Why childcare should be seen as an investment, not an expense.

Investors snap up childcare investments - Burgess Rawson from CBRE A major wave of childcare property sales has swept across NSW and Queensland with a combined total of almost $30 million sold by Michael Vanstone, Director at Burgess Rawson from CBRE. The headline transactions include a premium, purpose-built childcare centre at 2 Fairmile Close, Charmhaven, on the NSW Central Coast, which sold for $8.1 million on a sharp 5.47% yield following a successful Expressions of Interest campaign while Little Zak’s in Charlestown sold for $5.65 million reflecting a return of 4.62 per cent. Michael Vanstone said the result was indicative of the market’s confidence in the long-term performance of early education assets. “With rising demand, strong lease structures, and consistent government backing, early childhood education assets remain a highly sought-after investment class across Australia.” He added that the new childcare regulations being forced on the childcare operators is a positive for the sector as it will weed out rogue operators and improve childcare standards and supervision across the board. Read more on COMMO > https://lnkd.in/gcyVKwFN Ingrid Filmer Andrew Havig Natalie Couper Zomart He Yosh Mendis Adam Thomas Josh Scapolan Jamie Perlinger #burgessrawsonfromcbre #childcare #healthcare #earlylearning #earlychildhoodlearning #childcarecentre #medicalrealestate #healthcarerealestate

Six admission design challenges for expanding free childcare in New York City - and what to do about it! I have published a new blog post about six key challenges in designing effective childcare admission systems. These challenges deserve more attention because expanding childcare is radically different from simply running a school admission system for children starting on a common September date. The issues I highlight in childcare admissions actually permeate many care systems—childcare, healthcare, eldercare, housing care, and care for disadvantaged populations. They all share two fundamental challenges: 1️⃣ Providing care to those in need is extremely expensive. 2️⃣ Deciding who gets care and when is difficult and deeply personal. Tomorrow, I’m excited to give a lunchtime talk at Copenhagen Business School to talk more about how dynamic admission systems matter for the care economy matter now more than ever. Thanks to Fane Groes for organizing it. I am also grateful to conversations and collaborations on this topic with the Danish and International research community, including world renowned experts like Christopher Neilson. Hope to learn more talking to people at CBS. #ZohranMamdani #FreeChildCare #Admissions #Schoolchoice #ECEC https://lnkd.in/dnsTwQdz

The NYC Childcare Navigator: A Game-Changer for Families, Providers, and Policymakers In a city as vast and complex as New York, navigating the childcare system has long felt like a full-time job. For too many families, the search for affordable, high-quality care has been fraught with dead ends, outdated information, and overwhelming paperwork. But now, a new digital tool is changing the game. The NYC Childcare Navigator, developed by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), is more than a website; it is a lifeline for working families, a visibility engine for providers, and a powerful data tool for policymakers. This platform will transform access to early childhood educators in the nation’s largest city and provide insights into workforce availability, community needs, childcare deserts, and public policy in childcare. It also offers a roadmap for how state leaders, local directors, and educators can harness this momentum to build a more equitable and accessible childcare system. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gfbX2-rS

Whether you have a child, know a child, or even were a child, you’re likely aware of childcare challenges in New Hampshire and nationwide. It’s unaffordable for many families, and there aren’t enough providers, especially in rural areas. Jess Carson, a research associate professor at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy, leads the New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium, which is tackling issues to improve outcomes for children and families. She answers some burning childcare questions: Why is childcare so expensive? “It's hard work to care for kiddos and to keep them safe.” With just three to four kids per adult, plus business expenses like classroom supplies and bookkeeping and even plowing the parking lot, the costs mount. Are regulations driving up costs? No. “There are certainly administrative burdens to operating this kind of business, but we don't have much evidence that removing regulations improves childcare supply.” Is this a New Hampshire problem? “There are some distinctly New Hampshire elements. We don't have state-funded preschool; in most states, that could help to take the supply pressure off community-based organizations.” Is there hope? Yes. “People are talking about childcare in spaces that maybe wouldn’t have happened years ago. I think we all share a belief that the early childhood system in New Hampshire has so much potential to be transformed in ways that support of all families and continue to make New Hampshire a really great place to live and to work.” Read the full interview: https://bit.ly/46AKyTy UNH Carsey School of Public Policy

The Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to celebrate some significant wins in our ongoing advocacy for accessible, quality early childhood education and care in our region! Our first success came with Gateway To Training (GTT), which offered free tutoring from an experienced Early Childhood Educator, and established a dedicated ECEC study group delivering local training support. More recently, we welcomed the Goondiwindi Regional Council’s approval of Nambour Christian College Childcare Centre’s (NCC) application to expand its not-for-profit childcare facility in Goondiwindi, a significant step forward for local families. None of this would have been possible without the incredible collaboration of our community. Thank you to our Chamber members, Project Leader Angela Cochrane (Growing Workforce Participation Fund), Jodi Toohey and team (Gateway To Training), all our Childcare Providers, Workforce Australia - Local Jobs - Darling Downs, RDA DDSW, key State Government Departments, TAFE Queensland, the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five initiative, Essential Media, our local businesses, and every community member who’s stepped up. A special shout-out to Trudi Bartlett from Trice Consulting, whose expert guidance was instrumental in securing our grant application for Growing Workforce Participation back in May 2023. That crucial early support helped launch a project with a powerful purpose: empowering parents to return to work, enabling local businesses to access the skilled staff they need to thrive, and ultimately building a stronger, more resilient workforce and economy for the Goondiwindi Region. This is what’s possible when a community comes together with purpose. Want to stay in the loop or share your own story? Follow The Future Care Project—a growing hub for regional change makers tackling childcare challenges head-on: 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3sU3vw4

