Hearts & Minds Early Learning in Christies Beach to close by end of July, leaving parents scrambling

As SA parents struggle to find childcare centre spaces read the weird reason this one is shutting down, leaving desperate mums and dads just three weeks to find care for their kids.

Dozens of families in Adelaide’s south could be without childcare after a popular early learning centre revealed it will close its doors later this month.

Hearts & Minds Early Learning in Christies Beach announced on Tuesday that it will shut in three weeks.

Operations manager Kate Hare, who is based in New South Wales, said the closure was because the centre “was not making enough money”.

“One of the reasons we’re closing is because of the competition,” Ms Hare said.

“Our numbers have dropped right down.”

The centre is licensed to hold 33 children, but is currently “running at about 50 or 60 per cent occupancy”.

She said families were notified on Tuesday that the centre would be closing on July 21.

Facilities were in desperate need of an upgrade, but the business did not have the funds to complete it, she said.

“We’re not making enough money to do an upgrade.

“We put fees up six weeks ago but it didn’t help.”

Following the announcement, “desperate” mothers were left scrambling to find other childcare options.

Children playing at a childcare centre. Picture: File (generic)

An anonymous mother took to social media to share her concerns, admitting the centre’s closure was a “bomb” she wasn’t prepared for.

“Unfortunately my daughter’s childcare just dropped a bomb that they are closing up in less than 3 weeks and I am desperate to now find the right centre for her,” she wrote on a Facebook group.

“I have previously had her in a centre that was awful and when we moved and when we moved to the new one it was a lot smaller and have a lovely vibe but now we are back at square one and this mum is anxious!”

Tash Skinner, who sends her children to the centre, said she didn’t know why there was such a rush to close it down.

“I don’t understand how they made this decision and not given us more time,” she said.

“My kids were there 2 days a week so it will impact us but I feel for the parents now trying to hunt for full time care in 2 weeks.”

Ms Skinner said the centre had struggled to keep staff but more children had been starting in recent weeks.

Hearts & Minds Early Learning currently has five centres around the country. The Christies Beach centre is their only one in SA.

Other mothers voiced their concerns over the closure.

“Not really adequate notice,” one said.

“I’m so disappointed.”

The closure comes as the Australian Childcare Alliance reports a shortage of qualified early childhood educators is forcing centres to cap enrolments.

Parents have been left scrambling to find an alternative after an early learning centre revealed it will shut its doors.

A recent survey of member-centres – including 19 in SA – during one week in February this year showed 16,300 places were denied to families over the period.

ACA President Paul Mondo said last month they “urgently need at least 10,000 well-trained, competent early childhood educators and teachers” to fill vacancies in the sector.

“We simply do not have enough people to meet the demand for early learning and care, while also remaining compliant with the educator-ratios put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and staff alike,” he said.

“To attract and retain the educators we urgently need, we are calling for a significant investment from the Australian Government to increase wages and attract more workers into the sector.”

The centre has recommended families take their children to nearby childcare centres.

Ms Hare told parents that Hearts and Minds Early Learning would operate as usual until their last opening day.