Provider

Evolve announces new Australian acquisitions, confirms dividend resumption for Q421

Jason Roberts

Mar 09, 2021

Save

Evolve Education Group has confirmed that it has contracted to acquire ten early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres and also that the Board has confirmed a resumption of the payment of dividends in Q4 2021.

The ten centres, all located in Australia, will add $8.2 million of earnings before interest and tax (EBITDA) to the Group at a cost of $27.13 million up front with a further $5.0 million deferred component bringing the net multiple paid for the centres to 3.9 times EBITDA.

This latest round of purchases are the first since October 2019 when the Group announced the acquisition of four ECEC centres in Australia for a total of $11.8 million.

Evolve Education Group Managing Director, Chris Scott commented, “This latest acquisition takes the total number of centres operated by EVO to 116 in New Zealand and twenty in Australia. Minimal additional Support Office costs will be incurred in managing these extra ten centres.”

The acquisitions will be funded by cash reserves which were boosted in December 2020 post the issue of a $35 million bond which was partly used to pay down debt with the balance, alongside cash generated by the business, earmarked for this latest round of purchases.

Evolve also confirmed that it will be resuming the payments of dividends in the final quarter of 2021, eighteen months after its last declared dividend, which was suspended due to the COVD-19 pandemic.

Don’t miss a thing

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

A new communication toolkit has been released to support early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers, regulators and sector stakeholders to prepare for the introduction of mandatory national child safety training.

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

One of Melbourne CBD’s longest-running early childhood education and care services has marked its 30-year milestone by launching a new scholarship initiative aimed at improving access for families not eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Approved providers, service operators and marketing teams are being reminded of their obligations under the Education and Care Services National Law when advertising or promoting early childhood education and care (ECEC) services.

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Persistent inflation, cautious monetary policy and a ‘higher for longer’ interest rate environment could shape financial realities for ECEC providers, educators, families and landlords well into 2026.

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Don’t miss a thing

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Understanding Children

Compliance

Provider

General News

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Fiona Alston

Feb 06, 2026

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Provider

Affordability & Accessibility

Quality

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Fiona Alston

Feb 06, 2026

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Provider

Affordability & Accessibility

Compliance

Legislation

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Fiona Alston

Feb 05, 2026

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Provider

Affordability & Accessibility

Workforce

Economics

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Mayfield launches ‘Mayfield 360’ to integrate allied health into early learning network

Jill Cameron recognised with Medal of the Order of Australia

Equity is a “Fair Go”: Why 100 Hours of Early Learning Matters for Our Children

Mary MacKillop releases 2024–25 Impact Report; transforming lives at home and abroad

Fiona Alston

Feb 03, 2026

Evolve announces new Australian acquisitions, confirms dividend resumption for Q421

Don’t miss a thing

Related topics

Related Articles

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Related Articles

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Don’t miss a thing

Related Articles

Rachael Ward appointed Children’s Guardian for NSW

Register now for mandatory national child safety training: new communication toolkit released

Kids on Collins celebrates 30 years with new scholarship supporting non-subsidy families

Advertising in ECEC: Reminder on inducements and misleading claims

Higher interest rates: what the RBA’s 2026 outlook could mean for the ECEC sector

Mayfield launches ‘Mayfield 360’ to integrate allied health into early learning network

Jill Cameron recognised with Medal of the Order of Australia

Equity is a “Fair Go”: Why 100 Hours of Early Learning Matters for Our Children

Mary MacKillop releases 2024–25 Impact Report; transforming lives at home and abroad

Keep Exploring