Debbie McGregor
The Vines ,WA
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Child Australia, excelling in community development and compliance. Expert in risk management and staff sustainability strategies, I successfully enhanced early childhood education programs and cultivated partnerships, driving significant improvements in service quality and operational efficiency.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director Excellence
Child Australia
Perth, WA
09.2024 - 10.2025
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance early childhood education programs.
- Developed partnerships with community organizations to support children's welfare.
- Oversaw budget planning and resource allocation for multiple programs.
- Implemented staff training sessions to improve service delivery standards.
- Advocated for policy changes to promote child development and well-being.
- Coordinated outreach efforts to increase community engagement and awareness.
- Guided management teams in operational decision-making processes.
- Evaluated program effectiveness and recommended improvements for services offered.
- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders, including board members, donors, sponsors, partners, and community leaders.
- Developed training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
- Collaborated with department heads to identify professional development needs.
- Led workshops and seminars to promote continuous learning initiatives.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through feedback and assessments.
- Managed budgets for training activities and resources effectively.
- Mentored staff on career advancement and skill enhancement opportunities.
- Established partnerships with external organizations for resource sharing and training.
- Evaluated current policies and procedures related to professional development activities.
- Conducted training sessions to increase organizational effectiveness.
- Analyzed feedback from participants regarding their experience with the training program.
- Researched best practices in the field of professional development.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws when designing and delivering training programs.
- Led project planning and execution across multiple teams and departments.
- Coordinated project schedules and resources to meet deliverable timelines.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders to ensure project alignment.
- Implemented process improvements to streamline project workflows effectively.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify potential project challenges early on.
- Organized training sessions on project management best practices for staff.
- Provided daily updates to project managers, foremen and contractors on safety behaviors and operational enhancements.
Area Manager
Insight Early Learning
Perth, Western Australia
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Reduce Outstanding Compliance notifications with ECRU to 0% across my cohort
- Lead and mentor Centre Managers
- Prepare services for Assessment and Rating
- Project Management with stakeholders
- Procurement for business development
- Policy and Procedure writing
- Develop a sense of ownership of business with staff and local communities.
- Financial management inclusive of budget creation
- Roll out service software and manage associated training
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple early learning centers.
- Developed training programs for staff to enhance service quality.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations and safety standards.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to shape organizational direction and priorities.
Area Manager - maternity cover
G8 Education
Perth, Western Australia
04.2023 - 08.2024
- Oversee daily management of the service
- Developed rapport with staff focusing on building team strength
- Focus on compliant practice and reduction of reporting to ECRU
- Ensuring practices are embedded through role modelling
- Complaints and resolution of grievance in accordance with centre policy
- Manage centre debt and budgets in accordance with procedure
- HR aspects onboarding and facilitating staff training
Centre Manager
Insight Early Learning
Kelmscott, Western Australia
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the service offering support to the Centre managers with leadership in regards to the management of service and the building of teams
- Create a succession plan for all staff to ensure a stable and committed staff
- Put the service on a path to meeting Exceeding themes by training and managing staff to best practice and getting the centre off the Waiver for Diploma staff - goal met in December 2022
- Implement and review all procedures and the centre integrating new systems where necessary and ensure compliance
- Maintained no breaches despite monitoring from ECRU
- Developed a significantly diverse but qualified team motivated to ensure high-quality practices
- Continuing to grow in reputation and recognition from families
Area Manager
Affinity Education Group
Perth, Western Australia
05.2021 - 09.2022
- Oversee the day-to-day management of 8 centres in the regional and metro area of Affinity Education Group. This involves the training and mentoring of Centre Managers in the leadership of their teams and the business outcomes
- Management of budgets
- Support teams with compliance and Quality results to achieve a meeting rating and where possible to reach the exceeding themes
- Marketing as per requirement of the company
- Liaising with stakeholders
- Built strong teams to ensure sustainability
Manager
Kids Inn
Dalyellup, Western Australia
12.2011 - 05.2021
- Management of the OSHC Kids Inn to identify issues with occupancy, program, and staffing
- Creation of a business plan to address identified issues and implement improvements
- Building rapport with the community and establishing a positive reputation
- Averaging 15–25 children attending daily with 100% occupancy achieved through term and vacation periods
- Promotion to manager of both services after successful results, then sold to Affinity Education Group
- Following Affinity Education Group Job Description and Policies and Procedures
- Maintaining excellent service management rating and high occupancy levels
- Leadership responsibilities sourcing staff for remote locations
Regional Manager
Vassallo Corporation
Perth, Western Australia
03.2009 - 11.2009
- Led regional teams to implement operational strategies and enhance performance.
