Sell Your Childcare Centre with Confidence.
Selling a childcare centre isn’t just a transaction. It’s a big decision. After years of building your service, you deserve the best possible return, handled with care and professionalism.
At Mollard Advisory, We Specialise Exclusively in Childcare Sales, Giving You a Clear Advantage:
Whether you’re ready to sell now or simply exploring your options, our process is designed to protect your confidentiality and maximise your result.
Request a free appraisal. No obligation. Only pay on successful settlement.
Desktop Appraisal
Get a clear, accurate understanding of your childcare centre’s value without the hassle. Our Desktop Appraisal uses the latest market data and industry benchmarks to provide a detailed report tailored to your service. It’s quick, confidential, and completely obligation free.
Our Process
Business Appraisal
We begin by reviewing your financial performance, occupancy trends, location, local demand, lease terms, and the physical condition of the centre. This provides a strong indication of the likely market value in current conditions.
Business Sale Readiness
If you’re looking to exit in 12–24 months, we can assess areas where the business could be improved to enhance its eventual sale value. You may engage us or an external consultant to implement targeted improvements that boost performance and appeal.
Preparing to List
If you're ready to sell, we will formalise our engagement through an agency agreement, similar to a property listing agreement. From there, we collect all the necessary information to present the business credibly and comprehensively to qualified buyers.
Sales Strategy & Buyer Confidentiality
We’ll choose the best marketing approach, on or off market, with confidentiality as our top priority. Your centre’s identity is shared only with pre-qualified buyers under NDA, and you’ll be notified of every enquiry before any details are released.
Buyer Engagement & Offers
We’ll run a structured campaign and engage in detailed discussions with interested parties. Serious buyers will be invited for inspections. If the campaign is strong, we typically receive offers within four weeks, depending on location and overall appeal.
Contract Stage
Once headline terms are agreed, contracts begin. National groups may use their own templates, but usually your solicitor drafts the agreement. Engage a childcare lawyer for industry clauses. We can recommend experts. Negotiations often take two weeks or more.
Conditional Period
Most contracts include a due diligence period, typically 15–30 days. This allows the buyer to complete financial, regulatory, and lease-related investigations. There may also be a finance clause, depending on the buyer's structure.
Transfer of Service
We recommend initiating the service transfer process with the Department immediately upon signing the contract. This process takes 60 days. In the best-case scenario, settlement can occur on the Friday following the end of this 60-day period.
Notification of Sale
We recommend staff be informed about 10 business days before settlement (minimum 7 days per Department rules). This limits uncertainty and smooths the transition. On notification day, buyer and seller meet staff and start onboarding with new employment contracts.
Post-Sale Transition
While post-settlement handover periods are less common (especially when a director is in place), some contracts may include limited transitional support. Any such terms will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Million
in childcare transactions
in the last 12 months
Providers
approved providers in our active buyer network
EDITDA
highest multiple achieved on a leasehold centre
Sold
licensed places sold in the last 6 months
Higher Offers
compared to prior brokers on challenging listings
Reach
offices in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne
Days
average time on market
Confidential
every buyer signs an NDA before accessing details
Recent Sales
Brisbane, QLD
Brisbane, QLD
This small, owner-operated childcare centre, traditionally run with the owner actively involved as director, attracted five competitive offers and achieved a strong sale price despite the owner’s significant day-to-day involvement.
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South Gold Coast, QLD
South Gold Coast, QLD
This boutique Montessori childcare service in the Gold Coast Hinterland attracted several offers despite the owner’s active director role and ultimately sold to a first-time operator at a strong price, underscoring the strong demand for niche education models in regional areas.
Townsville, QLD
Townsville, QLD
This established childcare centre, in original condition and located in a lower socio-economic area, had been listed with two national brokers for more than two years without success. We secured a qualified buyer and completed the sale within six months, demonstrating our ability to deliver results where others could not.
Northern Rivers, NSW
Northern Rivers, NSW
This character filled childcare centre with recent refurbishments had previously been listed with a high-profile broker without traction. After we relaunched the campaign, it went under offer within five days and achieved a strong sale price with favourable lease terms, enabling the owner to successfully retain the freehold.
Far North Queensland, QLD
Far North Queensland, QLD
This established regional childcare centre, supported by a strong management team and experienced staff, attracted multiple offers during the campaign. Although the sale took longer due to location challenges, we successfully secured a strong outcome for the owner.
