Astute Education

One of many free courses anyone can do at Harvard University online.
Worth checking out, some good ones on wellbeing and resilience as well..
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Business Transformation through a Culture of Health | Harvard University Learn how a Culture of Health can transform your business by integrating worker, customer, community, and environmental well-being for sustainable success.

Always fun to visit Farm inspired centres

This is definitely worth a read and downloading the PDF flyer. We see this with multiple phones and devices all together in Multi boxes. Often with chargers purchased from $2 store...

https://www.fireandemergency.nz/lithium-ion-battery-safety/

Over the years we’ve worked with centre owners who have dealt with floods, fires, burst pipes and significant building damage or total destruction.

One thing many discover very quickly is just how hard it can be to remember — or prove — what was actually inside the centre.

A few simple things every owner should consider:
• Walk through your centre every 6–12 months and video every room... Maybe its a quick 10 minute task this long weekend?
• Keep copies of invoices for resources, furniture, playground equipment and fit-out items in Xero, MYOB or cloud storage
• Store insurance details and key documents securely online
• Think through operational continuity — where would children and staff go tomorrow if the building was suddenly unusable?
• Make sure management know where emergency contacts, supplier details and key information are stored

Many of the resources that make a centre operational are accumulated over years and are not always obvious from financial statements alone.

You hope you never need any of this. But when something does happen, preparation makes a huge difference.

One thing we have noticed after many years in ECE is that the best operators tend to identify issues and opportunities earlier than everyone else.

Not because they are smarter. But because they recognise patterns.

They’ve seen occupancy trends before.
They’ve seen staffing pressure build before.
They’ve seen what happens when enquiry numbers soften, team culture changes, compliance standards drift, or parent expectations shift.

In ECE, the signals are usually there long before the real problem appears on a profit and loss statement or in an ERO report.

That’s why experience matters.

Often an owner or manager isn’t really asking:
“What should I do?”

They’re actually asking:
“What am I missing?”

That outside perspective can be incredibly valuable when someone has worked across many services, regions, teams and business models over a long period of time.

The next stage for the ECE sector will be operators using better systems, stronger data, and AI tools to identify trends earlier and make better decisions faster.

The sector is changing quickly.
The operators who adapt early will likely be the ones who stay strongest long term.

You will see on our website Resource Hub a bunch of free resources including some great books we recommend.

This one is a great read. Highly recommended for anyone who has a team or runs meetings.

Never Split the Difference THE HUGE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER A former FBI hostage negotiator offers a new, field-tested approach to negotiating - effective in any situation. 'Riveting' Adam Grant 'Stupendous' The Week 'Brilliant' Guardian ____________________________ After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Mi...

New Blog and Free video on what every new ECE owner needs to know about being ready for ERO.
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https://www.astuteeducation.com/blog/post/165436/what-every-childcare-centre-owner-needs-to-know-about-being-ero-ready/

Astute Leaders Circle now launched - for Childcare Owners
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After 18+ years in the childcare sector, one thing has become obvious…

Most owners and leaders are isolated.

They’re making high-stakes decisions around staffing, occupancy, compliance, finances, leases, Ministry changes and team culture — often without having a trusted group around them.

That’s exactly why we created the Astute Leaders Circle.

A small, high-performing group for childcare owners and senior leaders who want:

• Better financial and operational performance
• Accountability and clarity
• Direct access to experienced operators
• Real-world advice — not theory
• A network of ambitious owners who actually understand the sector

This is not a generic coaching programme.

It’s practical support from people actively operating in the ECE sector every day.

The response pre-launch has honestly exceeded expectations, with 7 services already committed before officially opening.

We are limiting this to 20 services nationally and restricting competing centres within the same geographic areas.

Starts 13 July 2026.
If you’re serious about building a stronger childcare business and being part of a high-performing group, have a look here:
https://www.astuteeducation.com/astute-leaders-circle/

Based on Google research these types of images get the best click through rate.

Strongest performing imagery usually includes:
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-Mum or Dad dropping off smiling child
- Kaiako kneeling to child level
- Child engaged in sensory or outdoor play
- Genuine laughter
- Diverse families
- Soft natural colours

This style generally converts better because parents subconsciously ask:

-“Would my child feel safe here?”
-“Would they be loved?”
-“Would they belong?”
-“Can I trust these people?”

Quite a few applications for our sector in 2027? Reasonably priced as well... https://www.figure.ai/figure