Craigslea Kindergarten in Chermside West released a notice earlier this month, informing parents they would either have to pay to take their child’s artwork home or leave it behind.

The centre said the funds would be used to pay back $40,000 it allegedly owed to staff members.

Bev, a spokesperson, mentioned, “My heart and soul are in the kindergarten, and the recent events affect not just the educators but the entire community.”

“It just breaks my heart to think that this one man can do what he’s done to the kindergarten.

“The staff have not been able to access the building, we have not been able to get our personal effects.

“We all received a final payslip along with an email stating that unfortunately, any redundancy packages would not be issued because the kindergarten is insolvent,” she added.

Craigslea Kindergarten is affiliated with early childhood education provider C&K but is independently run.

A C&K spokesperson told 9News that the complaints raised by families are under review and they “strongly condemn any practice involving charging parents for their children’s portfolios.”