Yesterday, JAG UK was delighted to support the School Aged Childcare Association (SACA) in Parliament at the launch of their White Paper: Every Child, Every Opportunity – Stabilising the Future of Wraparound Childcare Beyond 2026.   The white paper is calling for urgent reform to secure the future of wraparound childcare in England - a vital service for working families and communities nationwide.   The paper reveals: 82% of parents say affordable wraparound care is essential to their family. 73% say cost affects their decision to use it. 86% have reduced their working hours due to affordability challenges. 38% say childcare policy influences how they vote. Without long-term reform, the 2026 funding cliff threatens to leave families without support and providers without stability.   The School Aged Childcare Sector is calling for Government to: 1️⃣ Undertake a National Review – Assess the impact of a subsidised model for school-aged childcare. 2️⃣ Establish a Cross-Department Taskforce – To create a cohesive national strategy. 3️⃣ Launch a New Wraparound Care Programme by 2026 – Delivering sustainable, affordable childcare that empowers parents and enriches children’s lives.   It was fantastic to meet with members of Parliament to discuss the white paper proposals and work together to deliver change and support families.   You can download a copy of the White Paper here: www.saca-pvi.co.uk   We’re encouraging policymakers, providers, and partners across the sector to read the White Paper, join the conversation, and work together on building a sustainable wraparound childcare system that works for every child, every family, and every community. #SACA #SchoolAgedChildcareAssociation #UKGovernment #UKGov #Childcare #WhitePaper

Childcare isn’t just a family issue, it’s a social determinant of work. When parents can’t access reliable, affordable childcare, it disrupts their ability to work, advance in their careers, and build financial stability. In Northeast Ohio, 78% of parents report that childcare is not accessible, a barrier that costs businesses millions each year and holds families back from long-term economic mobility. A new report by Starting Point NEO shows how employer–community partnerships can change this reality. By expanding access, connecting workers to trusted providers, and supporting child care benefits, businesses play a vital role in removing one of the biggest barriers to work. Investing in childcare strengthens families, employers, and the economy we share.

When “Providers Are the Experts” — Until They’re Not We hear it everywhere: “Providers are the experts.” It’s become the go-to phrase in childcare policy, training, and reform spaces. But too often, when it’s time to actually lead, providers are sidelined. We’re asked to prove, justify, or wait — while people with less direct experience are invited to present, design solutions, or define what quality looks like. It’s frustrating, because the expertise already exists. Providers know what works — not from theory, but from the daily work of keeping programs running in impossible conditions. We’ve navigated the broken systems, the staffing shortages, the financial strain, and still managed to create spaces where children thrive. So when our ideas are questioned or reinterpreted through someone else’s lens, it’s not just disheartening — it’s a loss for the whole field. If we truly believe that providers are the experts, that has to show up in practice: in who’s leading trainings, shaping policy, and designing solutions. Because real transformation in childcare won’t come from the top down — it will come from trusting the people who do this work every single day. If we want lasting change, providers can’t just be consulted — we have to be trusted as co-designers of the system itself.

💡 Childcare funding in England: what parents need to know With the government expanding childcare funding, many more families are now eligible for support, but the details can get confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown 👇 From 9 months – funded hours for working parents or carers. From age 2 – funding for working families and those on certain benefits. From age 3–4 – every child gets 15 hours, with up to 30 hours for eligible working families. Funding starts the term after your child’s birthday, and you’ll need to apply before the term begins, so key deadlines matter (31 March, 31 August, 31 December). Plus, did you know you can stretch your hours across the full year or combine funding with Tax-Free Childcare to make things even more affordable? We’ve gone over all this and more, including what funding actually covers, how to apply, and the extra help available in our latest blog. 👉 Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/eA7EnaKd

This #ChallengePovertyWeek find out how access to flexible, accessible, affordable childcare is empowering parents to work, study, or train in our latest Social Impact Report. In 2024/25 our work put £2.13 million back into the pockets of parents using our services. 100% of parents reported being better off financially. Flexible childcare is creating flourishing families in thriving communities right here, right now. It offers a sustainable model, supports family friendly, flexible working, and improves outcomes for children through quality, holistic, early learning and care. It’s time to scale this model, to ensure more families have access to childcare that works for them. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eqtVetmG Flexible Childcare Services Scotland