The Sector releases CCMS User Survey 2023 results and latest suite of CCMS Guides

The Sector is pleased to confirm that its bi-annual Child Care Management System (CCMS) User Survey is now complete, that four platforms stood out with particularly strong results and that the 2023 editions of its suite of Child Care Management System Guides have been released. 

 

“We take our responsibilities as an independent, trusted voice in the early childhood education and care sector very seriously,” The Sector Founder Jason Roberts said.

 

“This extends over and above our news reporting into other areas of the sector where historically there has not been a great deal of transparency.”

 

“The Australian CCMS platform community is by far one of the most diverse, advanced and sophisticated in the world and we take great pride in being able to support their very sizable user communities to offer feedback on their experiences in a safe and easy manner.”

 

“We thank everybody who took part and will look forward very much to reconnecting on this important initiative in 2025.”

 

Four platforms stand out in this years CCMS User Survey results

 

A total of 1,106 validated survey responses were received this year, a substantial 40 per cent uplift from the 2021 survey and an indication that the broader early childhood education and care (ECEC) community are becoming increasingly comfortable with expressing their opinion on their CCMS user experience.

 

This year following four platforms stood out as those with the strongest support and feedback from their respective user communities and have been recognised accordingly: 

 

Smart Central – Best platform overall

 

Smart Central, one of the smaller established providers, posted the strongest overall results, in the user experience and recommendation categories for the second consecutive survey. A remarkably high 88 per cent of users would recommend Smart Central to a friend or colleague with “support” the stand out reason why. 

 

OWNA – Best all-in-one platform

 

OWNA, the established and well known all in one provider, recorded another set of strong results this year. Users scored their overall experience at a high 41 out of 50 with 83 per cent prepared to recommend the platform. OWNA users feedback was consistently solid across all of the five key categories. 

 

Xplor Education – Most improved platform

 

Xplor saw the most significant increase in experience and recommendation scores compared to 2021. In particular, the percentage of users prepared to recommend Xplor to a friend or colleague jumped by 11 per cent. Overall Xplor is now ranked fourth across all platforms, having been seventh last time. 

 

Kangarootime – Best newcomer

 

This was Kangarootime’s first year as a full survey participant. Although receiving a relatively small number of responses the feedback was very strong for both experience and recommendations. This suggests early adopters are very satisfied with their decision to migrate across to the sector’s newest platform. 

 

“Although these four platforms were called out as particularly strong this year, it’s important to recognise that standards in this space are very high and other platforms, whilst not achieving one of the category call outs, are still seeing strong user support,” Mr Roberts said. 

 

“Two examples of this are Kidsoft, which saw the second highest CCMS+ score and third highest overall score for the second year running, and QikKids, which saw the second largest improvement in scores compared to last survey.” 

 

Latest suite of Child Care Management System (CCMS) Guides released

 

In the wake of the completion of the 2023 User Survey The Sector has also released updated versions of its three flagship Child Care Management System Guides. 

 

“These reports have become an important independent source of comprehensive up to date  information on the Australian CCMS sector and its platforms,” Mr Roberts said. 

 

“We have always felt that selecting a CCMS provider is a very important decision for an approved provider so getting it right from the start is essential. These reports aim to address this particular objective and are a must read for anybody considering switching platforms or simply interested in the sector as a whole.”

 

The titles for this years Guide series are as follows:

 

• Child Care Management Systems in Australia – A Comprehensive Guide

 

• Child Care Management Systems in Australia – Providers and Platforms

 

• Child Care Management Systems in Australia – User Survey Results 2023

 

The Sector is extending a 50 per cent discount to any CCMS user survey 2023 respondents who are interested in acquiring the Child Care Management Systems in Australia – The CCMS User Survey in recognition of their support in participating in this year’s survey. 

 

The offer is open for 7 days, until 3 August, 2023. Please email [email protected] for your coupon code.