Assistant Center Manager at Stride Early Learning

• Lead with genuine autonomy – Clarity of expectations and high trust
• Resources that match your ambition – Investment in the latest materials, resources, and support to deliver excellence
• Build your career, not just do a job – Join a growing organisation, high priority on ongoing PD investment, and hands-on mentorship

Exciting growth within Stride Early Learning invites experienced and big picture focused Assistant Centre Managers.

As part of our leadership team, you will be encouraged and resourced to shape your centre’s culture, drive quality improvements, and make decisions that matter. You will be supported by a highly experienced leadership team that deeply understands early childhood education and genuinely backs its leaders.

– Recruit, develop, and inspire an expert team of educators who are passionate about children’s learning and pedagogical best practice.

Your key areas of focus

Strategic leadership:

• Lead your Quality Improvement Plan and drive continuous improvement across all NQS areas
• Collaborate on key operational decisions, use your experience to continuously improve our organisation and deliver exceptional experiences for children and their families

Team Excellence:

• Recruit, develop, and inspire an expert team of educators who are passionate about children’s learning
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for your team
• Create a positive workplace culture, demonstrating our appreciation for the important work our educators do

Family & Community engagement:

• Build and maintain strong, authentic partnerships with families

Operational management:

• Demonstrate and ensure our full compliance with NQF, NQS, and all regulatory requirements
• Manage budgets, staffing, rostering, and day-to-day operations efficiently
• Maintain uncompromising standards of health, safety and well-being for children and staff

Why Choose Stride Early Learning?

 Leadership support

• Dedicated CM support: You won’t be alone – work alongside a capable Center Manager
• Senior leadership access: Regular connection with experienced leadership who understand your challenges
• Professional development: Fully paid PD opportunities, including internal and external leadership training and industry conferences
• Realistic workload: External contract cleaners and in-house maintenance team, so you can focus on leading, not cleaning and fixing

Access to resources

• If you need it for quality education, we get it – learning materials, equipment, and resources without the budget battles
• Access to Xplor and Playground software systems with full training and support
• Free uniforms for all staff

Benefits

• childcare discount on the gap fee – one of the most generous in the industry
• Wage Retention Payments recognising your commitment and expertise
• Career Progression: Clear pathways to Area Manager and senior leadership roles as we continue to grow
• Work-Life Balance: We understand that great leaders need to recharge – reasonable hours and genuine flexibility

Our culture

• Collaborative, supportive team environment across all Stride center’s
• Open-door leadership that listens and acts on feedback
• Recognition and celebration of achievements
• A place where FUN is part of the job description

What you bring

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Proven experience in center leadership within early childhood education
• Strong understanding of NQF, NQS, and regulatory compliance
• Current and mandatory Certificates and Checks
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to lead, inspire, and develop a team

It would be exceptional if you have:

• Experience with Xplor and Playground software
• Experience managing Quality Improvement Plans and regulatory assessments
• Demonstrated success in building occupancy and family satisfaction

Ready to lead with purpose?

If you are a highly experienced early childhood leader who is held back by being under-resourced and under-supported, we’d love to hear from you.

Your application: Send your Resume and include a Cover Letter sharing:

1. What your ideal Centre culture looks like
2. Your proudest achievement as a leader
3. How you can add value to Stride Early Learning

How to Apply:

Please click the ‘Apply’ button and upload your Resume and Cover Letter

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 having full working rights and undertaking or having valid mandatory checks and certificates, such as WWCC, Police Clearance, Child Safe certificate. 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.

Contact: hr@strideearlylearning.wa.edu.au

Applications Close: 30/08/26

Stride Early Learning is committed to child safety and all appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks including Working with Children Check, National Police Check, and reference verification.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.