Childcare

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GUEST OBSERVER
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The Early Childhood Development and Care (ECDC) industry has been an asset class with strong returns for many years, however recently the new government childcare rebates, coupled with a number of other well-timed market changes, have seen this particular asset class truly become one to watch for astute investors. 
In a recent white paper Child Care: Australia’s Burgeoning Real Estate Investment Class by Colliers International, it identified an 800 per cent increase in the number of sales of child care centres from 2008 to 2016, with the highest volume of activity concentrated across the east coast. 
The growth of the industry is supported by several key factors that effectively de-risk the class asset and reinforce what we have believed for some time – that childcare is one of the more attractive investment asset classes of 2017 for developers and investors alike. 
HISTORY OF STRONG YIELDS 
The childcare industry has historically recorded higher yields and stronger transaction volumes than its counterparts in the office, retail and industrial sectors. For example, in September 2010 the highest yield of the past decade was recorded at 14 per cent garnered. 
The spate of new competition amongst childcare operators and investors has seen a sharpening of transaction yields and as a result, the industry is showing clear signs of maturity as the performance gap closes comparative to other sectors. 
As the market matures industry yields have consolidated. According to Julian Heatherich, Savills Australia Director, CBD &amp; Metro Sales yields have been peaking at the 6 to 7 per cent range over the past 12 to 18 months 
LONG-TERM TENANCY AGREEMENTS 
Unlike other commercial asset classes where tenancy agreements tend to be an average of ten years, the ECDC industry leases are normally 15 to 20 years, providing more certainty and stability for landlords and investors. 
The stability of these tenancy agreements are amplified by the triple net-lease tenancy model used throughout the market. Under this agreement, operators are responsible for paying the building property taxes, insurance and maintenance which, under most other lease types, would fall to the landlord. 
Thus the nature of these leasing agreements makes childcare a popular vehicle for investors as it creates a steady low-risk income with some built in capital protection. 
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 
In May this year, the federal budget outlined significant changes to the childcare rebate system and will soon offer subsidies relative to income - skewed to favour lower income earners. 
To take effect on 1 July 2018, the new childcare packages will provide families earning less than $65,000 per annum with an 85 per cent rebate, tapering off to 20 per cent for households earning $250,000 - $340,000. 
The government objective is to incentivise families to return to work by increasing accessibility to childcare services, which may have been, until now, out of reach. A secondary objective is to invest in ECDC industry and positively impact yields, which will attract investment and generate competition and enforce pressure for higher quality of child care services nationwide. 
Government support will ensure stability in demand for the industry, presenting astute investors with yet another argument for childcare as a low-risk, low-term investment opportunity.
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STEADY DEMAND 
Location is key to a childcare centre’s success. Until now city and metro-based centres were sitting at an occupancy rate exceeding 80 per cent due to the density of population in their catchment areas. However, regional area attendance is fluctuating between 50 to 70 per cent. 
According to a report released in 2017 by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) since 2013 there has been a 39 per cent increase in the number of children enrolled in child care facilities and only 26 per cent increase in the number of child care centres nationwide. 
The increased demand is underpinned be steady population growth as well as the female workforce participation rates, which have been on a consistent upturn since the 1980s. 
Considering the changes to government support, the low risk environment for this asset class is assured. The legislative changes ensure resilience of consumer income in an economic downturn for this asset. and reinforces the childcare freehold as a protected asset class. 
Furthermore, these key economic features hint at the potential growth suburbs for the child care services nationwide presenting an array of investment opportunities across Australia. 
When the above is considered, the case for child care as an asset class becomes compelling. There are few asset classes that are comparable in terms of being able to offer secure, long-dated income profile that is underpinned by explicit government support. This asset is future-proofed with a long history of good performance and underlying social trends that continue to support its strength. 
Backed by a sound track record and with more potential to be unlocked come 1 July 2018, developers would do well to factor this strength into their portfolios for the years ahead. 
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Michael Kark is a co-founder and Executive Director of Monark Property Partners and can be contacted <a href="https://www.monarkpartners.com.au" target="_blank">here.</a>
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Why childcare is the next class asset to watch

