Weekly Research Review — 26 September to 2 October 2026

This Week’s Headline

The national service count reached 18,197 and 92% of rated services now meet the National Quality Standard or better. In the same week ACECQA began a national campaign telling families to compare quality ratings on StartingBlocks.gov.au before they choose a centre.

Key Metrics at a Glance

  • 18,197 — approved education and care services nationally as at 1 July 2026 (ACECQA NQF Snapshot Q2 2026)
  • 92% — share of rated services meeting the NQS or higher (15,805 services)
  • 414 — more rated services than a year earlier (Q2 2025)
  • 50.04% — Embark Early Education’s voting power in Mayfield Childcare, which runs 45 long day care centres
  • 1,393,620 — children using approved care in the June quarter 2026, down 2.1% on a year earlier (context: published 23 September)

This was a quieter week for occupancy news. We found no confirmed operator results, property sales or new public updates on Edge Early Learning’s administration published inside the window.

Closures & Suspensions

The NSW Early Learning Commission suspended an early learning centre in Albury for six months over child safety concerns, effective immediately. The Commission cited inadequate supervision, unsafe indoor and outdoor environments, poor staff induction and a lack of awareness of child protection reporting obligations. These followed breaches and compliance actions over the previous two years. The service must stay closed during the suspension, and enrolled families have been offered help to find other care. Commissioner Daryl Currie noted the impact of closures on families in regional areas like Albury.

In the Northern Territory, Humpty Doo Community & Child Care Centre and a former nominated supervisor pleaded guilty on 1 October to inadequate supervision and failing to protect children from harm. The charges relate to the 2023 death of a 22-month-old child. Sentencing is still to come.

Enrolment & Occupancy Data

ACECQA’s NQF Snapshot for Q2 2026 counted 18,197 approved services at 1 July, of which 17,131 hold a quality rating. Rated services grew by 88 over the quarter and by 414 over the year. The share meeting the NQS or higher held at 92%. Fewer services were rated Working Towards (down from 1,491 to 1,317), but fewer were also rated Exceeding (down from 3,414 to 3,193). Only 16% of long day care services are rated Exceeding.

For context, Department of Education Child Care Subsidy data published on 23 September showed 1,393,620 children in approved care in the June quarter. That is down 30,280 (2.1%) on a year earlier, while the number of centre-based day care services rose by 279 (2.9%) to 9,963. More supply is chasing fewer children.

Policy & Regulatory Updates

ACECQA launched a national campaign across digital, social, video and community channels. It directs families to StartingBlocks.gov.au, where they can compare services’ quality ratings and fees and build shortlists. The campaign’s message is that “choosing a service involves more than finding an available place”. ACECQA has also released a toolkit that providers can share with families who enquire.

The Department of Education released four new checklists for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) child wellbeing program. The department said applications are commonly delayed because evidence doesn’t meet minimum requirements. Under the program, providers can issue certificates that give families up to six weeks of immediate ACCS access.

Workforce & Cost Pressures

South Australia is promoting early childhood careers as three-year-old preschool rolls out. The package totals $10.9 million and includes $9.7 million for the Flying Start Pathways program, delivered with Gowrie SA. QualifySA support is worth up to $25,000 for a birth-to-five bachelor’s degree, with a $1,000 employer support payment. The state says a skilled workforce will be needed across long day care and preschool, particularly in regional communities.

Investment & Property Market

Embark Early Education (ASX: EVO) bought 250,000 more Mayfield Childcare shares, lifting its voting power from 49.80% to 50.04%. That gives it majority control of a network of 45 long day care centres across Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. Separately, UBS Group ceased to be a substantial shareholder in G8 Education on 23 September. That means its disclosed interest fell below the 5% reporting threshold, which doesn’t necessarily mean it holds no G8 shares.

What This Means for Independent Centre Operators

Quality ratings are becoming a bigger part of how families choose. A national government campaign now tells parents to compare ratings on StartingBlocks before they enrol, so make sure your Starting Blocks listing, website and Google Business Profile all show your current rating and accurate fees. If you are rated Meeting or Exceeding, say so plainly in your enquiry responses, tour invitations and Meta and local search ads. Fewer children are enrolling while centre numbers keep rising, so each enquiry matters more. Reply within the hour, and offer a tour time in your first reply.

The regulators’ focus on supervision and child safety is also shaping how parents judge centres. On tours, explain how your team handles supervision during transitions, staff induction and safety processes, and give families written material to take away. In regional markets where a nearby service has been suspended, displaced families need clear information about vacancies quickly. Keep your vacancy details up to date on Google and your website, and be ready to help families who are eligible for ACCS with the paperwork.

Sources This Week

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