The Early Learning sector is a resilient industry that is encountered challenges and opportunities from changes to household formation, work patterns, population growth, and on-going regulatory requirements. PPC Urban is pleased to present our 2023 ELC Investment Guide to help Early Learning business community and property people navigate the challenges and respond to the opportunities.
You can download our ELC Industry Guide by clicking HERE, free of charge.
Knowing the past, present and future outlooks of this sector, we aim to help our ELC industry and the business community to evolve and thrive.
For a short summary of this Industry Guide, we present the following three takeaways.
- Over the past decade, high population growth, increased female labour force participation, and Government policy support have been pivotal in driving demand in the childcare sector. With demand for Early Learning Centres rising steadily in recent years, identifying strategic locations is a critical determinant of investment success, especially areas with forecast growth that are accessible. Also, an attractive building that is welcoming and highly functional for children and staff and visitors that meets or exceeds quality and regulatory standards.
- The ELC sector is encountering challenges, from evolving work patterns of parents/ carers that are more flexible and include more remote work, to cultural shifts in the community and new trends. The importance of quality service and learning approaches that focus on children’s long-term development outcomes, which is linked to staff training. The increasing operational costs of running an ELC Centre, including wages and staff retention, and meeting the higher standards of the NFQ regulatory framework, are other challenges that operators must address.
- Opportunities within the ELC sector are suited to adaptable operators who are attuned to changing societal needs. The ability to differentiate via learning models, digital technology, service quality and Centre facilities, plus engagement with local communities including parents/