Kim Freckelton
Copacabana,NSW
Summary
I have proven skills in strategic decision-making. My advanced problem-solving skills allow me to think on my feet and proactively find solutions to complex issues. I act with professional integrity and courage to lead positive change
I am organised and dependable, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. I have a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
I have been fortunate in my career to have worked in many roles including, Regional Manager, Area Manager, Centre Manager, Practice Lead, Lead Coach and Acting Head of Early Learning.
Having worked across this range of roles has enabled me to develop an effective and individualised leadership style. I am focused on seeking continuous self-improvement, being technically and tactically proficient, seeking and taking responsibility and setting an example.
I work hard to ensure that I know the people I lead, and look out for their welfare. I strive to keep people adequately informed to ensure that organisational goals and strategies are understood and accomplished.
My industry knowledge, creativity and innovation enable me to improve current work practices and processes to encourage new ideas and support the implementation of improved service models.
I thrive in roles that enable me to lead, mentor and stretch and grow my leadership capabilities.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acting Head of Early Learning
Uniting Early Learning
03.2024 - Current
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Work effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Work well in team settings, providing support and guidance.
- Assist with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Use critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Strengthen communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Demonstrate strong organisational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Manage and motivate employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Improve performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Communicate clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
- Monitor and analyse business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments.
- Realigning departmental goals and develop and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Review of budgets, ensuring more efficient financial performance.
- Work to reduce operational costs through more comprehensive process, including improvement initiatives and resource management.
- Facilitate successful cross-functional collaborations for completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
- Streamline workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Lead change management initiatives to drive organisational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Drive operational efficiency through data-driven decision-making processes, leveraging analytics tools for informed strategy development and a deeper shared understanding of key drivers.
- Re-establish team priorities, maintained schedules and realign position descriptions to monitor and drive performance.
- Evaluate employee performance and convey constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Define clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Cultivate positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Practice Operations Lead
Uniting Early Learning
05.2023 - Current
- Support Head of Early Learning to ensure culture of continual improvement, focusing on evidence-based practice and transparent and accountable culture
- Support delivery of quality early learning across multi-model service types, including Preschool, Centre Based (Long Day Care), Occasional Care and Out of School Aged Care (OSHC) across geographically dispersed regions of NSW and ACT
- Facilitate connection between government and regulatory bodies, and wider Uniting Organisation
- Leading, guiding and evaluating effectiveness of Practice Team for continuous improvement within service delivery model
- Leading with passion to create and inspire shared purpose to make difference to educational outcomes of children and develop love of learning in future
- Monitor and evaluate systems success and adapt, pivot or change as required
- Setting organisational quality goals to align and support annual budget allocations
- Contribute to developing, implementing, and reviewing Uniting Policies and Procedures that underpin service practice, creating safe and nurturing environments for children
- Supporting Area Manager Team and Nominated Supervisors to coordinate and respond to all complaints and incidents in close consultation with Uniting’s Governance Risk and Quality team
- Liaison and communication with Office of Children’s Guardian and Department of Education
- Remain abreast of government ECEC Policy requirements and initiate strategies and training to strengthen service delivery within early learning settings
- Align budget planning to develop structured professional learning calendar including annual Early Learning Conference, Bi-Monthly Service Leaders Meetings and Educational Leader Forums
- Lead creation of training and learning resources to drive quality and continuous improvement and inspire educators to provide high quality education and care for young children.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Fostered positive work environment by promoting open communication, teamwork, and employee engagement.
- Conducted regular performance assessments, providing constructive feedback and identifying areas for growth and development among team members.
- Planned operations and activities, and led projects.
- Ensured strict compliance with industry regulations, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant guidelines and best practices.
- Created programs and circulated internal resources to enhance workers' technical and safety standards knowledge, according to regulatory and organizational expectations.
- Evaluated team member performance and productivity, provided feedback and implemented corrective actions.
