<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 40 G8 </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/education" rel="" target="" title="Education"><span>Education</span></a><span> childcare centres are set to shut across Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement today, the provider announced it will make an effort to respond to the challenges they say have impacted the entire sector following a dip in occupancy and trust following 'serious child safety incidents' in childcare centres across Australia involving a number of different operators, including G8.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is not yet known what centres are to close.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is experiencing unprecedented change and uncertainty, driven by a combination of socio and macro-economic factors, including evolving family demand, lower birth rates and changing operating conditions," the statement read.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-king-charles-royals-welcomed-to-the-white-house-on-historic-day/d4d0e2bc-2c0c-4319-88da-cf8a56d20553"><strong><span>Trump thrills in 'royal ties' as he welcomes King to White House on historic day</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Occupancy across the ECEC sector is lower compared to 2024 and 2025 due to families experiencing sustained affordability pressures, falling birth rates, increased long-day care supply and confidence being impacted by serious child safety incidents."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>G8 is one of a number of operators in Victoria rocked by historical allegations of child abuse against accused paedophile </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-joshua-dale-brown-alleged-childcare-paedophile-hit-with-83-new-charges/4136e919-c489-425a-9e05-3d3082f78e3a" rel="" target="" title="Joshua Dale Brown"><span>Joshua Dale Brown</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/g8-education-to-close-40-childcares-centres-due-to-occupancy-slump/9ef1296f-bf34-4ead-9a24-2becbb13000a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner-shooting-suspect-charged-with-attempted-assassination/bab6a22c-29b9-47cc-9781-7af9f8610c46"><strong><span>Alleged shooter charged with trying to assassinate Trump</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>G8 said that operators in the field are also dealing with rising costs due to pressures across the economy, as well as changing compliance regulations and "a more complex operating environment".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"In this environment, G8 Education's focus remains firmly on safety, high-quality education and care, disciplined execution, as well as efficient and effective management of the areas within its control," G8 chief executive Pejman Okhovat said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>On April 24, occupancy at G8 centres saw a 7 per cent slump from the same day last year, dropping to 56.4 per cent, whilst total year-to-date occupancy fell 7.9 per cent to 56.1 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://kidshelpline.com.au/"><strong><span>Kids Helpline</span></strong></a><span> </span><strong><span>1800 55 1800.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS 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