Step 1: Market Identification
Detailed step breakdown
This step involves conducting research on market trends and demand for the specific requirements once an initial idea or concept for a co-located ECEC has been identified.
This could include analysing current supply gaps, demographic trends and community needs at the precinct or local government (LGA) level.
This step also encompasses identifying and evaluating potential sites that could accommodate co-located ECEC facilities, considering accessibility, zoning requirements, community proximity and strategic alignment with identified service gaps.
Step 1 Checklists
Use these stakeholder-specific checklists by selecting the relevant checklist relevant to your project team, then work through the items systematically before moving forward with key decisions or deliverables.
Further resources
Use these supplementary resources to help guide your actions throughout the market identification step. These resources can also be useful for stakeholders who might not have considered co-located ECEC yet.
How to conduct a community needs assessment?
Adapted from Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Scope the needs assessment – clarify purpose, what will the assessment inform and who will use the results?
- Determine assessment criteria – develop evaluation criteria before collecting data
- Plan for data collection – choose between qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods
- Collect, analyse and present data – gather information systematically using planned methods. Suggested data points include existing and planned schools, as well as analysis of existing ECEC.
- Apply criteria and prioritise needs – use established criteria to systematically evaluate identified needs
- Identify next steps and report back – explore priority issues deeper, research causes, risk factors and evidence-based interventions.
What funding and grants are available in regional NSW?
Use the following links to find funding opportunities available in your region:
- Department of Education grants and funded programs
- Regional NSW Available grants and funding
- Investment NSW Grants, programs & sponsorships
- Australian Government Community Child Care fund
- Local RDA offices offer information about local grants, funding advice, and partnership facilitation for regional projects. Each RDA region maintains a list of current incentives and support programs.
Please go to our next page: Step 1: Questions for Developers and a Case Study