Edge Early Learning, one of Australia’s larger private childcare operators, has placed 44 companies into voluntary administration, with Craig Shepard, David Johnstone and Stacey Clisby of KordaMentha appointed voluntary administrators on 25 August 2026. The appointments encompass Edge Early Learning Holdings Pty Ltd, operating and property entities across the group, and Montague Road Early Learning Pty Ltd, the only company on the appointment list that does not carry the Edge name. Edge said the administrators are undertaking an urgent review while its centres continue operating.
The Brisbane-based group opened its first Queensland childcare centres in 2017 and expanded into South Australia in 2022 through the acquisition of 17 centres. At the time of the appointments, its website listed 68 centres across Queensland, South Australia and the ACT.
The administrators have not yet revealed the causes of Edge’s financial difficulties. However, public disclosures from major landlord Arena REIT show that liquidity pressure had emerged before the appointments. Edge leases 31 Arena-owned properties across Queensland and South Australia, representing approximately 14% of Arena’s annual rental income. Arena said Edge was current…