campus.

The childcare centre- which has about 120 places- will continue to operate to provide the vital service to families while the administrators investigate and review the financial position of the company.

The administrators will also launch an expression of interest period for the purchase of the assets or the restructuring and continuation of the business.

The childcare centre has previously been in the news after it abruptly closed its doors in 2019, reportedly due to staffing issue involving a senior member.

Unicare either meets or exceeds all of the National Quality Standards for operating an early childhood education and care facility, according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.  

“We are mindful of the impact the appointment has on the parents and children attending Unicare, and we will keep them advised as the overall position of the matter unfolds,” Mr Trpcevski said.

“We appreciate the ongoing support of staff and parents whilst the voluntary administration process is undertaken.”

United Workers Union early education director Helen Gibbons said the union was currently speaking to members at the centre, and that it was available to support members during this difficult time.

“High quality community services like Unicare are vital to children and families across Australia,” she said,

“The difficulties faced by this service are symptomatic of the pressures experienced by services and educators across the sector due to the current severe staffing crisis.”

Ms Gibbons further said that the “real long-term solution” for these issues could only be federal government reform.

“The Federal government must urgently commit to funding a wage rise for educators and put an end to the crisis in the sector,” she said.

“Without the certainty that Federal funding tied to wages would provide, we will continue to see centres struggle to find staff and remain viable.”