Moreton Bay, QLD
Moreton Bay, QLD
As part of a larger childcare group divestment, we were engaged to manage the sale of the more complex centres within the portfolio. This particular service was successfully sold to a highly respected operator on very favourable terms, ensuring a strong strategic outcome for the client.
Ipswich, QLD
Ipswich, QLD
This uniquely positioned childcare service in an industrial precinct had recently been renovated but faced low occupancy and staffing challenges due to its location. Despite these conditions, we achieved a solid result for the owner, demonstrating our ability to deliver strong outcomes even in more difficult market environments.
Northern Rivers, NSW
Northern Rivers, NSW
This character filled childcare centre with recent upgrades had attracted no offers under a major brokerage. After we relaunched the campaign, it went under offer within five days and achieved a strong sale price with secure lease terms, providing the owner with both financial certainty and long-term security.
Greater Western Sydney, NSW
Greater Western Sydney, NSW
This recently acquired childcare service required the vendor to exit within six months. Previously listed with a large Sydney brokerage without success, it was sold within just two weeks of our appointment at a record price for a non-profitable service in the area.
Logan, QLD
Logan, QLD
This older childcare service requiring cosmetic upgrades was operating at breakeven or a slight loss. Despite its unprofitable state and challenging location, we sold it at a strong price to a mid-tier operator, highlighting sustained buyer demand across all service types.
Brisbane, QLD
Brisbane, QLD
This challenging childcare asset beside a railway faced multiple hurdles, including high staff ratios, a short lease term, and an inflexible not-for-profit owner unwilling to extend the lease. Despite being a loss making service with a looming lease expiry, we secured an excellent outcome under the circumstances, demonstrating our ability to manage even the toughest sales.
Cairns, QLD
Cairns, QLD
This established childcare service, operating for more than 30 years with minimal reinvestment, faced low occupancy and a heavily involved owner-director. Despite these challenges, we successfully completed the sale and secured a strong outcome for the vendor.
Kingaroy, QLD
Kingaroy, QLD
This well managed childcare service in central Kingaroy was sold at a premium to an ASX-listed operator. The owner successfully retained the freehold with excellent lease terms, maximising both the sale price and the long-term value of the property.
Northern Rivers, NSW
Northern Rivers, NSW
This family run childcare centre, with the owner serving as director, attracted multiple offers during the campaign. We successfully secured a strong result, highlighting the continued demand for well-positioned regional services.
Kingaroy, QLD
Kingaroy, QLD
This tightly run childcare centre attracted strong interest from major buyers and was ultimately sold to an ASX-listed group. The owner successfully retained the freehold with favourable lease terms, securing both a strong sale price and long-term property returns.
Greater Western Sydney, NSW
Greater Western Sydney, NSW
This franchise aligned childcare centre faced several complications, including a challenging franchisee relationship and a landlord limiting the lease to 13 years. Despite these hurdles and a 12-month campaign, we achieved a very strong outcome for the vendor.
Logan, QLD
Logan, QLD
This purpose built childcare centre faced high staff costs and low occupancy, yet the campaign generated multiple offers. We secured a cash deal and negotiated an excellent lease for the owner, delivering both financial and operational certainty.
Current Listings
Ipswich, QLD
This established long day care service is licensed for 75+ places and consistently operates above 90% occupancy. The centre delivers a strong FY25 EBITDA of $827,000 with rent at just 8% of revenue. A secure 30-year lease remains in place, complemented by a large outdoor licensed area suited to 190+ places. Staffed above ratio with no waivers, this centre represents a rare opportunity in the Ipswich market. Guide Price: Low to Mid $4 millions.
9 Service Portfolio, South East Queensland
An established childcare brand is offering its leasehold portfolio of nine services across South East Queensland. The portfolio delivers an EBITDA of more than $2.5 million, with a WALE (Weighted Average Lease Expiry) exceeding 25 years. All centres are modern, purpose-built facilities and are supported by highly experienced, long-serving staff. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a large-scale, well-established childcare group in a high-demand region.
Gold Coast, Qld
This 110+ place childcare service offers a fantastic lease at under $3,000 per place, with more than 20 years remaining. The centre generates solid profit with significant upside potential and benefits from a highly experienced, long-term director in place. A strong opportunity in the sought-after Gold Coast market.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
A boutique childcare service licensed for fewer than 60 places, located in an outstanding position on the Sunshine Coast. Originally purpose-built, the centre is highly profitable with terrific upside for a new owner. A rare freehold going concern opportunity in one of Queensland’s most sought-after regions.
