Centre Manager / Assistant Centre Manager | Now or 2027 start | Choose location

Leading an early learning centre is some of the most rewarding work there is. It is also some of the most demanding. What makes the difference is the organisation standing behind you.

At Stride Early Learning, that organisation is built on good governance and deep leadership expertise. Our leadership team has worked in early childhood education for many years and has guided centres through every season of the sector, the highs and the harder times. That experience shows in how we lead: clear policies, clear accountability, steady decisions and a long-term view.

We wrote this ad around what Centre Managers and Assistant Centre Managers tell us they want from their next role. Here is how we deliver it.

“I want to know the organisation I join is steady and well led.”

At Stride:

• Good governance at every level. Clear policies, clear roles and clear accountability, from the General Manager to every room.
• Occupancy is a shared plan. Your General Manager and Development Managers work the numbers with you, and we build centre growth plans together for family tours, community engagement, and retention.
• Quality protects our future. Our Blueprint builds children’s health and safety standards into daily routines in every centre.
• We grow our own workforce. Our traineeship program brings new educators into Stride each year.

 “I want to lead my centre, not be pulled in every direction.”

At Stride:

• You lead. Others clean and fix. External contract cleaners and an in-house maintenance team are already in place.
• The load is shared. Centre Managers and Assistant Centre Managers work as a partnership with clear roles.
• Resources when you need them. If you need it for quality education, we get it.
• Reasonable hours and flexibility. Great leaders need time to recharge, and we plan for that.
• Support for you, not only your team. An Employee Assistance Programme is available to you and your educators.

 “I want real support, from day one.”

At Stride:

• A structured first 90 days, led by your General Manager, with clear check-ins and a plan.
• Day 1 Centre Induction at your own centre, with your own team.
• Week 1 walkthrough of our Centre High Quality Service Blueprint with our Area Manager Compliance.
• Systems training on Xplor and our internal systems, so you are confident from the start.
• A peer network. Monthly Centre Manager meetings and connection with leaders across every Stride centre.

 “I want to feel confident every time an assessor walks in.”

At Stride:

• You inherit a system, not a blank page. Our Centre High Quality Service Blueprint sets out best practice for every room and every system, aligned to the NQF, NQS and EYLF.
• The routines are already mapped. Daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and yearly, so nothing depends on memory.
• Quality is checked together, with our Area Manager Compliance, so you are always ready.

 “I want the right support for children who need a little more.”

At Stride:

• Allied health is built in. Our partnership with Little Lions Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy brings early intervention into our centres.
• No out-of-pocket cost to families.
• Specialist education and support for our educators
• A clear process. Families follow a step-by-step pathway, with you as their contact person and allied health professionals behind you.

“I am ready for the next step, with structure around me.”

At Stride:

• You will know what good looks like. Our Centre Manager and Assistant Centre Manager Skills Competency Framework sets clear standards for the role.
• Development is planned, with an individual development plan built with your General Manager.
• Fully paid professional development, including leadership training and industry conferences.
• A real pathway, from Assistant Centre Manager to Centre Manager, and multi-site leadership as we grow.

Two ways in

Centre Manager

For you if you have led a centre and want to lead with a system and a General Manager behind you.

 You will:

• Lead your centre’s culture, quality and Quality Improvement Plan across all NQS areas
• Recruit, develop and lead your team, with your Assistant Centre Manager as your partner
• Build occupancy and family partnerships, with General Manager support
• Manage budgets, staffing, rostering and daily operations
• Keep children’s safety, health and wellbeing at the centre of every decision

Assistant Centre Manager

For you if you are a 2IC, Educational Leader or experienced Room Leader ready to step up, with structure around you. You will:

• Partner with your Centre Manager to lead the team and daily operations
• Act as Responsible Person in Charge when your Centre Manager is away, with a clear handover
• Support rostering, compliance routines and family communication
• Mentor educators and model best practice on the floor
• Build towards Centre Manager through planned development

What you bring

• Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care (ACECQA approved)
• Centre leadership experience as a Centre Manager, Assistant Centre Manager, 2IC or Educational Leader
• Working knowledge of the NQF, NQS and regulatory compliance
• Current and valid mandatory checks and certificates
• The ability to lead, develop and support a team, and to make decisions under pressure
• Quality Improvement Plan development and assessment and rating preparation
• A track record of building occupancy and family satisfaction

About Stride Early Learning

Our Philosophy: Every great journey begins with a single step…

At Stride Early Learning, we are committed to providing high-quality childcare that prioritises the safeguarding and unique needs of every child. Our philosophy is rooted in thoughtful planning, proactive solutions, and a dedication to trust and transparency. We view mistakes as opportunities for growth and cultivate a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Children at Stride enjoy a supportive learning environment where they feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore. Families are welcomed as partners in their child’s care, with open communication and access to resources to support their parenting journey. Our passionate team of educators work in a positive, joyful culture that encourages growth, accountability, and pride in their impact. Together, we strive to make a lasting difference, creating an enriching experience for everyone in our community.

Our commitment to child safety

Stride Early Learning is a child-safe organisation, and we strongly uphold our child safety policies and procedures. We support and emphasise the rights and best interests of the child as paramount. There is a zero-tolerance culture of child maltreatment, abuse and neglect in our centres. Your understanding of, and commitment to, child safety will be explored throughout our recruitment process.

An invitation to APPLY

Simply upload an updated and comprehensive Resume.

P.S. If you are a Room Leader or Educational Leader thinking, ‘I could do this, but I have not held a leadership title yet’, apply anyway. We will be happy to consider your application.

This role will be advertised for up to 30 days, unless a suitable candidate is appointed prior. We reserve the right to close this ad at any time.

Start date: immediate or on serving notice

Candidates progressing to the next stage will be contacted.

An appointment is subject to full working rights and satisfactory checks, including a Working with Children Check, a National Police Check and reference verification. Where possible, we encourage you to gather these prior to your interview, should you progress through the phone screen stage.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from all backgrounds.