Ranjitha Prema Vasavan, 2023 Goodstarter of the Year, outlines her love of ECEC

Centre Director Ranjitha Prema Vasavan won both the 2023 Goodstarter of the Year (VIC East) and National Goodstarter of the Year accolades, with judges commenting on her extraordinary mentoring and guidance as standout leadership qualities. 

 

In her role as Director with Goodstart Endeavour Hills, Barnsley Drive, Ms Vasavan actively creates community opportunities, and forges open and trusting relationships. She is valued by her centre and community, bringing resilience to her role even on the most challenging days.

 

In the piece below, we learn more about Ms Vasavan, what drew her to working with children and families, and some of the impact that winning both awards has had on her own professional journey, and that of her team. 

 

Extraordinary qualities

 

Ms Vasavan drew the attention of the judges for the following reasons: 

 

• extraordinary mentoring and guidance 
• strong relationships with families and the community 
• supporting best outcomes for children 
• taking the time to get to know her team, understand their goals, and nurturing their desire to succeed
• mentoring three new centre directors 

 

Moving into a Director role 

 

Ms Vasavan started working with Goodstart Early Learning in 2018 as a Senior Educator, an experience she said has been “nothing short of transformative.” 

 

“During my time at Goodstart Carrum Downs Frankston – Dandenong Road, I embraced each day as an opportunity to learn from my fellow Goodstarters, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement. From here I’ve taken on opportunities and moved into leadership roles (Health and Safety Champion and Healthy Achievement Officer) becoming Assistant Centre Director at Goodstart Hampton Park – Somerville Road in 2020. In this position I had the privilege of leading a team of passionate educators.”

 

From there, she applied for, and won, the role of Centre Director in 2021, which then led her to  her Centre Director role at Goodstart Rowville – Murrindal Drive and then to Goodstart Endeavour Hills, Barnsley Drive, where she dedicates her time to fostering a positive and nurturing environment for both her team and the children in her care. 

 

“In a new chapter of growth, I was given the opportunity to mentor new Centre Directors joining the Goodstart team,” she continued. 

 

“This experience not only allowed me to share my knowledge but also provided a platform for me to learn new skills in a different environment. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I continue to expand my knowledge while contributing to the onboarding and development of fellow Goodstart leaders. My journey, from a Senior Educator to a Centre Director, underscores the dynamic and supportive culture that defines Goodstart.”

 

Award winning trajectory 

 

Winning the Goodies award for Goodstarter of the Year, she said, “is truly an honour, and it holds great significance for me both personally and professionally.” 

 

“It’s an incredibly meaningful achievement for me. It’s a validation of the passion and dedication I bring to my role as the Centre Director at Goodstart Early Learning. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our team and the positive impact we strive to make in the lives of children and families in our community.”

 

“This award isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a celebration of the entire team’s hard work and our shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of the children we care for. It inspires us to continue our mission of providing high quality early learning experiences and fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere within our Centre.”

 

For Ms Vasavan, her work is more than a job, it’s a calling. 

 

“The opportunity to contribute to the future of these young learners, to create a positive impact in our community, and to continuously strive for excellence in early childhood education is what makes this role so fulfilling for me,” she said. 

 

“I am genuinely grateful for the chance to be part of this inspiring journey at Goodstart Early Learning.”

 

Learn more about the Goodies Awards here.