The company said the decision reflects the pressure facing providers nationwide, with falling birthrates, changing family demand and tougher operating conditions reshaping the market.<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n G8 operates nearly 400 centres across five states.<\/p>\n Chief executive Pejman Okhovat said the organisation had a responsibility to adapt early and ensure children\u2019s safety and wellbeing remained the priority.<\/p>\n \u201cAt G8 Education, we continuously review how we operate to ensure we can continue delivering safe, high\u2011quality early education and care for children and families, both now and into the future,\u201d he said in a company statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a responsibility to operate sustainably and responsibly, in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes for families and supports children to grow, thrive and learn in safe and supportive environments.\u201d<\/p>\n Impacted G8 Education centres<\/p>\n NSW – seven centres<\/p>\n Nurture One Tamworth Children\u2019s CentreGreenwood PenrithAlbert Street Children\u2019s CentreBambinos Kindergarten BanksiaGreenwood ConcordLittle Angels World of LearningVaucluse Kinder Haven<\/p>\n Queensland – five centres<\/p>\n Lilliput World of LearningCommunity Kids Goodna Early Education CentreGlenvale World of LearningKool Kids Early Learning Centre \u2013 AshmoreKool Kids Early Learning Centre \u2013 Clear Island Waters<\/p>\n South Australia – four centres<\/p>\n Community Kids Ashford Early Education CentreFelixstow World of LearningMurray Bridge World of LearningZebra Early Learning Centre<\/p>\n Victoria – 12 centres<\/p>\n Community Kids Bayswater Early Education CentrePenguin Childcare EppingCasa Bambini BlackburnCommunity Kids HorshamCreative Garden Early Learning Point CookGreat Beginnings Mt ClearGreenwood ScoresbyKindy Patch ChelseaPenguin Childcare ParkvillePoint Cook World of LearningSpringvale 2 World of LearningThe Learning Sanctuary Cranbourne West<\/p>\n Western Australia – 12 centres<\/p>\n Buggles Child Care \u2013 BaldivisJellybeans Child Care BelmontJellybeans Child Care AttadaleBuggles Child Care \u2013 BeckenhamBuggles Child Care \u2013 SuccessGreat Beginnings BayswaterGreat Beginnings BeckenhamGreat Beginnings BunburyGreat Beginnings Secret HarbourGreat Beginnings YangebupJellybeans Child Care WembleyThe Learning Sanctuary Kings Square<\/p>\n The company said it is working closely with state, territory and federal regulators as the suspension process rolls out. Families will be supported to move to nearby G8 centres, and staff will be redeployed where possible.<\/p>\n Longer\u2011term decisions \u2014 including lease surrenders, divestments or other options \u2014 will follow.<\/p>\n Union response<\/p>\n The United Workers Union said G8\u2019s decision means uncertainty for staff and fewer option for parents.<\/p>\n The union has called on the federal government to respond, particularly in regional areas where early education \u201cis already stretched\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are dedicated, hardworking people who have shown up every day to care for children and families,\u201d UWU early childhood education director Carolyn Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be working closely with our members every step of the way as this unfolds.\u201d<\/p>\n Market fallout and safety concerns<\/p>\n The announcement comes as G8 continues to navigate a steep decline in market confidence. The company\u2019s share price has plunged from more than $1.20 to 20 cents over the past year, wiping out hundreds of millions in value.<\/p>\n Its shares fell again on Wednesday morning, leaving the company with a market capitalisation of roughly $150 million.<\/p>\n Investor sentiment has been shaken in part by the criminal charges laid against former G8 employee Joshua Brown, who worked at the provider\u2019s Point Cook centre in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Brown was charged in July last year with more than 70 child sexual abuse offences<\/a>, plus a dozen unrelated charges of bestiality. Further alleged victims brought that total to 156 in December.<\/p>\n The alleged victims were aged between five months and two years old, and the charges included sexual penetration of a child under 12, sexual assault of a child under 16, producing child abuse material and possessing child abuse material<\/p>\n The matter remains before the courts.<\/p>\n G8 has previously acknowledged that \u201cserious incidents\u201d across the sector have contributed to heightened regulatory scrutiny and a decline in family confidence.<\/p>\n Sector under strain<\/p>\n The early childhood education and care sector is undergoing what G8 describes as \u201cunprecedented change\u201d, driven by demographic shifts and macro\u2011economic pressures.<\/p>\n The company attributes lower birthrates and evolving family needs have reduced demand in some areas, while operating costs continue to rise.<\/p>\n G8 reported an 18.4 per cent fall in operating profit earlier this year, dropping from $72.4 million in 2024 to $59 million in 2025. Revenue slid 7.2 per cent to $948.2 million.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Man crushed in shocking workplace incident involving crates<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bd9d89c06755bcaf7a6319ffee30c5e1d3330cab-16x9-x0y0w1280h720.jpg\")
Joshua Brown a G8 employee has been charged with dozens of child sex crimes Credit: Facebook<\/p>\n