Sessional Kindergarten Manager

Goodstart is Australia's largest early learning provider. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we exist purely to improve the lives of Australia's children and their families. Our people are our foundation, together we are working to ensure children have the learning, development and wellbeing outcomes they need for school and life.

Role: Sessional Kindergarten Manager

Location: Western Melbourne

Employment Type: Full Time 38hrs per week

We are seeking an experienced and inspiring leader to take on the pivotal role of Sessional Kindergarten Manager. This is a rare opportunity with Goodstart to make a real difference by shaping the performance, quality, and future direction of sessional kindergartens across Victoria.

Your leadership will directly influence the professional growth of our Centre Directors and the long-term success of our kindergartens, ensuring that every child benefits from a high-quality early learning experience.

Your Impact:

As the Sessional Kindergarten Manager, you will oversee the operations of our sessional kindergartens and directly support Centre Directors to succeed as leaders. You will play a key role in:

• Lifting quality and educational outcomes for children by empowering and coaching Centre Directors.
• Driving regulatory compliance and exceeding National Quality Standards (NQS).
• Strengthening business performance and resource management to ensure sustainable impact.
• Building strong and collaborative relationships with schools, the Department of Education, and local government authorities to enhance the reputation and success of our kindergartens.
• Ensuring every kindergarten has strong leadership coverage, stepping into the Centre Director role where necessary.

What Goodstart can offer you:

• Flexible work arrangements giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to better manage your work and non-work needs
• Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging benefits which reduce your taxable income to increase take home pay
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%)
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
• Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
• Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.

You'll bring to the table:

• Proven management experience overseeing sessional kindergarten operations and leading performance uplift.
• Strong capability in managing high-level external stakeholder relationships, including government and school partners.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills with the ability to empower and influence others.
• A recognised Early Childhood Qualification and deep knowledge of EYLF, VEYLDF, and NQF.

• Flexibility to travel within Victoria and occasionally work outside standard business hours.

• Management experience across multi-site operations.

• Bachelors degree in Early Childhood, additional Business Management qualifiactions will be highly regarded.

• Current VIC Working with Children Check

How to apply

Click 'Apply Now' and submit your application.

We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.

Have a question? Contact Shelby from our Talent Acquisition Team via email

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We're an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We're also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.