Western Sydney, NSW
A modern, purpose-built long day care service licensed for 80+ places, opened in 2022 and featuring a stunning architectural design with low-maintenance construction. Current occupancy is approximately 70% and forecast to reach 85% by year-end. The centre generates around $700k EBITDA with a strong daily fee structure, excellent staff–child relationships, and a new 30-year lease on attractive terms. Offers over $3.2 million.
Sydney, NSW
A profitable long day care service licensed for 120+ places with occupancy consistently above 85%. The centre is well maintained and presented, with daily fees ranging from $145 to $156 depending on age group. Operated under employed directors with great staff and no waivers in place. A brand-new lease is available, with no option to purchase the freehold.
Sydney, NSW
A newly purpose-built 100-place childcare service, recently opened and now available as the current operator is retiring. Secure 30-year lease in place at $5,500 per licensed place.
Regional, NSW
A well-maintained, purpose-built long day care service licensed for 60 places, with scope to optimise utilisation. The sale also includes a community-based Family Day Care business supported by a significant waitlist. With long-standing, experienced staff and strong local demand across multiple programs, this freehold going concern represents an excellent opportunity for both owner-operators and investors.
North Melbourne, VIC
An exceptional lease takeover opportunity for a newly built, 80 place centre in Melbourne’s north. Recently opened and trading at 23% occupancy, the service is fully staffed, resourced, and features a high-quality playscape. With a lease structured well below market rental levels, this is a true turnkey opportunity with significant upside.
Regional Victoria, VIC
A brand-new, purpose-built 75 place centre in Regional Victoria. Currently trading at 70% occupancy with a strong staffing structure already in place. Offering both freehold and business in one package, this opportunity combines stable cash flow with substantial future growth potential.
What People Say
We had the pleasure of working with Hayden as our broker. From start to finish, Hayden was professional, reliable, and extremely knowledgeable in the childcare sector. He truly understood the unique aspects of our business and went above and beyond to guide us through what turned out to be a successful albeit long and drawn-out process. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking to sell.
I've had the pleasure of working with Hayden on several childcare transactions. His personal approach sets him apart - he takes the time to truly understand both buyers and sellers, ensuring seamless deals that work for everyone involved. Hayden's deep market knowledge and unwavering support throughout the entire process make him an invaluable asset. His expertise and genuine commitment to his clients' success make him an invaluable partners.
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Hayden is the most hands-on broker I’ve ever dealt with and I really appreciate all the time and effort that he put into this most recent transaction. I look forward to working together on future opportunities.
I'm always amazed at the prices Hayden is able to obtain for sellers of childcare centres. He sees more than just the profit and loss and takes into consideration the whole value offering such as potential upside. It's extraordinary the knowledge that he holds regarding business values. Hayden also gets to know the business he is selling by doing site visits and personalised inspections.
I have been working with Hayden Mollard for over a year while reviewing childcare opportunities, and throughout this time he has been an outstanding support. Hayden is always available, quick to respond, and willing to share his industry knowledge in a way that makes the process clear and straightforward.Where some brokers may not take the time unless you are a large corporate buyer, Hayden has consistently gone above and beyond.
I have been in childcare for 25+ years and during that time have owned 50 centres. Through the course of my career I have dealt with many brokers, and I have found Hayden to be one of the most professional and capable. Hayden has assisted me on both sides of transactions, he has successfully sold a number of childcare services for us, and I have also dealt with him as the buyer. I would not hesitate to recommend Hayden.
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I have had the pleasure of working with Hayden for years. Hayden has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, industry knowledge, and an ability to navigate complex negotiations with clarity and confidence. What sets Hayden apart is his hands-on approach. He is highly responsive, proactive in addressing issues as they arise, and always makes himself available to ensure momentum is maintained.
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I've spent 20 years developing childcare centres across regional QLD and worked with many brokers. None have impressed me as much as Hayden. Hayden doesn’t just “broker” a deal, he invests himself in it. When he acted as my agent on a development site, he treated the project as if it were his own, handling challenges with absolute commitment. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him, I actively encourage others in our sector to work with him.
FAQs
Request Appraisal
Curious about what your service is worth? Complete this form and one of our brokers will contact you within 24 hours. Alternatively, if you would like a confidential chat, please call
1300 812 801.