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Aspire Early Education: Leading with heart, protecting with purpose
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Fiona Alston
Sep 23, 2025
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At Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten, the wellbeing of children, families, and educators sits at the centre of everything they do. More than a provider of early learning, Aspire is a values-driven organisation committed to creating safe, enriching environments where every child can thrive and every educator can shine.
From the nursery rooms to the 4-year-old kindergarten programs, Aspire is guided by a warm, inclusive and community-minded approach. Their philosophy, Aspire to Connect, Aspire to Learn, Aspire to Grow, drives every interaction and reflects their belief in strong, authentic partnerships. Going beyond education, Aspire is committed to nurturing a sense of belonging, supporting families, and fostering connections that extend well into the wider community.As Kylie Bartlett, Aspire’s Head of Operations, shares: “Aspire isn’t just a name, it’s a promise. Everything we do, from our daily operations to our community engagement, reflects the values we live by. We’re here to support, to grow, and to lead with integrity.” Families are welcomed as partners in learning, and our centres reflect the unique communities they serve.
Aspire believes that children learn best in environments where they feel safe, supported and seen. That’s why their educators take time to build deep relationships with children and families, creating calm, consistent, nurturing spaces that promote connection, curiosity and confidence.
All educators are attuned to each child’s strengths, interests and learning style. This enables them to deliver responsive, play-based learning experiences that are meaningful and empowering, whether a child is exploring their first friendships or preparing to transition into formal schooling. Children are seen as capable and active participants in their own learning journey.
Championing Child Safety with Action and Accountability
Aspire is proud to be a sector leader in child safety, taking a proactive, reflective and community-informed approach to meeting and embedding the 11 Child Safe Standards. Aspire is committed, consultative and continually improving.
Child safety at Aspire is not just a policy, it’s a lived commitment woven into everyday practice. Through collaboration, reflection, and transparency, Aspire ensures that safeguarding is more than compliance. From rigorous recruitment and ongoing staff training to age-appropriate programs that build children’s awareness, confidence, and voice, every element of their approach is designed to protect and empower.
This commitment extends beyond their centres. They actively collaborate with families and engage children in conversations that build trust, respect, and a shared culture of care. Regular reflection and review ensure that child safety remains dynamic, responsive, and consistently prioritised across the organisation.
By fostering transparency and open dialogue, Aspire builds environments where children feel secure, respected, and valued. Their approach is anchored in collaboration, trust, and responsibility, ensuring that every child is supported to thrive in a safe and empowering community.
Empowering Aspire Employees
Aspire’s "Empower to Excellence" initiative is more than professional development, it’s a recognition and investment in people. Angelin Perera, Head of Curriculum at Aspire Clyde north, reflects: “The Empower to Excellence program gave me the confidence to step into leadership. I felt supported every step of the way, and now I get to mentor others on their journey. It’s more than professional development, it’s personal growth too.” Aspire selects and supports team members who demonstrate ethical practice, a commitment to quality, and a desire to grow to be part of the Empower to Excellence program through structured career progression pathways, Aspire:
- Encourages emerging leaders to step into new roles
- Provides compliance and leadership training
- Offers tailored mentoring for educators, room leaders and managers
This commitment to growth is supported by their vibrant internal learning culture and mentoring networks, which build confidence, capacity and connection among their teams. Aspire celebrates excellence and works with educators to explore their passions, whether that’s leadership, curriculum design or inclusive practice.
In addition, Aspire operates a unique internal casual educator pool, reducing reliance on external staffing. This approach supports:
- Familiarity and continuity for children and families
- Confidence and cohesion within educator teams
- High standards through rigorous internal vetting and onboarding
Because Aspire’s casual educators are part of the community, they understand the children, uphold Aspire’s values, and contribute meaningfully to the learning environment.
A Strong and Supported Workforce
Aspire’s people are their greatest strength, backed by a dedicated Support Office and operational leadership team that work hand-in-hand with centres. This includes:
- Operations & Leadership – Area Managers with focused portfolios, allowing them to spend more time in each centre and provide tailored, hands-on support.
- People, Quality & Safety – Talent Acquisition, People Advisory, Training & Development, Quality, Compliance, and Workplace Health & Safety, ensuring the right people, guidance, and safe, consistent practices.
- Business & Centre Support – Customer Support, Marketing, and Finance, providing practical backing so centre teams can focus on children and families.
With this strong foundation, centre teams are empowered to prioritise what matters most, nurturing children, supporting families, and delivering exceptional learning experiences.
Aspire takes an inclusive approach to Talent Acquisition, focusing on creating opportunities for all educators to grow and thrive within welcoming, respectful teams.
Dilek Senturk, Head of People and Talent, explains: “For us, Talent Acquisition isn’t just about filling roles, it’s about finding people who share our values. From day one, we invest in building relationships and supporting career growth, which is why our teams remain strong and engaged. Our internal casual pool and regular pulse checks also help us maintain quality and stability across our centres.”
Every team member is encouraged to contribute to decision-making and participate in committees that drive quality, innovation, and improvement. Aspire is proud to be an employer of choice, a place where people feel valued, supported, and connected to their purpose.
The organisation’s reputation as a trusted provider is built on the dedication, skill, and heart of its people. Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten is not just a name, but a promise to communities, families, children, and educators alike.
Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or behind the scenes, Aspire’s people are shaping futures every day and Aspire is with them every step of the way.
To learn more about programs or explore career opportunities, visit Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten and discover where your journey could begin.
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