NSW records second largest increase in LDC centres since 2012

The number of long day care (LDC) centres in New South Wales grew significantly in November, with 19 new licences noted and only one closure, according to The Sector’s monthly review of the ACECQA National Register.

The jump in new licences is the second largest recorded since January 2012, behind a peak of 25 in January this year. Since April 2018, the number of LDC centres in NSW has increased by 58 (2 per cent). The continued increase in centres suggests an increasing demand for childcare in the state over the past year.

Despite the large increase in NSW, the remaining states have demonstrated a slight slowing in growth from recent months, with only Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia netting an increase in LDC centres.

Family day care (FDC) continues to decline, with either no change to the number of centres or a decline observed across all states. The most marked decrease was in Victoria with a net 14 centres closing in November. This is consistent with previous months, where Victoria often has had large net decreases in FDC centres. The continued decrease in FDC centres is in line with the tightening of regulation around FDC, and the Australian Government’s targeted closure of FDC centres to meet budgeted savings of $1 billion.

As seen in previous months, the number of kindergartens remains relatively steady, with a net change of just three centres closing across Australia in November.

November has seen a small increase in the number of outside school hours care (OSHC), with net six new centres across Australia. Despite previous months demonstrating decreases in OSHC, all states in November either held steady or had a small increase in the number of centres.