Rise & Shine Kindergarten celebrates successful launch of LEAP (F15) following landmark Singapore leadership experience

Rise & Shine Kindergarten has proudly launched LEAP (F15), a transformative three-year leadership pathway designed to develop the next generation of early childhood leaders as the organisation works towards its 15-year anniversary in 2029.

Building on the success of the Leadership Excellence Advancing Program (LEAP), now entering its fifth year, LEAP (F15) has been created for Directors and aspiring leaders seeking world-class professional learning, meaningful leadership experiences, and opportunities to broaden their impact within the organisation and the wider early childhood sector.

The inaugural LEAP (F15) experience saw a group of Rise & Shine leaders travel to Singapore, becoming the first Australian early childhood education organisation to undertake leadership training through REACH Singapore. Over three immersive days, participants engaged with internationally recognised leadership experts, explored innovative educational practices, and connected with like-minded professionals from across the region.

For many participants, the experience was both professionally transformative and personally inspiring.

Debbie, Curriculum and Practice Manager, reflected on the profound impact of the conference.

"Singapore was truly a once-in-a-career experience. Some of the biggest takeaways for me were the importance of connection before correction and creating a culture of care. Education is not preparation for life, it is life itself, so we hold such an important role."

Stefania, Director at Carlton, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the value of investing in people and leadership development.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with such an incredible group of leaders. After 12 years with Rise & Shine, experiences like this remind me how special it is to be part of a company that continually invests in and believes in its people. I feel inspired, grateful, and proud to be part of the Rise & Shine family."

Jennifer Weston, Group Head of Operations and Culture, said the success of the Singapore experience reinforced the organisation's commitment to investing in its people.

"The Singapore experience exceeded every expectation. Watching our leaders immerse themselves in world-class professional learning, challenge their thinking, and return inspired to lead was incredibly rewarding. This investment reflects our belief that exceptional leadership creates exceptional outcomes for children, families, and our communities.

"Being the first Australian early childhood education organisation to undertake REACH leadership training in Singapore was a proud moment for our team. The experience reinforced our commitment to innovation, continuous growth, and creating opportunities that empower our leaders to thrive both professionally and personally."

Throughout the program, participants were exposed to cutting-edge pedagogy, innovative leadership frameworks, and global perspectives that will influence practice across Rise & Shine centres for years to come. Our leaders also participated in resilience training, which was an opportunity for them to recognise that caring for others begins with caring for themselves. Leadership is both rewarding and demanding and taking time to build resilience helps our leaders manage challenges, support their teams, and lead with confidence and compassion.

The experience fostered collaboration, strengthened relationships, and ignited new thinking around leadership, culture, and educational excellence.

LEAP (F15) has been intentionally designed as a three-year journey, with each year building on the learning and momentum of the last.

2026 – Singapore
The program commenced with an international leadership conference and immersive professional development experience through REACH Singapore.

2027 – Melbourne
The second year of LEAP (F15) will be hosted in Melbourne and will mark a significant milestone for the program, with Assistant Directors and 2ICs joining for the first time. This expansion will create even greater leadership opportunities and strengthen capability across the organisation.

2028 – International Destination
The program will culminate with a second international leadership experience, bringing participants together to celebrate both the completion of their LEAP (F15) journey and Rise & Shine's 15-year anniversary.

Complementing this leadership pathway is Rise & Shine's Crew Lifestyle Incentive Program (CLIP), which continues to recognise and reward outstanding performance. Team members who complete 10 years of service are also offered the opportunity to participate in this worldclass professional development and conference experience, with several recipients joining the Singapore delegation and sharing in this landmark opportunity.

Participants in LEAP (F15) benefit from:

• A future-focused leadership development pathway for Directors and aspiring leaders
• Exclusive access to international professional learning experiences that strengthen pedagogical theory and practice.
• Engagement with leading educational thinkers and global best practice
• Unique cultural, networking, and team-building opportunities
• A structured three-year journey aligned with Rise & Shine's 15-year anniversary celebrations
• Opportunities for CLIP Level 10 achievers to participate in international leadership experiences

As Rise & Shine Kindergarten continues to grow and innovate, LEAP (F15) represents a bold investment in the future of the organisation and the extraordinary people who make it possible. Following the overwhelming success of Singapore, the organisation now looks ahead to Melbourne in 2027 and another international destination in 2028 as it continues to develop confident, capable, and future-focused leaders who will shape the next chapter of Rise & Shine's story.