Crossway Preschool in Brighton will close its doors in 2026 blindsiding local families
Brighton families have been left reeling after a local kinder announced it would close next year, but educational insiders warn it’s the ‘canary in the coal mine’, as many services struggle to absorb the costs of future regulations.
Another Victorian kindergarten has announced it will close its doors in 2026, blindsiding families, but educational insiders say it’s the ‘canary in the coal mine’, as many services are unable to upgrade their facilities or absorb the costs of future regulations.
Crossway Preschool in Brighton announced on Wednesday it would close its doors in 2026, citing increased state government regulation and the massive costs of upgrading facilities.
The move will affect more than 40 children, and staff members are reportedly devastated.
A statement posted to the facility’s website said, “We have reviewed the sustainability of the preschool in light of recent changes to state government regulatory environments and the resulting financial implications.”
“These changes have added significant compliance and service delivery risk, putting the preschool in an untenable financial position for 2026. We understand this is deeply disappointing news. We are moving as early as possible to assist families in exploring alternative options for children’s 2026 placements.”
Senior Pastor of Crossway, Dale Stephenson, told the Herald Sun the decision was not taken lightly and that they had been in discussion with the department for some time to find a fix.
“It was a decision that had to be made for financial reasons,” he said.
“It is with great regret that Crossway had to make this decision.”
He said the church considered keeping the school open for at least another year to help families transition, but it was feared that the service could not operate to a high standard once staff and families began looking for alternative longer-term options.
It’s understood that the Department of Education is also talking with several other facilities across Victoria, which are facing the same fate.
The Victorian government has been approached for comment.
It comes after other daycare centres and kindergartens in the southeast and the north have cited similar reasons for closure.
Brighton MP James Newbury said it followed other closures in his area and warned service delivery was being impacted by the Allan government’s decision-making.
“Kindergartens in inner-city areas have been screaming out that the state Labor government’s financial model is unsustainable.
“Those concerns have fallen on Jacinta Allan’s deaf ears. Another kinder in Bayside has not been forced to close because of the state government.
“With just over 50 days remaining until the end of the year, Bayside families are now stranded. When will the Premier stop ignoring the issue and help struggling kindergartens?”
The Victorian Government flagged a slowdown for education facilities, including kindergartens, in its last two budgets.
In 2024, it revealed the rollout of further subsidies for four-year-old kinder would be dramatically slowed down.
The pre-prep program, described as a new year of schooling for four-year-olds, started in 2025 but is not expected to be fully implemented until 2036.
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Originally published as Crossway Preschool in Brighton will close its doors in 2026 blindsiding local families
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