Kidicorp, One of NZ's Largest Providers of Early Childhood Education, Purchases ABC Learning Centres

Kidicorp Limited, a former NZX company and New Zealand’s largest private provider of childcare and education announced today that it has entered into an agreement to buy the 124 ABC Learning early childhood education centres in New Zealand as well as the NZ College Of ECE in Christchurch.

Says Wayne Wright Managing Director of Kidicorp, “We feel very positive about the benefits that will flow on to teachers, children and families from being part of the Kidicorp family”.

“There is a lot of work still to be done to ensure a smooth transition but staff and parents will be kept informed of our progress,” he said.

The purchase means there will be over 230 centres nationwide, providing care and education to just over 15,000 children and employing more than 3500 staff.

Kidicorp is privately owned by a Family Trust of Wayne and Chloe Wright in Tauranga. The company has a Board with two Auckland based independent directors.

The Wrights have a strong and long term vision to make a positive difference in children's lives which is why they got involved in early childhood education.

The future of the ABC Learning group in NZ has been uncertain for some time since the collapse of its Australian parent body.

Says Dr Sarah Farquhar of ChildForum "This is exciting news. The sale brings a sense of security for the children, families, and employees of the ABC childcare chain that their services will continue to operate, and new ownership means we may see further improvement in the quality of provision and service".

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