Occupancy/Vacancies 2017

A large group of centres covering six states, based on centres operating 15 sessions per week & 5 days per week.

NSW full sessions 6.90% (one centre from a group of 28 contributed to 37.93% of full sessions)
NSW full days 2.14% (one centre from a group of 28 contributed to 100% of full days)

QLD full sessions 3.33%.
QLD full days 0%.

SA full sessions 7.17%.
SA full days 2.50%.

VIC full sessions 11.93% (three centres from a group of 19 contributed to 70.58% of full sessions)
VIC full days 0%.

WA full sessions 0%.
WA full days 0%.

Many operators, corporate, private, not for profit, community based and FDC are experiencing challenges in lifting occupancy levels. We know, last year G8 advertised and marketed the toy giveaway, iPad giveaway and introduce a friend for free weeks to encourage enrolments. Occupancy and vacancy levels reported indicate that this was unsuccessful. This year, they are offering enrol and get two weeks free, not advertised, but being promoted within centres. They have reduced fees considerably in a few select centres, to "give back to the community" and to "help people to return to work" IMO going to the papers with these stories was misleading, when what really happened IMO was that the fees, in these centres were actually being reduced to bring them into line, with those of their closest competitors. The positive from that though is that G8 are finally becoming aware of their competitors. A recent fee reduction happened in a centre in 'H suburb' where their closest competitor is a not for profit, they brought the fees into line, but need to look at their competitor a little more closely.

If fees are being reduced, discounts/incentives are being offered and there are no vast improvements, the issue would IMO be on the floor. I have posted previously that G8 need to look at both their centre and area managers by restructuring job descriptions and making them more accountable, not just for controlling spending, but developing staff to meet the needs of the children, the families and the staff in the centres in which they work. A webinar blanket approach, to staff development though cost effective is never successful IMO.

There are some very good G8 centres, who have achieved high ratings with ACECQA and have very few vacancies, but they are in pockets and only in certain areas, which would indicate great area managers running those particular centres, IMO their success is something G8 need to explore and implement throughout the group.

The good news is though, that vacancies will improve further, up until the end of October. Preparation for achieving high occupancy in 2018 should be being considered by all centres now.

IMO & DYOR