Bree White named Affinity Education Group’s Best Centre Manager 

Milestones Early Learning Emerald Beach Centre Manager Bree White was named Affinity Education Group’s Best Centre Manager late in 2024, something she described as “a genuine surprise.”

“There are so many amazing Centre Managers within Affinity, I was surprised to be nominated as the State Finalist,” she said. 

“To be announced as the National Winner in the Best Centre Manager category was just amazing – I am very proud of our centre and team.”

Multiple judging elements were considered when announcing her win, including her centre’s record of Quality, Safety & Compliance, Educational Outcomes for children and business operation. 

“Bree is an outstanding and highly regarded Affinity Centre Manager with an incredible reputation for running a high-quality centre with a long waiting list from local families,”  NSW State Manager Tori Robinson said.

“Although she is a quiet achiever, we were very proud to see Affinity announce her as the Best Centre Manager nationally.” 

A proud Coffs Harbour local, Bree’s 20-year career in early education commenced in Melbourne as an after-school junior.  

“There were so few policies and procedures back then, but I loved it straight away and have stayed in the sector ever since,” she said. 

After a ‘spontaneous move’ to the warmer weather of Noosa, New South Wales, she completed her Diploma and then managed to qualify as an Early Childhood Teacher in 2013 while working full time as a preschool teacher in Inverell. 

For family and lifestyle reasons, she relocated to Coffs Harbour in 2014, where she was working for a private childcare provider when Affinity Education Group acquired her Emerald Beach based centre in 2021. 

“Working for a provider as large as Affinity was not something I expected but the benefits for our centre and for my own career have been amazing,” Bree said. 

“Affinity’s Operations Manager and State Manager are incredible women who I admire and who take the time to visit and support me in our centre.” 

Her passion for mentoring and leadership has been fostered by Affinity, and during 2025, she has accepted a temporary career progression step to Area Manager, supporting her sister centres Milestones Early Learning North Boambee, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga and South Grafton. 

To read the original coverage of this story please see here.