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Liquidators appointed for Unicare ECEC service at University of WA
Freya Lucas
Dec 14, 2023
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New owners are being sought for a not-for-profit early childhood service on the University of WA campus after it entered voluntary administration last week.
The service, which operates under the name Unicare, went into voluntary administration on 7 December, when WA Insolvency Solutions were appointed voluntary administrators.Unicare was last in the news in 2019, when the service suddenly closed overnight, sparking a Regulatory Authority investigation.
In 2019, United Voice (now known as United Workers Union) held a meeting with staff, issuing a public statement which noted that its members “have been concerned about the operation of the centre for a significant period of time".
The service opened in 1988 offering education and care for 122 children, however its history stretches back to 1971 when a group of students seeking care established the University Child Care Club and opened a small house the following year to care for 20 children.
This grew to three houses by 1975, with Unicare’s current building on Parkway built in 1985. Run by a parent board, the service offers care for children aged four months to four years of age. Jimmy Trpcevski and David Hurt from WA Insolvency Solutions’ will run the business while an investigation is underway and the organisation’s financial position is reviewed.
“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 Trpcevisk shared with Perth News.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of staff and parents whilst the voluntary administration process is undertaken.”
An expressions of interest period to purchase assets or restructure and continue the business recently opened.
Access the Perth News coverage of this story here.
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