A Montessori childcare chain has gone into voluntary administration after its director admitted she was unable to ‘navigate’ sector-wide challenges.
Seven Precious Cargo schools, a South Australian company founded by Cheryl Shigrov in 2006, has pledged to keep their doors open while they find a new owner.
The chain also has four non-operating schools that have gone bankrupt.
Ms Shigrov, who is also director of Precious Cargo, hoped students and parents would work with administrators to keep the company alive while they wait for a lifeline.
She also took the opportunity to reflect on the company’s initial success.
Precious Cargo (pictured) has gone into administration but has pledged to keep its seven schools open while a new owner is found
Precious Cargo (photo) offers Montessori education for children before they go to school
“Distinguished by its exterior brand and contemporary interior, Precious Cargo was the first to offer food from commercial kitchens, catered children’s dinners, offer built-in music rooms that offered a comprehensive curriculum and integrate chicken and vegetable plots into the outdoor areas,” Ms. Shigrov told the ABC.
“I enjoy the role Precious Cargo has played in changing the trajectory of childcare centers, and ultimately the learning outcomes for children in Australia.
“Today, I continue to put our children, their families and our staff first as I work through the administrative process to achieve a positive outcome.”
Ms Shigrov confirmed that the seven centers – in Blackwood, Collinswood, Lockleys, Marion, St Peters, Westbourne Park and Woodville Park – will remain open during the administration process until a buyer is found.
Precious Cargo offers Montessori education for children before they go to school.
The general age ranges for the school are a maximum of 16 months for Nursery, a maximum of two years for Waddlers and between three and four years for Kindy or Preschool.
The Montessori education system uses activities to engage children in learning, rather than traditional teaching methods.
Precious Cargo designed its spaces around creating attractive environments for its students.
Precious Cargo designed its spaces (pictured) around creating engaging environments for its students
‘The Montessori classroom is prepared by the trained teachers with interesting activities to stimulate the child’s imagination. Various tasks are arranged on trays and can be accessed from classroom shelves,” according to the school’s website.
‘Each tray has a hidden lesson as it focuses on one skill or task and can give children practice developing and refining hand control, eye and hand coordination or problem solving.
“Montessori teachers are experienced observers and each child is assigned a focus teacher who is responsible for identifying that child’s academic level and then introducing a specific curriculum to meet each child’s interests and abilities.”
Several parents told the ABC they hope they will not be forced to change schools.
