The plan aims to strengthen the way we work by clarifying support structures, improving systems, and making it easier for our teams to focus on what matters most.
The plan is focused on three core goals:
- Strengthening operational support within our services
- Ensuring financial sustainability
- Improving the experience for both our team members and the families we serve
This document provides an overview of recent updates aligned to the plan, and what they mean for you.
Support Office Structure
To better support our services across Early Education and OOSH, we have undertaken a review of how our Support Office operates.
This process was prompted by the absence of a clearly defined centralised support structure, which had been creating confusion and inefficiencies in our day-to-day operations.
The new structure provides clearer accountability, streamlined lines of communication, and more accessible support for our centres and services.
New Support Office structure
To ensure our services are better supported by a skilled and accessible team, several updates have been made to existing roles and reporting lines within the Support Office:
- Head of Early Education – Jacinta Gillies redeployed into this role
- Head of Risk & Compliance – Nicole Baker redeployed into this role
- Assistant Head of Early Education – Mel Thomas appointed with reporting line and title change
- Area Service Managers (OOSH) – Ellen Shaw, Alisha Cairns, and Georgina Beavis will report into the new Head of OOSH (vacant)
- Practice Support Lead, OOSH – Nicola Fox redeployed into this role
- Quality Assurance Lead – Fiona McIntyre, with updated position title
- Workforce Support Officer – Belinda Turner, with revised reporting line and updated position title
- Admin & Client Services – Nerida Dial and Kristine Bergskaas, reporting line change
- Early Childhood Teacher Mentor – Amanda Thornton, reporting line change
- Trainers & Assessors – Rachel Bennett and Tamara Lilley, reporting line change
- All other Support Office roles remain vacant – recruitment currently focused on Early Education support
Next steps
We are continuing to roll out the new structure, with several key milestones on the horizon.
- Appointment of Director of St Nicholas – recruitment underway
- Appointment of Head of OOSH – recruitment underway
- Some new roles are now open for application via our Careers page
- Further recruitment will follow based on leadership appointments
- There will be a transition period of four months during which certain roles under the previous structure will be concluding.
Early Education – Centre-Level Structure
We are enhancing the structure within our Early Education centres to strengthen leadership, streamline operations, and support team wellbeing and career growth.
Administration Roles
New administration roles are being introduced across all existing Early Education centres to provide greater day-to-day support.
These roles are designed to:
- Support enrolment and family communication processes
- Manage administrative tasks such as rostering, invoicing and centre documentation
- Allow Centre Directors and educators to focus more on leadership, learning, and relationships
Several appointments have already been made, with recruitment continuing across other centres.
Room Leader Opportunities
Internal expressions of interest will soon open for Room Leader roles across our Early Education centres.
These roles will:
- Strengthen leadership within learning environments
- Provide mentoring opportunities for educators
- Create clear progression pathways for team members looking to step into leadership
Details on how to apply will be shared soon.
Additional Assistant Directors – Larger Centres
For Early Education centres with licensed capacities over 100 places, we will be recruiting additional Assistant Directors to ensure appropriate on-the-ground leadership and operational support.
These new roles will:
- Work alongside Centre Directors to lead day-to-day operations
- Support mentoring, compliance and family engagement
- Strengthen leadership capacity at our larger services
Recruitment for these positions will begin shortly, with further information to come.
Strengthening our OOSH Model
As part of our commitment to building a more sustainable and supported Out of School Hours (OOSH) offering, we are introducing a dedicated leadership structure to drive long-term success across our OOSH services.
We are currently recruiting a new Head of OOSH, who will provide strategic oversight and leadership across all St Nicholas OOSH services. This role will be supported by a dedicated team within our new Support Office structure, designed to offer clearer guidance, accessible expertise and tailored support for each service.
These changes will:
- Strengthen our overall OOSH operating model
- Support local service leaders with clearer direction and better resources
- Ensure high-quality, consistent experiences for children and families
- Ensure the long-term sustainability of our OOSH programs
Evolving our Pathways Offering
We are refining the way we support School-Based Trainees (SBATs) and full-time Trainees through St Nicholas Pathways. These changes aim to ensure our Early Education centres can better support Trainees while creating clearer pathways to employment within St Nicholas.
Key changes include:
- Discontinuation of the Immersion program (from September 2025)
- Discontinuation of the CONNEX program (from December 2025)
- Reduction in the number of School-Based Trainees from 90 to a more sustainable level
- Centre Directors to determine the number of full-time Trainees based on service capacity
- Relocation of the Pathways team to Support Office, aligning their work more closely with service operations
These adjustments are being made to:
- Ensure our services can effectively support SBATs and Trainees
- Provide stronger employment pathways following the completion of studies
- Reduce the workload on Centre Directors and teams
Educator Wages
We recognise that our team members are the heart of St Nicholas, and we are committed to ensuring our wage offerings remain competitive, fair, and reflective of the vital work you do.
Workforce Retention Grant
We are pleased to confirm that our application for the Australian Government’s Workforce Retention Grant has been approved. This initiative provides meaningful financial support for eligible educators covered by the Children’s Services Award 2010 and the Educational Services (Teachers) Award 2020.
What this means:
- A 10% wage uplift for eligible educators, paid as an allowance
- An additional 5% wage uplift to follow next year
- Backpay arrangements will be confirmed and communicated in due course
- Recognises the essential role our educators play in delivering high-quality care and education
More information will be provided soon.
Ensuring wage competitiveness
Alongside government-supported initiatives, we are continually reviewing our internal wage structures to ensure St Nicholas remains competitive within the early education and care sector.
This focus helps us to:
- Attract and retain high-quality educators
- Provide financial recognition for the important work you do
- Stay aligned with industry benchmarks and expectations
We remain committed to building a positive, rewarding employment experience for every member of our team.
New Child Care Management System (CCMS)
A key project under the Strategic Action Plan is the implementation of a new Child Care Management System (CCMS), which will modernise the way we manage enrolments, communication, and documentation across our services.
We are pleased to share that:
- A preferred vendor has been selected
- We are working towards an October 2025 implementation
- More information, training opportunities, and support will be shared in the coming months
What this means for educators and leaders:
- More streamlined documentation and programming
- Enhanced communication with families
- Reduced administrative workload
What this means for families:
- A user-friendly and intuitive parent app
- A simplified booking and enrolment experience
- Real-time updates and communication from educators
- Easier access to enrolment information, billing, and statements
- A more connected, transparent, and consistent experience
This upgrade is a significant step towards improving the digital experience for our teams and the families we serve.
Updated Bond Payment Structure – Early Education
As part of our efforts to reduce barriers for families and support enrolment growth, a new bond payment structure has now been rolled out across all St Nicholas Early Education centres.
What’s changed
- The bond is now $100 per enrolled day, capped at $400 per child.
For example:
- 1 day/week = $100
- 3 days/week = $300
- 5 days/week = $400 (maximum bond)
- This replaces the previous requirement of two weeks’ full fees, which could result in much higher upfront costs
Why we made this change
- Significantly reduces the upfront financial burden for families
- Supports increased enrolments by removing a common barrier
- Aligns with sector trends and expectations
This simplified, more affordable bond structure helps ensure more families can confidently choose St Nicholas for their early education journey.
Further support
If you have any questions about the information shared in this briefing, please speak to your manager in the first instance or reach out directly at contactus@stnicholasmn.org.au.
If you would like additional support or someone to talk to, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all team members.
Access the EAP here.
