Child Care Forrest

Needs Analysis

Forrest 2603 is served by 4 child care centres for an estimated 44 children under 5 — around 0.2 children per long day care place. See how local fees, occupancy and supply gaps compare with Australian Capital Territory.

Updated September 21, 2026 4 Centres Pop: 2,014
Centres map & directory

Child care centres

Explore centres on the map, filter by type, then review the directory below.

Id Name Type Places Approval Distance (Km) Day Rate Availability

* Click centres on the map for more detail and custom analysis options.

Local supply snapshot

Key metrics

Forrest (ACT) compared with Australian Capital Territory

LDC Providers
LDC Providers
2
177
LDC Places
Total LDC Places
232
15,677
Population
Total Population
2,014
494,838
Per Place
Persons Per Place
8.7
-
Avg Age
Avg Centre Age
12.8 yrs
11 yrs
0-4 Pop
Population 0-4
44
26,573
Kids Per Place
0-4 Per LDC Place
0.19
1.7
Workforce
Workforce Impact
Exceptional
Standard
School Att
School Attendance
476
-
School Per LDC
School Per LDC Place
2.05
4.9
Avg Fee
Avg LDC Fee ($/day)
$186
$177
Other
Other Places (PSK/OOSH)
150
-

SOURCE: ACECQA, StartingBlocks, ABS data analysed by AreaSearch
Last updated:

Approvals Pipeline Childcare development approvals near Forrest (ACT)

Childcare development applications on record across the catchment around Forrest (ACT), from lodgement through to determination. Project-by-project detail — addresses, proposed places and status, drawn from council DA / planning registers — is in the full approvals register on this page.

Development approvals is a new addition to AreaSearch. We’re actively expanding council coverage and refining the dataset — details and statuses for some councils may be partial. Check back regularly for the latest pipeline.
Childcare approvals
2
In the local catchment
Proposed places
0
Where disclosed
Under assessment
0
Awaiting determination
Determined
0
Approved or decided

Most recent projects

  • New four-storey health care and office building with two levels of basement parking.

    Lodged Apr 2024

  • Lease variation to add and amend uses for Block 13 Section 49 Deakin.

    Lodged Oct 2022

Free accounts see the two most recent projects above. Sign in or go Pro to unlock the full approvals register on this page — search by address or DA number, filter by status, council and project scale. Data is drawn from council DA / planning registers.

SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.

Forrest (ACT) Child Care FAQ
What is the Child Care supply composition of Forrest (ACT)?
As of our last update on September 21, 2026, there are 4 child care centres in Forrest (ACT). Of these, 2 centres provide Long Day Care with 232 places, there is one Out of Hours School Care centre that has 150 places, and a single centre providing other child care services. The suburb also contains a single school with 476 enrolments.
What population do these centres in Forrest (ACT) service?
AreaSearch's latest population estimate for Forrest (ACT) as at August 2026 stands at a total of 2,014 people, of this 44 are estimated to be children under five years of age.
Why do your population numbers differ from Census figures for Forrest (ACT)?
Some areas have changed considerably since the 2021 Census was undertaken. At the 2021 Census Forrest (ACT) was assessed as having 1,827 people with 44 of these (2.4%) being children under 5 years old. Given changes in localised population estimates by the ABS we estimate that Forrest (ACT) has experienced population growth of approximately 187 people from the 2021 Census.
How does the ratio of children per LDC place in Forrest (ACT) compare to those in Australian Capital Territory?
In Forrest (ACT), our latest analysis shows there are 0.2 resident children under 5yo per LDC place. This figure is significantly lower than the 1.7 children per place across Australian Capital Territory.
How do childcare fees in Forrest (ACT) relate to those in Australian Capital Territory?
Childcare fees in Forrest (ACT) average $186, which is slightly higher than the regional average of $177 in Australian Capital Territory.
How does the ratio of school population per LDC place compare in Forrest (ACT) and Australian Capital Territory?
In Forrest (ACT), there are 2.1 students per LDC place. This figure is significantly lower than the 4.9 students per LDC place in Australian Capital Territory.
What is the average age of Long Daycare Centres in Forrest (ACT)?
The average LDC in Forrest (ACT) was approved 12.8 years ago, while across Australian Capital Territory the typical centre approval is 11 years old.
Is the local workforce a significant driver of additional child care demand for Forrest (ACT)?
Yes, workforce activity is exceptional in this area and is a major driver of child care demand.
Who would typically use analysis such as this?
Childcare operators, developers, investors and financiers would typically conduct a thorough child care supply and demand analysis (SDA) on Forrest (ACT) before allocating the significant amount of capital required. Boundary-based analysis such as this is often used as an initial guide however, and analysis would be undertaken on the specific site adopting a radial, travel time, or custom catchment to take into account nearby competition and demand drivers that would influence a centre's performance.

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