Existing Childcare Centre Support
Acquiring an existing ECEC service involves legal, financial, and regulatory complexity that goes well beyond a standard business purchase. ELC Group guides buyers through every stage - from due diligence to settlement day.
Buying a Childcare Centre? Don't Navigate It Alone.
Buying an existing childcare centre can be an excellent business decision - but it requires careful navigation. Unlike starting from scratch, you are primarily transferring ownership and regulatory approvals rather than obtaining new ones. That sounds simpler. In practice, it rarely is.
Regulatory approval from the relevant authority is non-negotiable. You cannot legally operate the service until that approval is in place - and the timeline can significantly impact your settlement. ELC Group ensures you understand exactly what you're buying, what approvals you need, and how to protect yourself throughout the process.
The Process - Stage by Stage:
-
Before committing to anything, we help you conduct a thorough initial review of the service — including a confidential information review covering occupancy, staffing, compliance history, and financial performance.
-
This is where most buyers need the most support. We provide guidance across financial due diligence (reviewing P&L, CCS income, fee structures, and occupancy trends), regulatory due diligence (compliance history, NQS rating, outstanding notices), and lease and property review.
-
We provide advice and support through the offer and contract phase — ensuring you understand what you're agreeing to and that appropriate conditions are in place to protect your interests.
-
This is the critical step — and the one that catches many buyers off guard. You cannot operate the service without approval from the Regulatory Authority. If you already hold Provider Approval, you apply for a Transfer of Service Approval. If you don't, you must first apply for Provider Approval (which can take 60–90+ days) before the transfer can proceed. We guide you through the correct pathway and help you manage the timeline impact on settlement.
-
Acquiring the service is one thing — transitioning it effectively is another. We support buyers through the staff transition process, operational handover, and the cultural and leadership changes that come with a change of ownership.
-
We work alongside your finance and legal advisors to ensure all pieces are in place for a smooth settlement — including finance approval, CCS arrangements, and all regulatory notifications required at settlement.
Why ELC Group?
We've been through the acquisition process many times - as advisors, and as operators. We know where the risks are, we know what questions to ask, and we know how to protect buyers from the costly mistakes that come from moving too fast or without the right expertise.
Considering an acquisition? Get in touch before you sign anything - the right advice early makes all the difference.