G8 highlights value of successful room transitions with data collection and statistics 

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider G8 Education has demonstrated the value of successful room transitions with a data snapshot from across its extensive network of services. 

Between 1 January and 31 December 2024, data from G8 Education’s network of brands including Community Kids, Great Beginnings, World of Learning, Bambino’s, Kindy Patch Kids, Early Learning Services,  The Learning Sanctuary, First Grammar, Creative Garden Early Learning, Casa Bambini, Headstart Early Learning Centres, Buggles, Greenwood, Jellybeans, Kinder Haven, Kool Kids, Nurture One, Pelican Childcare, Penguin Childcare, Pelicans Learning for Life and Sandcastles was collected, with information about pick up and drop off times, enrolment patterns and other core information being collected. 

One of the central findings was that the majority of room transitions happen in January, prompting the provider to reflect on the value of working with families to ensure this process was a smooth one. 

“Almost half of all children enrolled in G8 Education centres will transition rooms in January each year, with the remainder of children transitioning at different times throughout the year,” G8’s Chief Education and Learning Officer Ali Evans said.

“Room transitions are an important focus at G8 Education – taking the time to transition children respectfully and in collaboration with them and their families, can mean the difference between a happy, secure child and family or a possible negative experience.”

“Continuity of education and care is important and starting the room transition phase in advance will ensure children, families and the team feel secure throughout this process. Some children will require different strategies and support to ensure a successful transition – it is important there is collaboration between the family and the teacher or educator as well as the children having input.”

“Children may spend extended hours in early childhood education and care centres each day so ensuring they feel comfortable, safe, supported and excited about their new rooms will help them thrive throughout the year.”

G8 Education offered the following tips to help children and families to be more successful ahead of room transitions. 

• Meet and connect with the child’s new educators so you and your child feel comfortable 
• Communicate with your child positively about the new room and educators to prepare them beforehand
• If your child is upset or nervous, listen to them and acknowledge their feelings by responding with strategies that may support a positive transition. Communicate with the centre team if you believe your child may need any additional support.

The new data also revealed the average length of time each day that a child was cared for in a G8 centre in 2024 was 7 hours and 58 minutes. Children in the ACT were in G8 centres for the longest amount of time each day which was 8 hours and 14 minutes on average, and children in New South Wales were cared for in G8 centres for the shortest amount of time each day which was 7 hours and 53 minutes on average. 

Throughout 2024, the most common drop off time was 8:30am nationally. 

Children in Queensland and Western Australia are signed in earlier on average with their start time being approximately 8:15am, whereas Victorian children start later at approximately 8:45am. 

The data for Victoria, G8 believes, is indicative of a number of  working families in the state still working from home rather than commuting into the office, which is likely to be a trend which started because of COVID-19 lockdowns. 

Learn more about G8 Education here.