Fergus Cunningham
Conference Director, FuturePlace
Since 1988, Cyclo Group has set a new standard in commercial construction, completing a diverse range of projects across Australia. With over two generations of experience, we provide fully integrated services backed by a large, highly skilled in-house team, that manages every phase of your project – from initial concept design and permit approvals to construction completion, occupation certificate and final handover.
What distinguishes us is our innovative approach, commitment to sustainability, and deep industry knowledge. Our highly integrated process ensures that you, as our client, are fully informed of all costs and risks typically associated with construction, along with alternative methodologies that may be used.
Partnering with Cyclo Group ensures the seamless delivery of a high-quality project, completed on time and within budget. With over 30 years of continuous service, we have built an extensive portfolio of successfully completed Early Learning Centres across the country, including projects as large as 184-place centres. Our expertise guarantees a smooth, stress-free building experience, tailored to meet your specific needs.
www.gapmaps.com
Hitch Advisory is a full-service, national law firm with an unrivalled reputation for high performance. We are trusted advisors to leading Australian and International businesses, high net worth families, private offices, investors and founders. Our mission is to provide uncomplicated, expert advice.
Hitch Advisory are industry experts in the area of childcare legal compliance, drafting and negotiation of agreements for lease and leases of childcare sites, as well as the sale and acquisition of childcare businesses. Our transaction experience ranges from single centre sales to some of Australia’s largest portfolio disposals. We are one of few true specialists in the childcare space and have seen exceptionally strong M&A activity over recent years as the industry attempts to keep up with growing demand and sector consolidation.
With a collective experience of over 130 years in the early childhood industry our team of experts support centres throughout Australia to address and resolve almost any business problem they are facing. Astute Early Years Specialist solutions don’t come out of a box ready to plug and play. We pride ourselves on identifying your challenges quickly and designing strategies to address them, always keeping top of mind your business’s need for quality service delivery and loyal engaged team members.
The Astute team offers expertise in early childhood practice, pedagogy, operations, financial management, digital marketing, business improvement, HR, recruitment, stakeholder engagement, scale, and quality improvement and compliance. We not only manage but transform early learning services nationwide, leveraging our understanding of the landscape, market, and intricacies of childcare. Above all, we are fervently passionate about delivering the best early years experience to every child.
Ligo finance is a finance broker for commercial and residential loans. Our services include commercial finance, home loans, asset finance, refinancing and SMSF loans. Ligo Finance has specialist experience in structuring complex commercial loans and focuses on the childcare and medical industry. We have supported childcare operators across Australia with their financing needs for the past ten years and continue to grow in this sector.
www.aaronsoutdoor.com.au
Step4 is an Australian, family owned and operated service provider to Early Learning Centres Australia wide.
At Step4, we specialise in bespoke learning environments through inspiration, innovation, and engagement. With a long history in furniture design and customisation, we have the knowledge and experience to deliver your vision through our Explore – Design – Deliver philosophy and process. This philosophy has helped bring to life over a thousand new centres across Australia over the past 20 years.
Explore – Step4 engages collaboratively with you and your team to explore what success looks like with the interior room design and furniture layout of your new centre project.
Design – Creativity and visualisation bring the project to life, turning curiosity into considered and practical design. Our in-house designers provide room layouts and 3D renders to enable you to visualise your centre.
Deliver – Let us take the stress out of managing multiple contractors and suppliers as we deliver, install, and oversee the setup of your learning spaces.
step4.com.au
OWNA is Australia’s Favourite All-In-One Childcare Management System, encompassing all of the functions you need to run your education and care services.
By keeping everything in one place, OWNA helps childcare leaders improve efficiency, and multi-site providers can get transparency across all of their centres. OWNA’s best-in-class software is backed by our amazing support team, many of whom have a background in the sector.
We endeavour not only to provide the best service through our software, but to truly understand your organisation and partner with you on your journey to provide better quality education and care to your communities.
www.owna.com.au
RockBuild Group, an Australian-based provider with offices in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, specialise in design and construction, major and minor renovations, project management, and facilities maintenance services for commercial and residential sectors. With extensive experience, they offer industry-leading solutions for construction projects, refurbishments, and maintenance needs. RockBuild excel in the childcare sector, working with many childcare providers across the country. Despite recent challenges, they maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders. RockBuild have also ventured into development, aiming to acquire sites and assist investors in creating sustainable, low-maintenance solutions for their product. Their commitment ensures high-quality, timely, and budget-friendly project completion.
www.rockbuildgroup.com.au
“Creating Inspiring Early Learning Environments”
At Coverite Projects, we build high-trust relationships and de-risk the investment and construction process for our clients.
We partner with childcare operators, developers, and investors, using our fully integrated Design & Construction model to ensure a seamless and secure project from site acquisition to turn-key construction.
Our approach minimises risks, accelerates timelines, and ensures regulatory compliance, all while fostering engaging early learning environments.
By streamlining communication and coordination, we deliver consistent quality and build high-trust relationships.
Partner with us to experience a truly de-risked and efficient project delivery that brings your vision to life.
coverite.com.au/sector-expertise/early-learning-childcare
“Designed to ignite curiosity and connection, we partner with our clients to create sensory rich and inclusive outdoor landscapes. Our award-winning playscapes incorporate the Ecology of Play framework that not only inspire children to play, but also inspire educational practices. Led by TEDx speaker, innovator and educator Lukas Ritson, Wearthy’s work has reached hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. For over 10 years we have been proud advocates for play. Our goal is to see children thrive alongside their educators and caretakers, which is why every environment is handed over with enriching workshops and training.”
