Childcare centre numbers bounce back, report finds

Not only have Queensland childcare centres survived the COVID-19 lockdown, but they’re in a better position than before.

Queensland childcare centres are bouncing back from their near-collapse at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, to a stronger position than before, new research has revealed.

Occupancy rates at Queensland centres are above the national average, with a report from Early Years Research, Xplor and QikKids finding rates surged to 77 per cent by the end of last year.

The sector took a nosedive during the height of the pandemic in 2020, as large swathes of the population worked from home and people pulled their kids out of care.

The report revealed the pandemic cost the childcare sector almost $5 billion nationally, with more than 120 forced to close in the last three months of 2020 alone.

Queensland Good Life childcare centre owner Cassandra Bourke said her business was nearing collapse after the pandemic struck, with occupancy rates plunging to less than 20 per cent.

Ms Bourke’s centre had been open barely a month before the COVID-19 restrictions ramped up in March last year.

Revenue plunged from about $12,000 per week to less than $4500, while occupancy shrank to 19 per cent.

At the time, her wage bill alone was above $7000 per week.

Owner Cassandra Bourke with Evie Dignam, 14 months, and Ivar Thompson, 11 months, at Goodlife Kindergarten and Child Care in Park Ridge. Picture: Tara Croser

“If it wasn’t for JobKeeper, we wouldn’t have survived,” Ms Bourke said.

But after coming whisper close to shutting the doors for good, a surge in demand meant Ms Bourke was soon set to open an additional centre with plans to employ more staff.

“The free childcare attracted a lot of essential workers who perhaps didn’t think they could afford childcare, while others also took up extra days since they didn’t need to pay,” she said.

“When the free childcare finished, I think a lot of those parents decided to keep the extra days, and made room to be able to afford it.

“I’m feeling excited about the future, it’s proved to me how important childcare is and I think the rest of Australia will have a different perspective on early childhood education.”

Xplor Technologies chief executive Mark Woodland said the pandemic had been a positive catalyst for change, with centres adapting their offerings to compete with rising demand for online learning.

“Despite the occupancy challenges it faced for many months, the Australian childcare and early education sector is now recovering rapidly from the effects of the pandemic, and we’re seeing signs of strong growth across the country,” he said.

“The childcare centre of the future could be one that serves children all over the nation with a combination of virtual learning programs and onsite education – ultimately making remote education more accessible for all.”