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A Taree childcare facility was passed in at recent auction.
The result was despite a new 20 year lease ending 2038 with options to 2058 to Little Flippers, an experienced childcare provider with 13 other facilities.
Located at 9 Coolabah Drive, Taree, the property was passed in at $1.8 million.
The recently refurbished 55 place facility is set on 1,051 square metres.
It has an occupancy rate of 94%.
Net income on the lease is $132,000 per annum plus GST and a minimum increase of 3% per annum.
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<div>After auction it was put up for expressions of interest with an indicative price of $1,885,000 (7% yield).</div>
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Taree child care facility with new 20-year lease passed in

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A local investor has purchased a childcare centre in Mount Helen in Victoria from a local private for $4,275,000.
Located at 1848 Geelong Road, the centre is currently occupied by tenant Goodstart Early Learning. The yield achieved was 6.40%.
The 120 place child care centre provides fixed annual rental growth of 5% and is situated on a 3,187 sqm landholding with dual frontages. The centre is ideally situated opposite Federation University, IBM and other major organisations within Mount Helen
The deal was negotiated by Mark Stafford, Julian Heatherich and Benson Zhou from Savills Australia.
“Through our extensive database of highly qualified and motivated buyers, Savills was able to implement a strategic and targeted off-market database campaign, and ultimately achieve a premium result for our client’ said Mr Stafford.
Mr Stafford added that “the sale price highlights the ongoing demand we are experiencing for income generating assets, with high quality tenants throughout Victoria”.
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Mount Helen childcare centre sold to local investor

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Childcare centres are firmly on the radar of off-shore investors, as evident from the sale of a childcare centre in Melbourne's Camberwell to a China-based investor for $6.82 million after more than 70 percent expressions of interest coming from foreign buyers.
The purchaser paid more than $400,000 over the reserve - on a 5.05 per cent yield, the firmest yield yet recorded in the price range. The sale follows a similar result late last year when a China-based investor paid $2.3 million on a 5.1 per cent yield for a childcare centre at Rowville.
Head of Savill’s Childcare Investments team, Julian Heatherich, who brokered the 164-168 Warrigal Road deal with James Lockwood, said childcare centres were now flavour of the month.
"Childcare has really come of age as an asset class in its own right and this sale presents unequivocal evidence. We currently have more interest for child care investment than any other asset class. The property drew well over 100 enquiries with seven out of ten formal offers coming from off-shore,’’ Heatherich said.
Located directly opposite Wattle Park Primary School, the modern, purpose-built centre comprises a 547 square metre floor area and 24 car spaces on a 2,065 square metre site with three street frontages. It was sold subject to a 10 year lease with option for a further 10 years to national operator, Affinity Educational Group, at an annual net rental of $344,986.
Heatherich said strong government support for one of the nation’s most rapidly growing industries was a key driver of the growing demand for chlldcare centre investments with centres selling off-market, off-the-plan, prior to auction and at hotly contested auctions.
He said the Rowville property had also attracted more than 100 enquires.
Heatherich said yields for childcare centres had, until recently been in the 6 to 7 per cent range but were now below 6 per cent.
"This is another example of buyers being prepared to buy on yields under six per cent and with such a strong foreign contingent vying for these centres it’s likely that we will see yields tighten even further over the course of this year.’’
Long term leases and strong government support for one of the nation’s most rapidly growing industries along with a statutory obligation for lessees to fastidiously maintain in the best possible order a facility which houses young children, had been key drivers of the increase in demand in the sector.
The Productivity Commission report into the childcare sector suggested an additional 50,000 long day care places will be needed to accommodate the population growth in children and the subsequent demand for childcare over the next ten years, while an increase in the maximum daily subsidy for childcare, proposed by the Federal Government, has provided further confidence for a market which is already one of the nations’ strongest employment growth sectors,’’ Lockwood said.
The federal government, in the 2015 Budget, announced $3.2 billion of new spending over four years to improve the affordability of childcare for low and middle income earners.
According to the Department of Social Services data, 1.2 million children attended approved child care in the year to September 2014, up 8.1 per cent on the previous year while the number of long day care centres grew to 6601.
"Childcare centres are going to figure prominently in investor portfolio considerations for years to come. We are only seeing the start of that trend now,’’ Lockwood said.
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Childcare centre in Melbourne sells for $6.82 million

