Busy Bees Toowoomba: Childcare Centre reveals reason behind shock closure

A Toowoomba childcare centre has lifted the lid on why it abruptly closed its doors last week, as parents scramble to find new places for their little ones.

A Toowoomba childcare centre on the outskirts of the Toowoomba CBD has abruptly shut its doors, catching parents and even the building’s landlord off-guard.

Last week Busy Bees at Toowoomba Central emailed parents, informing them it would be immediately shutting its doors.

A Busy Bees spokeswoman, which is owned by Fel Child Care Centre and operates nationwide, said the centre closed for building remediation works, and it was helping parents find alternative care.

Parents took to social media to claim issues with staff numbers, which the organisation declined to comment on.

A number of advertisements for the centre were listed online in the weeks prior to the sudden closure.

Bussy Bees Toowoomba Central, childcare centre closed abruptly in September 2023.

Toowoomba developer and Bernoth Centre landlord Mitchell Bernoth said he was completely shocked when he learned Busy Bees had shut.

“We found out last week at the same time as parents,” he said.

Mr Bernoth said he received a letter from a London solicitor on Friday, September 15, stating the childcare centre was shutting down due to building issues and he would receive a full report within a week.

“There wasn’t much information provided,” he said.

“We are still waiting on their report, but as I understand it, there are no issues with the structure itself, but with the (internal) fit-out.

“Once we receive that report we will work with them to get it back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Developers Barry and Mitchell Bernoth.

Barry Bernoth said the fit-out in question was installed by the number of childcare centres that operated out of the space.

“We need to resolve this issue, but we don’t have much information. The communication has been difficult because it’s a multinational company,” he said.

“Our policy is to treat our tenancy as a partnership.”

The Busy Bees spokeswoman said there was no current time frame for when the centre would reopen.

“(We’re) engaging with the landlord and informed the Department of Education of the extent of building remediation works required at the centre requiring the centre to temporarily close to families,” she said.

“Following initial external repairs carried out by the landlord, internal remediation work commenced and during this process, it became apparent that the extent of works required was more significant than first anticipated.

“Reports into the extent of building remediation works required are expected over the next week and that will determine how long the centre will be closed.”

A sign was put on Busy Bees door following its abrupt closure on Thursday, September 14, giving people a number to call for information.

She said the organisation would continue to liaise with the landlord so families could return to the centre as soon as possible.

“Families have been provided information on how Busy Bees can support them including options to transfer to another centre or cancel their enrolment with Busy Bees,” she said.

“Busy Bees Toowoomba Central employees continue to be employed on full pay during this time.”

Originally published as Busy Bees Toowoomba: Childcare Centre reveals reason behind shock closure