- Managed inventory control processes to streamline supply chain efficiency.
- Coordinated training programs for staff to improve service standards and compliance.
- Oversaw budget management and financial planning for regional operations.
- Implemented quality control measures to ensure customer satisfaction and safety standards.
- Established goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and standards of performance for all personnel in the region.
HR and Accounts Manager
GMC Tree Services
Bunbury, Western Australia
07.2008 - 03.2009
- Managed client accounts and maintained strong customer relationships.
- Coordinated billing and invoicing processes for timely payments.
- Oversaw project schedules and resource allocation for tree service operations.
Area Manager
ABC
Regional Western Australia
02.2005 - 05.2008
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple early learning centers.
- Developed training programs for staff to enhance service quality.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations and safety standards.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for center managers.
- Facilitated monthly meetings to discuss operational challenges and solutions.
- Managed budgets and resource allocation for effective financial planning.
Area Manager
Peppercorn Management
Regional Western Australia
08.2003 - 08.2004
Owner and Manager
Bunbury Childcare Centre
Bunbury, Western Australia
03.1998 - 08.2003
Centre Director
Jay Bees Childcare
Bunbury, Western Australia
07.1995 - 03.1998
Head Teacher
Huntly Free Kindergarten
Cnifka, New Zealand
02.1995 - 07.1995
Nursery and Reception Teacher
Castle Hill Primary
London, United Kingdom
07.1992 - 10.1994
Head Teacher
Ettrick Place Kindergarten
, New Zealand
02.1991 - 07.1992
Education
Certificate 3 in Business Management -
Industry Graduates
Perth, Western Australia12.2021
Frontline Business Management -
AIM Australian Institute of Management
Melbourne, Perth, Australia12.2016
Diploma of Teaching - Early Childhood Education
Waikato University
Hamilton, New Zealand12.1989
Kindergarten Diploma -
Hamilton Teachers College
Hamilton, New Zealand12.1989
Bachelor of Education -
Waikato University
Hamilton, New Zealand12.1989
Skills
- Due diligence and quality assurance
- Risk management and compliance
- Safety culture
- Community development
- Human resources functions
- Business acumen and procurement
- Staff sustainability strategies
- Policy and procedure development
- Pedagogy and technology integration
- Communication skills (EYLF and NQS)
- Professional development and appraisals
- Project implementation strategies
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Policy writing
- Budget management
- Operational planning
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
- Business administration
- Financial administration
- Human resources management
References
- Renee Lambeth, Business Partner G8 WA and South Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 0452 408 276
- Nina Wildgrube, Practice and Pedagogy Manager Insight Early Learning, NSW, 0449 011 051, nina.1.wildgrube@gmail.com
Timeline
Executive Director Excellence
Child Australia
09.2024 - 10.2025
Area Manager
Insight Early Learning
05.2024 - 08.2024
Area Manager - maternity cover
G8 Education
04.2023 - 08.2024
Centre Manager
Insight Early Learning
10.2022 - 04.2023
Area Manager
Affinity Education Group
05.2021 - 09.2022
Manager
Kids Inn
12.2011 - 05.2021
Regional Manager
Vassallo Corporation
03.2009 - 11.2009
HR and Accounts Manager
GMC Tree Services
07.2008 - 03.2009
Area Manager
ABC
02.2005 - 05.2008
Area Manager
Peppercorn Management
08.2003 - 08.2004
Owner and Manager
Bunbury Childcare Centre
03.1998 - 08.2003
Centre Director
Jay Bees Childcare
07.1995 - 03.1998
Head Teacher
Huntly Free Kindergarten
02.1995 - 07.1995
Nursery and Reception Teacher
Castle Hill Primary
07.1992 - 10.1994
Head Teacher
Ettrick Place Kindergarten
02.1991 - 07.1992
Certificate 3 in Business Management -
Industry Graduates
Frontline Business Management -
AIM Australian Institute of Management
Diploma of Teaching - Early Childhood Education
Waikato University
Kindergarten Diploma -
Hamilton Teachers College
Bachelor of Education -
Waikato University