Receiver Chris Honey said children from the closed centres would be sent to other ABC centres within a 2.5km average radius.

The centres to close at the end of the year are ABC Victor Crescent in Narre Warren, ABC Berwick South, ABC Endeavour Hills Central, ABC Hampton Park North and ABC Stirling Avenue in Cranbourne.

ABC Kilberry-OSHC in Hampton Park was in doubt but has now been deemed viable and moved to the "safe list" of centres that will continue to operate as part of the ABC Group in 2009.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the Government would spend $34 million to keep 241 child-care centres open into the new year, possibly until March 31.

Centres to receive the lifeline include ABC Berwick North, ABC Brookland Greens, ABC Cranbourne, ABC Cranbourne East, ABC Eumemmerring, ABC Hunt Club in Cranbourne East and ABC Power Road in Doveton.

The NSW Supreme Court would be asked to appoint a receiver to work with the Government, landlords, staff and parents to ensure continuity of care for children while options were examined for a "sustainable future", Ms Gillard said.

Mr Honey conceded the solution was not perfect.

"However, we have sought to minimise the impact on families and consider it is the best outcome in the circumstances."

Opposition child-care spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella said the $34million rescue bill

did not provide certainty for families. "The news that 55 ABC centres will close and a further 241 centres are unviable but will remain open just for a few more months still leaves many parents facing uncertainty into the new year - it is not the news they needed heading into Christmas."