G8 Education has confirmed its decision to suspend 40 services across Australia as part of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider’s ongoing focus on long term sustainability and the delivery of high-quality outcomes for children and families.
G8 Education Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Pejman Okhovat said the decision reflects the responsibility of one of Australia’s largest ECEC providers to adapt to a changing operating environment, with the safety, rights and best interests of children as the paramount consideration.
The ECEC sector is experiencing unprecedented change and uncertainty, driven by a combination of socio and macro-economic factors, including evolving family demand and lower birth rates and changing operating conditions.
“At G8 Education, we continuously review how we operate to ensure we can continue delivering safe, high-quality early education and care for children and families, both now and into the future,” Mr Okhovat said.
“We have a responsibility to operate sustainably and responsibly, in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes for families and supports children to grow, thrive and learn in safe and supportive environments.”
Mr Okhovat said that G8 Education is continuing to work closely with regulators in each State and Territory, and Federally, throughout the process.
“Our immediate focus remains on supporting families to transition to one of its nearby centres and redeploying team members, where possible.”
G8 Education will then consider longer term options for those centres including lease surrender, divestment or other alternative.