How to become a childcare centre manager

Is this career a good fit for you?

You might thrive as a childcare centre manager if you:

• Care about helping children get the best start in life

• Enjoy leading and supporting others

• Stay organised and calm when things get busy

• Communicate clearly with different people

• Like creating safe, inclusive environments

• Are comfortable juggling people, processes and responsibilities

What does a childcare centre manager do?

Childcare centre managers oversee the daily operations of an early learning centre. They support educators, maintain safe learning environments, and ensure the service meets national quality and safety standards.

Daily tasks

Childcare centre managers typically:

• Plan and oversee learning programs and activities that support children’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive development

• Lead, support and supervise educators and other staff members within the centre

• Ensure the centre complies with government regulations, licensing requirements and quality standards

• Communicate with parents about their child’s development, wellbeing and behaviour

• Manage administrative duties such as budgeting, enrolments, staffing and record keeping

• Maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for children, staff and visitors

• Order supplies and manage resources needed for the day-to-day running of the centre

• Oversee the care and wellbeing of children attending the service

How to become a childcare centre manager in Australia

There’s no single pathway into this role, but most professionals begin their career as early childhood educators before moving into leadership positions.

Step 1: Complete an early childhood qualification

To become a childcare centre manager, you’ll need an ACECQA-approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or higher early childhood qualification.

Step 2: Gain experience in an entry level-role

Start as an early childhood educator. Over time, you may progress into room leader or coordinator roles, where you supervise other educators and help manage the day-to-day running of a centre.

Some professionals complete a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and become an early childhood teacher, building leadership experience through curriculum and program delivery.

Step 3: Consider postgraduate study

To step into centre leadership, you may choose to complete a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership or another course in postgraduate educational leadership, though this isn't compulsory.

Combined with industry experience, this can prepare you to oversee staff, programs and operations.

Salary, career progression and job demand

The average childcare centre manager salary in Australia

Childcare centre managers earn a median weekly income of $1,983 in Australia. Pay typically increases with experience, qualifications, and the size of the centre you manage.

By comparison, early childhood educators (child carers) earn a median weekly income of $1,341, while early childhood teachers with a bachelor degree earn around $1,906.

As a centre manager, you take on greater responsibility. You’ll lead educators and teachers, oversee daily operations, and coordinate with families, suppliers and contractors to keep the centre running smoothly.

Career pathways for childcare centre managers

With experience, childcare centre managers can move into broader leadership or specialist roles across the sector. Further study, such as a postgraduate qualification in educational leadership, can help you progress into roles such as:

• Area or operations manager – Oversee multiple early learning centres for a provider.

• Educational leader or consultant – Support educators and improve teaching practices across services.

• Government or regulatory roles – Help assess quality standards or contribute to early childhood policy.

• Approved provider or centre owner – Open or operate your own childcare service.

Is there a demand for childcare centre managers in Australia?

Demand for childcare centre managers is moderate across Australia. There are around 17,200 people employed in these roles nationally.

While management roles make up a smaller part of the workforce, childcare centres still need experienced leaders to manage staff, support quality care and oversee daily operations.

The broader early childhood education and care sector has much higher demand, which means studying in this area can lead to a range of career opportunities, not just childcare centre management.

Accreditation and professional bodies

Childcare centre managers work within a regulated sector, so it’s important to understand the standards that shape service quality, staffing and safety in early childhood education and care.

These professional organisations can support your career and keep you informed:

• Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority 
  The ACECQA helps you understand the National Quality Framework, which sets the standards for early childhood education and care services in Australia.

• Early Childhood Australia
  ECA offers professional learning, resources and industry insights to support your development as an early childhood leader.

• Australian Childcare Alliance
  ACA represents childcare providers and offers advocacy, resources and sector updates to support best practice across early learning services.

Related careers

You may also want to consider these careers in the education and care sector:

• Early childhood educator – Often the starting point for this career path. Educators usually hold a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and work directly with children to support their learning and development.

• Early childhood teacher – A role focused on leading learning programs for young children. This position typically requires a bachelor degree in early childhood education and is a common step before progressing into centre leadership roles.

• Primary school teacher – If you’d prefer teaching school-aged children in a classroom environment, this role involves delivering the primary curriculum. It requires a bachelor degree in primary education and teacher registration.

• Education advisor or manager – A broader leadership role focused on guiding education programs, staff development, or organisational strategy across services or institutions.

^{Sources (accurate as of March 2026):}

^{* The Australian Government's Jobs and Skills website - Child Care Centre Managers
** The Australian Government skills priority list}

Step up your career with these resources

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