Explorers Early Learning launches sector-first Future Leaders Program to tackle leadership gap

Explorers Early Learning has launched a program designed to create leadership pathways for women currently within or returning to the early childhood education and care sector.

The sector is built by women, who comprise 97 per cent of the workforce. Yet at executive and senior leadership levels, decision-makers are too often not the women who built it.

Explorers creates the structures women need within its core business, including above industry average pay and comprehensive career development. It’s now extending that with this program.

"While we’re proud that almost 90% of our executive team are women, there is always more work to be done. Women built this sector, it’s our job to continue to build them up in return," says Lynda Salvo, CEO of Explorers Early Learning.

The provider pioneered employee shareholding in the sector and has developed an industry leading educational training experience featuring yearly trips to Italy, home of Reggio Emilia pedagogy. This year 15 employees will parktake.

The Future Leaders Program extends this commitment, establishing another industry first.

The Future Leaders Program

The program is an ongoing initiative designed to invest in and elevate the next generation of early learning leaders.

It’s open to educators, whether employed at Explorers or elsewhere, career changers, and mothers returning to the workforce.

As part of the program, Explorers will host a virtual leadership series commencing in late April. The series will feature insights from an ex-Google senior leadership speaker alongside key sector voices. It will be followed by an exclusive in-person Somerville Summit later this year.

With a limited number of places available, the Somerville experience will bring emerging leaders together in a transformational setting.

The program is offered entirely free, reflecting Explorers’ commitment to developing leadership capability across the sector.

Explorers Somerville

Hosted at Explorers Somerville, a nature-based learning precinct and a destination where children connect with nature and learn through exploration and play.

Somerville is open as a bush kinder excursion destination for children from nine surrounding centres,  and opens as a full time kindergarten offering 100 placements for 3-4 year olds in July.

Learn more about the Future Leadership Program, head to explorers.com.au.