Learn more: wearthy.co
Point Architects is a leading Melbourne-based practice specialising in creating innovative, nurturing designs for childcare and early learning centres. With over 20 years of experience, we deliver practical, engaging, and visually appealing environments tailored to children’s developmental needs. Our expertise also extends to residential, commercial, and industrial projects, ensuring comprehensive architectural solutions. Our designs prioritise safety, sustainability, and community engagement. By collaborating closely with educators and clients, we support positive learning experiences in every project we undertake
Learn more: pointarchitects.com.au
At Z Staffing, we revolutionise casual staffing for childcare centres with our cutting-edge technology. Our proprietary app not only streamlines the recruitment and placement of qualified childcare professionals but also offers cost-efficient solutions, ensuring that your centre is equipped with top-tier educators even at short notice. We are committed to rigorous compliance standards, extensive educator onboarding, and continuous quality assurance, setting us apart in the market. Our vision is a world without staff shortages, enabling your centre to operate efficiently and effectively, without compromising on quality or affordability. Z Staffing – Casual staffing done better.
Learn more: zstaffing.com.au
Urban Landscape Projects has been Designing and Constructing Educational Landscapes since 1990.
We are a multi award-winning, professional practice that can take your project from concept to completion, on time and on budget!
platform for discovery, socialising and challenge to nurture early learning and development while meeting your operational requirements, programming needs, site constraints and budget.
www.ulp.com.au
Verkada is a pioneer in cloud-based physical security solutions by enabling over 24,000 organizations in over 80 countries to protect their people and property in a way that respects individuals’ privacy. Designed with simplicity in mind, Verkada offers six product lines — video security cameras, door-based access control, environmental sensors, alarms, workplace, and intercoms — that provide unparalleled visibility through a single cloud-based software platform.
Learn more: verkada.com
Brooks Australia has been a leader in fire safety for over 50 years. With extensive experience and knowledge in developing and supplying reliable, high-quality products, ranging from smoke alarms to complex fire panels, we have become a trusted name in the industry. Our innovative solutions cater to residential and commercial applications, and we have proven experience working across all building classifications and standards. We specialise in providing tailored designs, which makes us the perfect choice for Child Care Centres, whose needs in fire protection can vary greatly. Brooks Australia is committed to fire safety and providing effective solutions that help protect properties and people.
Learn more: brooks.com.au
Douglas Partners provides integrated practical solutions for projects interacting with the Earth’s surface with expertise spanning environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, groundwater, rock mechanics, geophysics, and materials testing.
Leveraging 60 years of experience from over 130,000 projects, our skilled team offers innovative advice and tailored solutions across diverse industries, including approvals for childcare centres.
We offer comprehensive contaminated land management solutions, utilising advanced technologies and methodologies to assess, remediate, and manage environmental challenges effectively. Our team of environmental engineers, scientists, hydrogeologists, and auditors guide clients through complex regulatory landscapes ensuring compliance throughout the project lifecycle, effectively managing environmental risks and safeguarding both public health and ecosystems.
Visit our website today to learn more about our services and completed projects: www.douglaspartners.com.au/expertise/environmental/
Aarons Group (AG) is your comprehensive turnkey service provider for the childcare sector. Our expertise spans construction, renovations, playscapes and facilities maintenance, addressing the distinct operational requirements for every childcare facility. From conceptualisation to realisation, AG and its collaborators meticulously plan and execute the construction of new childcare centres, prioritising safety, functionality and creativity at every stage. We also excel in renovating and upgrading existing facilities. With our in-house AILA accredited Landscape Architect who’s specialty is Play, we are experts in playscape design and construction, producing outdoor play spaces that will enrich children’s learning and recreational environment.
With a dedicated Facilities Maintenance team overseeing both scheduled and reactive maintenance, we ensure the smooth and secure operation of childcare centres, promoting a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for both children and caregivers.
Learn more: aaronsplayscapes.au
Finexia Financial group is a diversified financial services business with an acute focus on private credit and asset/funds management. Via our Childcare Income Fund, we provide fully secured loans to established, experienced Childcare operators to construct, and/or open and trade-up childcare centres. For Childcare businesses, it offers a single loan facility to fund the soft and hard costs of the business including fit-out, marketing, staff costs and loan interest for the full trade-up period. For Childcare centre construction, we also offer a typical construction finance facility.
Learn more: finexia.com.au
Our Australian Story
Starex have been designing and crafting premium quality furniture for the ECE market in New Zealand for the past 40 years. Our first adventure working with Australian clients came about in 2017, when we had the pleasure of working with a Melbourne based service on a full Centre fitout. From there, we have experienced consistent demand for our furniture from Centres all around Australia (including Perth, Queensland, NSW, ACT, Northern Territory & Tasmania) and have loved working with each and every one of them! Our Australian clients choose Starex because of our quality and for that something different.
Being based in New Zealand has meant we’ve only been able to offer container deliveries full of Starex furniture up to now for Australian clients, however, with the demand for our product, we knew we had to look at other options to ensure you, our valued Australian centres can easily purchase and have pieces of Starex furniture delivered for your Centre!
We now have distribution bases in Australia and we’re shipping furniture orders both big and small from there! It is a great privilege to have shipped containers full of furniture from right next door in New Zealand, to now being a part of your community and we are so excited for you to experience the quality of our furniture in your centre. Once you choose Starex, you won’t go back to the status quo! We LOVE what we do and look forward to working with you!
Learn more: starex.com.au