Australia’s largest ASX listed provider of quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), G8 Education (G8) is encouraging families to prepare now for room transitions, after releasing new data today highlighting that the majority of room transitions occur in January, and successful room transitions can set children up to thrive in their early years.

The majority of the 41,000+ children aged 0-5 in G8 Education’s 400+ ECEC centres around the country are enrolled for three days each week, followed closely by two days each week, with the data suggesting that many parents either work part-time hours, or have help from grandparents or other carers.

The data* varies when looking at different states and territories:

• The majority of children in Victoria, NSW and Queensland attend ECEC for three days each week, whereas the majority of children in South Australia, West Australia and ACT are in care for two days each week.
• Queensland has the largest amount (20 per cent) of children in care fulltime or five days each week.

G8 Education’s latest data also revealed that Tuesday was the most popular day that families enroll their children in care, closely followed by Wednesday, Thursday, Monday and then Friday.

G8’s Chief Education and Learning Officer Ali Evans, who has worked in the sector for more than 30 years, highlighted that January is when many children and families are commencing education and care or transitioning to new rooms.

“Almost half of all children enrolled in G8 Education centres will transition rooms in January each year, with the remainder of children transitioning at different times throughout the year,” Ms. Evans said.

“Room transitions are an important focus at G8 Education – taking the time to transition children respectfully and in collaboration with them and their families, can mean the difference between a happy, secure child and family or a possible negative experience.

“Continuity of education and care is important and starting the room transition phase in advance will ensure children, families and the team feel secure throughout this process.

“Some children will require different strategies and support to ensure a successful transition – it is important there is collaboration between the family and the teacher or educator as well as the children having input.

“Children may spend extended hours in early childhood education and care centres each day so ensuring they feel comfortable, safe, supported and excited about their new rooms will help them thrive throughout the year.”

The new data also revealed the average length of time each day that a child was cared for in a G8 centre in 2024 was 7 hours and 58 minutes. Children in the ACT were in G8 centres for the longest amount of time each day which was 8 hours and 14 minutes on average, and children in New South Wales were cared for in G8 centres for the shortest amount of time each day which was 7 hours and 53 minutes on average.

Throughout 2024, the most common drop off time was 8:30am nationally. Children in Queensland and Western Australia are signed in earlier on average with their start time being approximately 8:15am. Whereas Victorian children start later at approximately 8:45am.

The data tells us that many working families in Victoria are still working from home rather than commuting into the office, which is likely to be a trend which started because of COVID-19 lockdowns but still continues.

The most common pick-up times was 5:15pm across the country. Queensland children are signed out earlier than other children across the country. The later pick-up times in other locations is likely to be due to daylight savings being observed in those states and territories.

G8 Education’s tips to help families support children ahead of a successful room transition:

• Meet and connect with your child’s new educators so you and your child feel comfortable
• Communicate with your child positively about the new room and educators to prepare them beforehand
• If your child is upset or nervous, listen to them and acknowledge their feelings by responding with strategies that may support a positive transition. Communicate with the centre team if you believe your child may need any additional support.

“G8 Education looks forward to welcoming new families commencing early learning and care in 2025 together with returning families continuing their early learning journey with us,” Ms. Evans said.

*The above deidentified data was collected from G8 Education’s network of brands including Community Kids, Great Beginnings, World of Learning, Bambino’s, Kindy Patch Kids, Early Learning Services, The Learning Sanctuary, First Grammar, Creative Garden Early Learning, Casa Bambini, Headstart Early Learning Centres, Buggles, Greenwood, Jellybeans, Kinder Haven, Kool Kids, Nurture One, Pelican Childcare, Penguin Childcare, Pelicans Learning for Life and Sandcastles, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.