Storypark and Xap merge in a significant move for Australia's early childhood education sector

Two of Australia's most trusted names in early childhood education technology have merged, with Storypark and Xap announcing they are joining forces to create one of the sector's most purposefully built and highest quality offerings. 
 

The merger brings together Storypark's leading family engagement and learning documentation with Xap's enterprise childcare management capabilities, creating a combined offering that strengthens the capability available to the early childhood education sector.

For Storypark CEO Jamie MacDonald, the move represents a significant milestone in the organisation's ambition to build the platform early learning organisations can depend on for every aspect of running their services, now and in the future. "The early childhood education sector deserves world-class technology, tools that genuinely support educators, families, early learning organisations and ultimately the children they serve. Bringing Storypark and Xap together means we can invest in building that."

A partnership years in the making

Storypark and Xap have worked alongside each other for several years, and many of Australia's largest early childhood education organisations, including Goodstart Early Learning and Busy Bees, already use both platforms together. Operating under common ownership is the natural evolution of a relationship that has already demonstrated its value.

Storypark's move into the childcare management space is not new. Through its acquisition and integration of Kinder M8, Storypark has been serving independent and smaller multi-site services for some time. The merger with Xap significantly extends the ability to serve a broader range of organisations  with enterprise-grade childcare management software.

As Xap CEO Sean Murphy describes it, the timing feels right. "Xap has spent years building capability that some of Australia's leading childcare organisations depend on. Joining forces with Storypark, an organisation we've respected and worked alongside for years, means we can do even more for our customers and for the sector. This is the right next step for both of us."

What the merger means for the sector

The combined offering strengthens the offerings available to early childhood education organisations, from family engagement and learning documentation through to enterprise childcare management, now available from one trusted partner. 

Both platforms have been built with depth and a focus on outcomes that matter to early childhood education organisations. This includes whole-of-organisation views and rich reporting capabilities that provide actionable insights, and family engagement and learning documentation tools that drive positive outcomes for children by engaging the community around them. Together, they support services to run compliant, efficient centres that families trust and choose.

Continuity for customers

Storypark and Xap are committed to continuity for their customers, who continue on their current platforms with the same quality service they've always relied on. The merger means more investment and innovation in the tools they depend on, guided by the values and focus that made customers choose Storypark and Xap in the first place.

Over time, the merger opens up opportunities for a more connected experience and benefits for all customers.

A long-term commitment to Australian early childhood education

For both organisations, this merger is a signal of long-term commitment to the Australian early childhood education sector and to the children, educators, families, and organisations it serves. Storypark and Xap see themselves as partners to the sector, not just providers, invested in the success of the organisations they serve, leading with innovation that anticipates what the sector needs next, responsive when it matters, and building the kind of trust that comes from genuinely knowing the people on the other side.

"We believe the early childhood education sector deserves the very best, the best tools, the best support, and a technology partner that is genuinely invested in the outcomes that matter. The early years are critical for lifelong learning and wellbeing, what happens in those first years shapes everything that follows. Unlike providers who span many industries, early childhood education is all we do. That singular focus means every decision we make, everything we build, is in service of the children, families, educators, and organisations at the heart of this sector. That is what we are building together with Xap."

About Storypark

Storypark is a purpose-led early childhood education platform with 15 years in the sector, striving to help every child fulfil their unique potential by connecting and empowering the community around them. Trusted by over 6,700 services across Australia and more than 11,850 globally, Storypark has grown from the sector's leading family engagement and learning documentation platform into a comprehensive childcare management platform, supporting early childhood education organisations to deliver high-quality outcomes for those they serve.

About Xap

Founded in 2016 and celebrating 10 years of supporting the sector, Xap is one of Australia's leading childcare management platforms, trusted by over 2,500 early learning services including some of the sector's largest organisations. Xap sees itself as more than a technology company, it sees itself as a service organisation deeply committed to helping early learning providers navigate a challenging and changing environment. Xap provides enterprise-grade childcare management tools that support early childhood education organisations in running effectively and achieving the best outcomes for the children and families they serve.