A Montessori nursery chain has gone into voluntary administration as its director admits she was unable to “overcome” sector-wide challenges.
Seven Precious Cargo Schools, a South Australian business founded by Cheryl Shigrov in 2006, has vowed to keep its doors open while it finds a new owner.
The chain also has four non-operating schools that have gone into liquidation.
Shigrov, who is also a director at Precious Cargo, hoped students and parents would work with administrators to keep the company alive while they wait for a lifeline.
He also took the opportunity to reflect on the company’s early success.
Precious Cargo (pictured) has gone into administration but has vowed to keep its seven schools open while it finds a new owner.
Precious Cargo (pictured) offers Montessori education for children before they enter school
“Precious Cargo stood out for its contemporary exterior branding and interiors and was the first to offer food from commercial kitchens, offer dinners for children, integrated music rooms that offered an expanded curriculum and incorporated chickens and vegetable gardens into the outdoor areas. outdoors,” Ms. Shigrov told the ABC.
‘I enjoy the role Precious Cargo played in altering the trajectory of childcare and ultimately children’s learning outcomes in Australia.
“Today I continue to keep our children, their families and our staff at the forefront as I work through the administrative process to achieve a positive outcome.”
Shigrov confirmed that the seven centers – in Blackwood, Collinswood, Lockleys, Marion, St Peters, Westbourne Park and Woodville Park – will remain open during the administrative process until a buyer is found.
Precious Cargo offers a Montessori education for children before they enter school.
The school’s general age groups are up to 16 months for its Nursery room, up to 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 engaging environments for its students.
Precious Cargo designed its spaces (pictured) around creating engaging environments for its students
‘The Montessori classroom is prepared by trained teachers with interesting activities to stimulate the child’s imagination. The different assignments are arranged on trays and are accessible from the shelves around the classroom,” the school website states.
‘Each tray has a hidden lesson as it focuses on a skill or task and can give children practice in developing and perfecting hand control, hand-eye coordination or problem solving.
“Montessori teachers are skilled observers and each child is assigned a focus teacher who is responsible for determining that child’s academic level and will then present a specific curriculum to meet each child’s interests and abilities.”
Several parents told ABC they hope they are not forced to change schools.
