LEICHHARDT MP Jim Turnour says the Far North's 21 ABC Learning childcare centres will be taken over by private companies and non-government agencies.

But he can't say when it will happen.

Hundreds of families fear they will be in limbo after a $22 million Federal Government lifeline runs out on December 31.

Independent and chain childcare centres across Cairns say waiting lists will be up to 18 months if the centres permanently close.

The ABC childcare chain, with more than 1500 Far North families as clients, has been placed in the hands of receivers and owes more than $1 billion.

Mr Turnour yesterday said he had been approached by a non-government organisation interested in taking over one Far Northern centre.

Following Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard's comments about takeovers this week, Mr Turnour said he would encourage the Cairns Regional Council to consider helping struggling centres.

He said it was too early to give a timeframe of when any possible takeovers would happen.

"The receiver is working through about the viability of centres across the nation but I think most of them (in the Far North) will be sustainable," he said.

"I don't want to pre-empt what will happen but I think most centres, hopefully, will be picked up by somebody else or they will be sold as going centres."

A hotline has been set up to provide information to parents and employees. Call 1800 222 543 or visit http://mychild.gov.au

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