THE newly appointed receivers of troubled childcare giant ABC Learning have moved to assure parents the company's 1200 centres will remain open.

ABC Learning's board of directors today placed the company in voluntary administration handing over management to insolvency firm Ferrier Hodgson.

Corporate advisory firm McGrathNicol has been appointed receivers and managers of the company and will assume control of the business and its assets.

McGrathNicol partner Chris Honey assured parents ABC's Australian and New Zealand childcare centres would continue to operate as usual.

"I would like to assure all parents and staff that following our appointment their local childcare centre will continue to operate as usual," he said.

"The interests of children, families, staff and their entitlements are central to our considerations in this process.

"It is our intention to manage this process smoothly, and avoid disruption to families."