About three new childcare centres in Mt Gravatt are currently under construction whilst a fourth has been granted development approval but will not be built until 2024.
The number of upcoming childcare centres has raised concerns with Jae Fraser, the vice president of the non-profit Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland, who said that the oversupply may bring about problems and create an unsustainable business.
Mr Fraser said that the issue of oversupply has slowly reared its ugly head as currently operating childcare centres cannot even fill up their occupancy. Across the state, most facilities are just over 70 per cent in capacity.
He also said that these centres cannot keep up with the workforce as there are not enough educators and minders to see through the care and development of the children. Thus, these childcare centres could end up delivering sub-par services.
Under Construction: Childcare Centres in Mt Gravatt
Active Kids Learning Centre
54 Morland St
89 to 91 Newnham Rd
A005205206 – Approved in October 2020
From a 56-place centre, Active Kids Learning Centre will double its size and have a state-of-art early education facility. The site is due for completion in 2023.
Perfect Beginnings Child Care
53 Klumpp Rd
A005967964 – Approved in April 2022
Perfect Beginnings Child Care is also planning a 2023 opening. Pre-pandemic, the centre recognised the need to expand its site after reaching 98 per cent capacity in 2019.
Former Scurrs Hardware Redevelopment
1437 Logad Rd
18 Gowrie St
50, 52 and 54 Tenby St
A005722664 – Approved in June 2022
The childcare centre will be located on the first level of this mixed-use facility that also includes a convenience store and health care services/medical centre on the ground floor, and an indoor sports and recreation site with a gym and wellness centre on the second floor.
Creek Rd Child Centre
269 Creek Rd
31 Tantallon St
A005959235 – Approved in April 2022 but DA extended until March 2024
This property is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church.
Government Measures Needed
The ACA is hoping that local and state governments establish a measurement for the supply and demand for childcare centres before the development applications are approved in a certain area. The ACA said approvals must be prioritised in communities with a pressing need for facilities.
Property expert Darren Collins of CBRE said that childcare centres in strategic locations are bringing in billions to the economy. Investors also study the location, including its saturation point, before submitting a plan to build a centre.
Collins said that the population of the suburb and the percentage of double-income parents often factor into the decision as these are indicators of high growth areas, thus the high demand for childcare centres.