Company Research Report: Goodstart Early Learning
Company Overview
Name: Goodstart Early Learning
Mission of the Company: To give children the best possible start in life through access to quality early learning.
Founded: 2009
Founding Partners:
- The Benevolent Society
- Mission Australia
- The Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Social Ventures Australia
Key People in the Company:
- Paul Robertson AO: Goodstart Chair, Non-executive Director
- Natalie Walker: Non-executive Deputy Chair
- Lynelle Briggs AO: Non-executive Director
- Philip Coffey: Non-executive Director
- Professor Sir Kevan Collins: Non-executive Director
- Chris Harrop: Non-executive Director
- June McLoughlin AM: Non-executive Director
- Dr Ros Baxter: Chief Executive Officer
- Jeff Harvie: Deputy Chief Executive Officer
- Peter Gunn: Chief Financial Officer
- Myra Geddes: Social Impact General Manager
- Nick Hansen: Chief Products & Enabling Services Officer
- Sue Robb OBE: Chief Children's Officer
- Melinda Smith: Chief Operating Officer
- Natalie Townsend: Chief People & Culture Officer
Headquarters: No specific information available
Number of Employees: More than 15,800
Revenue: No information available
Company Specialization: Australia's largest provider of early learning and care.
Products and Services
Early Learning and Child Care
Description: Provides a nurturing, stimulating, and safe childcare environment with highly qualified early learning professionals. Programs are underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and delivered by highly qualified educators and teachers.
Kindergarten and Preschool
Description: Designed and delivered by bachelor-qualified teachers, these programs prepare children for school and life. Programs are tailored to meet the developmental needs and interests of children.
Vacation Care
Description: Activity-based programs developed by qualified educators for children aged 5-12 years. These programs offer a variety of fun and educational activities, excursions, and incursions designed to stimulate and engage children during school holidays.
Goodstart at Home
Description: An online collection of learning activities and experiences for children to explore at home. Developed by early childhood education experts, this program supports children's learning and development at home through play-based activities.
Recent Developments
New Products Launched
- Goodstart at Home: An innovative online resource providing enriching and playful learning activities for children at home.
New Features Added to Existing Products
- Vacation Care: Incorporation of the "My Time, Our Place" framework focusing on learning through play and leisure for vacation care programs.
Partnerships
- Early Learning Fund (ELF): Supported by leading not-for-profits to provide fee relief to vulnerable children and families, ensuring access to high-quality early learning and care.
Government and Sector Engagements
- More Affordable Childcare: Various state governments are providing additional subsidies to reduce the cost of childcare for families in 2023.
- Advocacy: Continuous advocacy to government and the community for quality early learning, universal access for long-term funding, support for vulnerable children, and improving laws and policies to protect children from abuse.
Awards and Recognition
- Employer of Choice: Recognized in The Australian Business Awards 2023 for developing a leading workplace that maximizes the full potential of its workforce through effective employee engagement, retention, and recruitment policies.
Special Initiatives
- Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): Focus on building connections, celebrating Indigenous culture, and providing an early learning environment where all children feel welcome.
- Programs for Vulnerable Children: Specific programs invested to address vulnerability, giving children an opportunity to maximize their learning, development, and wellbeing.
Summary
Goodstart Early Learning is a prominent not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and care across Australia. With a strong focus on inclusivity, safety, and quality, Goodstart serves more than 61,400 children through over 654 centers nationwide. The company continues to innovate and expand its services, ensuring all children, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances, can access quality early learning and care.
