Bertha Said:

Does anyone know the web address for the Message Board for disgruntled staff of ABC Learning Centres?

We Answered:

I wish I could help you with your question, unfortunately I don't have the answer, but considering the nature of your question, I just had to put my two bobs worth in. I lasted a few weeks as a relief staff member of a centre that was taken over by ABC, and I couldn't run quick enough!

I have also worked in small privately owned child care and community based child care..... community based is definitely the way to go! As assistant director of a community based centre I am involved in the recruitment process.... I can tell you, if someone has an ABC Learning Centre listed in their resume.... we cringe.

I do not believe that the lack of quality of these centres is due to staff, but because of the powers that be. I urge such staff to seriously look at the Early Childhood Code of Ethics and question whether you can say you can adhere to them 100%. If not I strongly urge you to seek work in the industry elsewhere!

Lena Said:

does anyone put any of their kids in abc learning centre?

We Answered:

In Australia there were actually a few cases of child abuse at ABC childcare centres. I only remember that at one they were apparently understaffed so they tied some of the toddlers legs together so they couldn't get into anything.
I don't know of the accuracy of this so am trying to find a link and will post it if I do

This is a story of a child escaping from ABC but still trying to find the other one
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/…

this is one parents feedback re: ABC
I used abc h/side and took my son out because the staff were always quitting which is a bad sign! and often it felt like the kids were being "babysat" and not taught or actually played with. ie the carer was just sitting around


EDIT, couldn't find the one about the abuse and bear in mind that I am sure ABC have probably had lots of positive feedback as well and these things could happen at any childcare facility... I don't want to come across as anti-ABC but you asked for bad experiences..

Jon Said:

Do you think ABC Learning Centres (Australia) will close their doors on families?

We Answered:

They won't close, they are by all accounts profitable, they may have a firesale and sell off the NZ centres which would be good. Big corporations don't belong in ECE. There is however, nothing wrong with for-profit centres, they are the backbone of the ECE sector. The best schools are run by owners who work in the business and are driven to make there business successful which benefits the kids and parents. The sweat shops like ABC and Kidicorp are awful places that are owned by an ex-milkman and an ex-builder who probably only visit each centre once when they are opened.

Marie Said:

what is your personal opinion on your local abc learning centre?

We Answered:

My son attended 2 different ABC centres. Both were fantastic, very organised, friendly, clean and great with the children...only down side is they are fairly expensive.
How old is your son? if he is between 6 weeks and 2 years i would make sure he stays with other children as close to his age as possible. My son was 18 months and they had him in with babies under 1 and he was not learning anything as he was with littler children that really didn't do or say much.., once he hit the toddler room he was the younger one and was learning from bigger kids and he progressed very quickly

Jeanne Said:

How old do i have to be to apply for a job in the ABC learning centre?

We Answered:

well the aboriginal bum cleaners association is for anyone of colour.