Early learning centre enters voluntary administration

A regional Victorian early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider has entered voluntary administration, with notices published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission confirming the appointment of an administrator on 11 April 2026.

Believe Early Learning Pty Ltd operates two services in regional Victoria, located in Mooroopna near Shepparton and Eaglehawk outside Bendigo.

ASIC records confirm that Andrew Blundell of Cathro & Partners has been appointed as administrator.

The appointment marks the formal commencement of the voluntary administration process, under which an independent administrator assesses the financial position of the business and determines the best outcome for creditors.

Public reporting indicates that both centres will continue to operate during this period, consistent with standard administration practice aimed at maintaining continuity of care, enrolments and workforce stability.

A first meeting of creditors is expected within the statutory timeframe.

ASIC records list Asli Dastan as director and secretary of Believe Early Learning Pty Ltd.

The company operates two services in:

• Mooroopna, Victoria
• Eaglehawk, Victoria

The number of children enrolled and educators employed has not been publicly confirmed.

A related entity, Accept Group Pty Ltd, is also reported to be in administration.

The development adds to a series of recent insolvency events across the ECEC sector, particularly affecting small to mid-sized providers.

Recent examples include:

• Future Kids (Victoria)
• Orchard Early Learning (New South Wales)
• Entities within the Genius Childcare group

These events reflect a range of ongoing pressures, including:

• rising operating and labour costs
• workforce shortages and retention challenges
• increasing regulatory and compliance requirements
• tighter margins, particularly in regional and outer-urban areas

In regional communities, the impact of service instability can be significant, affecting family access to care, workforce participation and local economic activity.

Under the voluntary administration process, the administrator will:

• assess the company’s financial position
• engage with creditors
• determine whether the business can be restructured or sold
• provide recommendations on the future of the company

A second creditors’ meeting will determine the outcome of the process. During this period, services typically continue to operate under administrator oversight. The administration highlights ongoing structural challenges within the sector, particularly for smaller providers operating in regional markets.

Key considerations include:

• limited financial buffers in smaller services
• sensitivity to occupancy fluctuations
• increasing workforce and compliance costs
• the role of governance and financial oversight

The situation also reinforces the importance of sustainable funding models and targeted policy responses to support service viability in regional communities. Further updates are expected as the administration process progresses and additional information becomes available.

Read the ASIC announcement here.