A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ASTUTE

Experts in Childcare Centre Management & Consulting

At Astute Early Years Specialists, we bring extensive experience in managing and supporting childcare centres across Australia. We understand the complexities of the early
childhood sector and provide tailored solutions to help centres navigate challenges, enhance quality, and achieve long-term success.

Whether you’re a first-time owner, an experienced operator, a not-for-profit organisation, or a local council managing an early learning service, our team provides the expertise, tools, and strategic guidance to help you succeed.

Thinking About Owning Your Own Childcare Centre?

Entering the world of childcare centre ownership is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. From navigating regulations to ensuring financial viability and building a strong team, there’s a lot to consider. At Astute Early Years Specialists, we guide new owners every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and successful journey into the sector.


Our Expert Team Provides:

﹒New Centre Acquisitions and Start-Up Support – We help you find, purchase, or
establish a centre with confidence, ensuring compliance and operational readiness.

﹒Licensing & Compliance Guidance – Navigating the National Quality Framework
(NQF) can be complex; we ensure you meet all requirements with ease.

﹒Business Planning & Financial Modelling – Set your centre up for long-term success
with strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting.

﹒Centre Design & Setup – From layout and resourcing to creating a nurturing learning
environment, we help design a centre that meets best-practice standards.

﹒Recruitment & Team Development – Find and train the right people to build a
passionate and high-performing team.

﹒Marketing & Enrolments Strategy – Position your centre for success with strong
branding, digital marketing, and community engagement strategies.

﹒Ongoing Operational Support – Gain access to expert advice, digital tools, and resources that make day-to-day management easier.

With our end-to-end guidance, new owners can confidently launch their childcare centre knowing they have a trusted partner by their side.

Struggling to Keep Your Childcare Centre Financially Sustainable?

Struggling to Keep Your Childcare Centre Financially Sustainable?

We understand that running a childcare centre is a big responsibility, and in an evolving sector, financial challenges can arise. If your centre is struggling with low occupancy, increasing costs, or operational inefficiencies, Astute Early Years Specialists can help transform your business to ensure long-term sustainability.

Our turnaround solutions include:

  • Comprehensive Business Health Check – A deep dive into your centre’s financials, enrolments, and operations to identify key pain points.
  • Revenue & Occupancy Growth Strategies – Proven methods to boost enrolments, enhance parent engagement, and improve retention.
  • Cost Reduction & Efficiency Optimisation – Practical strategies to cut unnecessary expenses and improve operational efficiency.
  • Staffing & Workforce Planning – Ensuring your team structure is sustainable while maintaining quality care and compliance.
  • Marketing & Community Engagement – Strengthening your centre’s brand, digital presence, and reputation to attract more families.
  • Compliance & Quality Improvements – Enhancing your National Quality Standard (NQS) rating to build credibility and trust.
  • With Astute’s expert support, struggling centres can turn challenges into opportunities, ensuring long-term viability and success.

Support for Not-for-Profit and Local Council-Owned Childcare Centres

Not-for-profit and local council-owned childcare centres play a crucial role in providing high-quality, accessible early childhood education for communities. However, balancing quality, compliance, financial sustainability, and community expectations can be complex.

Astute Early Years Specialists provide expert guidance tailored to the unique needs of not-for-profit organisations and local government-managed centres, including:

Governance & Compliance Support – Ensuring centres operate within regulatory requirements while aligning with community-focused missions.

· Financial & Operational Sustainability – Strategic planning to maintain affordability for families while ensuring the centre remains financially secure.

· Grant & Funding Assistance – Helping centres identify, apply for, and manage government grants and funding opportunities.

· Leadership & Workforce Development – Supporting centre managers and boards with professional development and workforce planning strategies.

· Community Engagement & Enrolment Growth – Strengthening relationships with local stakeholders and increasing enrolments through effective outreach.

· Quality Improvement & NQF Readiness – Ensuring centres are well-prepared for assessments and continuously improving the quality of care.

With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by not-for-profit and council-run centres, Astute provides practical, ethical, and sustainable solutions that ensure these services

We support your centre at Astute Early Years Specialists

How else can we support you?

Childcare centre management at Astute Early Years Specialists
Childcare consulting
Childcare consulting at Astute Early Years Specialist
Childcare centre management
NQF compliance, mock assessments, and A&R preparation at Astute Early Years Specialist
NQF compliance, mock assessments, and A&R preparation
QIP development and support at Astute Early Years Specialist
QIP development and support
Social media management at Astute Early Years Specialists
Social media management
Operational and business management at Astute Early Years Specialists
Operational and business management

Resources for Centre Owners

Taking Astute online! Valuable tools and resources you can access anytime and anywhere to help you and your centre exceed in this ever-changing world.

Childcare Centre Management & Consulting

Practical solutions that will increase your profit and do what’s best for children in your service. Yes, this is possible, in fact it's vital for a thriving profitable service.

Five Points of Quality

Five Points of Quality

Take the Five Points of Quality Assessment & find out how your centre is really doing. It's been developed from over 30 years industry experience it will point you in the right direction to improving your childcare centre.

Client Love

Next Steps KindyGena Smith Teacher and Educational Leader
Astute, and Mel in particular, really helped me to get my head around my position as Educational Leader at my centre. I had been in the role for a couple of years with no real direction or clear idea of what my job involved. Mel worked with me and gave me clear guidelines and processes to put into place to effectively fulfil my role. I am now an important part of our leadership team and am enjoying empowering the other teachers to consistently reflect on and improve their practice.
Simply Sunshine Child Care
Astute has been extremely professional and supportive towards our service. Mel has gone above and beyond and worked around the clock to support our team. From the moment we met Mel from Astute, we felt comfortable with her warm and friendly presence. Mel is professional, takes pride in sharing her experiences and knowledge. We are lucky to have had the opportunity to work closely with Mel and her team.

Get in touch

Contact us today and let our team of early years specialists work their magic.