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A childcare centre in Littlehampton in Adelaide Hills leased to ASX-listed G8 Education is up for sale at a Burgess Rawson portfolio auction in Melbourne on April 6.
The <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/buying/SA/Adelaide-Hills/Littlehampton/MedicalorConsulting/3P1257#.VvCcP2R96u5" target="_blank">1 Rosella Court</a> centre is on a 1.36 ha site with future redevelopment potential subject to council regulations.
The centre is on secure 10-year lease to G8 Education plus options through to 2040. G8 has more than 450 centres nationally.
The rent is $237,405 pa and there is a fixed 4 percent pa rent increase with the tenant paying all the usual outgoings.
The property has dual childcare facilities with main building licensed for 125 places and includes G8's state training/conference HQ, plus purpose built pre-school facility licensed for 45 places (completed 2014).
Littlehampton is a suburb of the Mount Barker District, with its population forecast to grow 58 percent by 2036 and located 30 km east from the Adelaide CBD.
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Childcare centre in SA's Littlehampton up for sale at Burgess Rawson auction

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Childcare centres were much in demand at Burgess Rawson's 103 portfolio auction in Sydney on Tuesday, with all the four on offer being snapped up by investors.
Hubba Bubba Child Care at <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/buying/NSW/North-Shore-~-Lower/Chatswood/Office/2P1153#.Vv2x_GR946U" target="_blank">204 Mowbray Road</a> in Sydney's Chatswood, which had received <a href="/expert-insights/investing/52053-burgess-rawson-portfolio-auction" target="_blank">185 enquiries prior</a> as reported by Property Observer, sold for $2.41 million on a record low yield of 3.9 percent to a local investor.
The 26-place childcare centre with 100 percent occupancy earns a net of $94,000 pa plus GST. 
The portfolio auction of 19 properties generated more than $35 million in sales, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Burgess Rawson director Dean Venturato said the Chatswood childcare centre sale was the clear standout result.
"We've sold over 120 childcare centres over the last two years and it's the first time we've sold one on sub-4 percent yield," he was quoted as telling AFR.
 
Another childcare centre, at <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/buying/NSW/Northern-Beaches/Freshwater/MedicalorConsulting/2P1163#.Vv2042R946U" target="_blank">10/4-8 Waine Street, Freshwater</a>, sold on a 6.1 percent yield. This one has 80 places with 100 percent vacancy and a waiting list.
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<div>The Prairewood centre at <a href="https://www.burgessrawson.com.au/buying/NSW/Western-Sydney/Prairiewood/MedicalorConsulting/3P1258#.Vv2222R946U" target="_blank">6 Pierce Close</a>, in the outer west, sold on a 5.1 percent yield.</div>
 
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Childcare centres ripe for Burgess Rawson's 103 portfolio auction

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Childcare centres are much sought-after by investors, with a purpose-built childcare centre in Sydney's Dee Why selling for $6 million to a private investor at auction this week through Colliers International.
The two-storey centre at 63 Lynwood Avenue is approved for 86 childcare places.
It was custom built in 2009 on a 1672 sqm block, said selling agents Brian McInally and Corey Beauchamp of Colliers International.
The property earns a net rental of $358,537 plus GST per annum, and the sale translates to a yield of 5.97%.  
“While we’re seeing yields compress in this asset class, childcare properties are still highly lucrative for investors when compared to other property classes,” said McInally.
The centre is privately run, with the parties agreeing to a 10-year lease with a 10-year option.
It was bought by a private investor, who has a portfolio of petrol stations and was looking to diversify. 
“Childcare is an appealing option for many investors,” said McInally. 
“Demand for childcare places will continue to grow. Our population growth, combined with the strong diversity push to encourage more mothers to return to work means that childcare places are hotly contested. This demand will fuel further growth in childcare property.”
Recently, another childcare centre in <a href="/expert-insights/investing/51484-childcare-centre-in-melbourne-sells-for-6-82-million" target="_blank">Melbourne's Camberwell</a>was snapped up by a China-based investor for $6.82 million on a tight yield of 5.05 percent. 
The buyer paid more than $400,000 over the reserve for the hotly contested property.
The sale follows a similar result late last year when a China-based investor paid $2.3 million on a 5.1 per cent yield for a childcare centre at Rowville.
Late last year, <a href="sponsored/burgess-rawson-100th-investment-portfolio-auction/47585-two-childcare-centres-see-strong-bidding-at-burgess-rawson-auction" target="_blank">two childcare centres</a> were sold at a Burgess Rawson portfolio auction in Melbourne for well above $3 million and yields of 5.6 percent.
The one in Hampton sold for $3.95 million and the other in Heatherton for $3.2 million.
 
