It's been an interesting few days. Not only will those who...

It's been an interesting few days. Not only will those who bought at $1.88 be happy, but those who scrambled  to buy on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week will be reaping the rewards.

For those who bought, I trust that you read the disclaimer at the beginning of the release made to the market.

The release to the market was on 15 November, the occupancy graph is only shown up until the end of the first week in October. At that time G8's occupancy peaked at 81% IMO their average occupancy for the year is close to 74.4%. If the brownfield centres , greenfield centres and those centres disposed off were included, I suspect that the average occupancy figure would be much lower.

imo 85% of the release was pie in the sky, sales spin and I'm confused as to where G8's priorities lie as regards to  improving occupancy. Is it benefits and improved affordability tthat bolsters occupancy, do they believe that quality drives occupancy or is it assumed that scale operators provide differentiated offerings and higher quality? Their priority must be about improving quality. I'm unsure that recent partnerships are going to provide the solution they are seeking. 

On Thursday and Friday I telephoned 8 G8 centres. I asked each of those centres the same questions and received varied responses to my  querstions. All of those centres had vacancies in the two age groups I was enquiring about for next year. The responses from 6 of those centres was unsatisfactory, the staff lacked knowledge about the NQS, the involvement of parents in their QIP and their transition to school program. The remaining two centres were warm, had a great telephone manner and not only answered, but also asked questions. The main driver for improved occupancy must be at centre level. 

The streamlining off area and centre manager roles is a step in the right direction, but they must look at improving the connection of the staff in those roles with the community.

imo the sales spiel has to stop. Quotes on being an early learning champion and innovator, quality leader, employer of choice, best value provider in sector, best in class and releasing to the market that a sundae station has changed life for employees is IMO detracting from the serious hard work that lies ahead for G8.

IMO & DYOR