Precious Cargo Montessori schools enter voluntary administration
Precious Cargo entered voluntary administrationIts seven schools will remain openREAD MORE: I'm a multimillionaire mom whose children were able to buy real estate before age 20 - here are four key steps all parents should take to ensure their kids become financially literate from a young age
A Montessori childcare chain has entered voluntary administration as its director admits she was unable to 'navigate' sector-wide challenges.
Seven Precious Cargo schools, a South Australian company founded by Cheryl Shigrov in 2006, has promised to keep their doors open while finding a new owner.
The chain also has four non-operating schools which have gone into liquidation.
Ms Shigrov, who is also the 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 entered administration but promised to keep its seven schools open while finding a new owner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/04/11/85687799-13492369-Precious_Cargo_pictured_has_entered_administration_but_promised_-a-33_1717498559266.jpg)
Precious Cargo (pictured) has entered administration but promised to keep its seven schools open while finding a new owner
![Precious Cargo (pictured) offers a Montessori education for children before they enter school](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/04/11/85687797-13492369-Precious_Cargo_pictured_offers_a_Montessori_education_for_childr-a-34_1717498559272.jpg)
Precious Cargo (pictured) offers a Montessori education for children before they enter school
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'Precious Cargo stood apart with its exterior branding and contemporary interiors and was the first to offer food from commercial kitchens, to provide dinners for the children, embedded music rooms that offered extended curriculum and incorporated chickens and veggie patches to the outdoor areas,' Ms Shigrov told the ABC.
'I relish the part that Precious Cargo played in altering the trajectory of childcare centres, and ultimately the learning outcomes for children in Australia.
'Today, I continue to have our children, their families and our staff at the forefront as I work through the administration process to a positive outcome.'
Ms Shigrov confirmed the seven centres - in Blackwood, Collinswood, Lockleys, Marion, St Peters, Westbourne Park and Woodville Park - will stay open through the administration process until a buyer was found.
Precious Cargo offers a Montessori education for children before they enter school.
The general age groups for the school 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 appealing environments for its students.
![Precious Cargo designed its spaces (pictured) around creating appealing environments for its students](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/04/11/85687795-13492369-Precious_Cargo_designed_its_spaces_pictured_around_creating_appe-a-35_1717498559296.jpg)
Precious Cargo designed its spaces (pictured) around creating appealing environments for its students
'The Montessori classroom is prepared by the trained teachers with interesting activities to excite the child's imagination. Different tasks are arranged on trays and are accessible from the shelving around the classroom,' the school's website states.
'Each tray has a hidden lesson, as it focuses on one skill or task and it may give children practice at developing and refining hand control, eye and hand coordination or problem solving.
'Montessori teachers are skilled observers and each child is allocated a focus teacher who is responsible for ascertaining that child's academic level and will then introduce specific curriculum to meet each child's interest and ability.'
Several parents told the ABC they hope they won't be forced to change schools.