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Childcare centre in Sydney's Dee Why sells for $6 million, reinforcing recent trend

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Colliers International are auctioning a portfolio of four G8 childcare centres and seven neighbourhood retail shops across Queensland and South Australia on Wednesday 15 June at 10.30am.
The Ormeau Kids and Ormeau Shopping Centre at 1 Arthur Way in Ormeau, Queensland can be purchased separately or together. The childcare centre has a 10 year lease with options through to 2041. The shopping centre is 100 percent leased with 7 retail tenancies including Pizza Capers, Liquor Legends, Friendly Grocer, Thai Restaurant, Café, Chemist and Hairdresser.
Coomera Kids at 1/1 Brygon Creek Drive Upper Coomera, Queensland has 224 places over 3,743 sqm and a fully leased net income of $523,185.
Upper Coomera Kids at 35 Nicola Way, Upper Coomera, Queensland has 138 places over 2993 sqm and a fully leased net income of $322,319
<div id="x_prop3iconoption3_START">Morphett Vale Early Learning Centre at 105-107 Flaxmill road Morpheme Vale, South Australia has 85 places and a fully leased net income $187,487. It is on a land area of 1,902 sqm.</div>
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Portfolio of four G8 childcare centres going to auction

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A Sunshine West childcare centre is on the market with expectations in the mid-$3 million range as demand from investors for the secure lease profiles on offer in the sector is seeing yields tighten.
The 2 David Drive property comprises a purpose-built centre, with a 703 square metre building licensed for 93 places.
The 2,216 square metre site is leased to ASX-listed operator G8 Education and includes outdoor playing areas. 
G8 Education Limited is a national operator with more than 450 child care centres. It has a 10-year lease expiring November 2018 with two five-year options at $198,061 per annum. 
According to marketing agents, Savills’ Julian Heatherich and James Lockwood, the property will test the market in a strong education precinct comprising eight primary schools and five secondary schools.
Lockwood said the sheer number of investors clamouring for a piece of the childcare centre action had seen yields fall continuously over the last 18 months, with yields in Melbourne now as low as 3.89 per cent.
"What has worked so well for childcare centres, apart from the obvious growth industry aspect, are the secure lease profiles, usually to national operators, and the prime, main street, locations,’’ Lockwood said.
 
 
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Childcare centre in Melbourne's Sunshine West on the market

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Market competition in the childcare space has seen yields sharpen over the last six months, ranging from 3.9 percent to 7.3 percent, according to a white paper from Colliers.
According to Colliers, sales in the childcare space were sporadic, and typically at higher yields than the retail and industrial market. The report noted a sale in September 2010 which transacted at a yield of over 14 percent, the highest since March 2007.
"Since then, yields have sharpened quickly, and this is not surprising given the newly created competition that has occurred amongst organisations keen to expand their portfolio," the report said.
"Yields have ranged from 3.90 percent to 7.30 percent in the last 6 months and while we can see further consolidation occurring, inconsistency is still apparent. The most recent transaction recorded in April 2016 attracted a yield of 3.90% percent Prior to this, the lowest yield achieved occurred in April 2014 at 4.32 percent.
"A heavy concentration of sales occurred on the east coast of Australia, especially in recent years with sales increasing from only 2 auctions in 2008 to 33 in 2015, most of which are tenanted with a 10 year average initial lease term. The first half of 2016 has seen 18 child care centres sold with the bulk of transactions occurring in New South Wales."
<a href="/images/2016/06/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-21%20at%201.07.03%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/21/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-21%20at%201.07.03%20PM.png" alt=""> 
The report said most childcare sales now include longer least terms, previously ten years.
"However as sales activity increases within this new investment sector, we’re seeing lease terms of 15 to 20 years emerge, along with a further 15 to 20 years in options which are to be exercised 5 years in advance. Anything under a term of 10 years for a new lease is a rarity and not widely considered by landlords. "
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