- Enforced regulatory and company policy compliance to improve workplace and employee safety and readiness.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
Coaching Lead
Goodstart Early Learning
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Supporting assigned cohort of Centre Directors across varying geographical areas to be empowered, informed, innovative, adaptive and accountable leaders
- Supporting Centre Director’s continual improvement and progress with quality outcomes, KPI monitoring support and Centre budgets to ensure financial sustainability across networks
- Lead role - acting with professional integrity as ‘home base’ leader for in-state coach team
- Acting as trusted sounding board, supporting team’s professional reflection, inquiry, direction and goal setting
- Systems line manager and performance management responsibilities for Centre Performance Coaches in NSW/ACT
- Support development of Centre Directors holding themselves accountable to exceed National Quality Standards (NQS) and organisational standards and ambitious goals as defined in 2025 strategy
- Assist Centre Directors to self-identify focus areas for performance uplift aligned with targets and plans agreed by State Manager
- Deliver coaching via combination of virtual and in-person sessions to achieve best efficiencies and impact where it is most needed
- Ensure Centre Directors have active and current Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) and/or Self-assessment tools (SAT’s) that reflect their chosen focus areas for performance uplift aligned with Centre targets and plans
- Inspire and motivate service leaders’ purpose to deliver quality early childhood education and care for children.
- Implemented standardized work procedures, ensuring consistency in operations while maximizing efficiency.
- Managed development and implementation of standard work documents, ensuring consistency in operations while maximizing efficiency.
- Trained staff on Lean methodologies, empowering employees to identify and address inefficiencies proactively.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for process improvement, driving operational excellence across organisation.
Practice Improvement Area Lead (PIAL)
Goodstart Early Learning
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Lift practice in centres through use of Environmental Rating Scales (ERS), national and state accredited Early Learning Frameworks such as Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standards (NQS)
- Demonstrate and apply expert knowledge of National Quality Framework (NQF) and contemporary Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) theory and practice
- Assess strengths and needs of early childhood education and care practice in Centres and develop action plans with Centre Leadership Team, Area Managers and Performance Leads to address practice needs
- Review outcomes and effectiveness of practice interventions to improve service quality
- Deliver high quality coaching, mentoring and professional development to improve quality of their Centre practice uplift support based on sector best practice and individual Centre needs
- Guidance, mentoring and training for educators in relation to National Quality Framework, NQS, EYLF, EL policies and EL regulatory and legislative requirements.
- Develop strong relationships with clients, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and repeat business.
- Analyse data to identify trends and opportunities for growth, driving strategic decision making.
Regional Manager
Goodstart Early Years
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Manage dual roles, Regional Manager and Family Support Manager in NSW and Queensland
- Managing multiple remote sites, in NSW, QLD & NT. Overseeing quality and compliance with policies and procedures, EYLF, NQS, NQF and Education and Care Services National Law and Regulation
- Mentoring, coaching, inspiring, guiding and challenging pedagogical practice to drive continuous improvement
- Coordination of Assessment and Rating draft report feedback with Centre Directors
- Performance Management and Appraisals
- Recruitment
- Oversee operational requirements, budgets, rostering and organisational strategic plan goals and objectives
- Regular liaison and collaboration with State and Territory Regulatory bodies and Department of Education
- Assist and support families through enrolment process including introductions to service, funding knowledge and support to access quality learning environments for their children
- Mentoring and guidance to Centre Managers
- Coach and manage Regional Managers in relation to quality and improvements
- Enhanced team performance by providing regular coaching, training, and performance feedback to staff members.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals.
- Guidance and mentoring for families in relation to National Quality Framework, NQS, EYLF, Queensland Kindergarten Funding, Child Care Subsidy, EL policies and EL regulatory and legislative requirements.
Regional Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
07.2017 - 12.2019
- Promote culture of continuous improvement through ongoing process reviews, employee engagement initiatives, and open channels of communication.
- Collaborate with executive leadership to establish long-term objectives, drive growth initiatives, and align regional efforts with corporate goals.
- Streamline operational processes for increased efficiency by identifying areas of improvement and implementing necessary changes.
- Supervise staff to optimize brand expansion initiatives and productivity.
- Work diligently to resolve unique and recurring complaints, promoting loyalty, and enhancing operations.
Family Support Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
10.2015 - 08.2019
- Develop and oversee Individual Case Management Support for 500 Australian Defence Force Families Nationally
- Create operating and record keeping systems for data reporting and monitoring success and continuation of service
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Monitoring success of placement, needs of various locations and Centre log for all areas across Australia
- Manage and respond to complaints and liaise with State and Territory Regulators as required for improved outcomes and to assist in driving continuous improvement
- Lead and create monthly reporting documents and present directly to Australian Defence Force
Centre Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
05.2009 - 10.2015
- Motivate Educators to quality outcomes and drive professional and personal growth and development for quality for children and families
- Manage, model and ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures
- Manage, guide and inspire EL team
- Advocate for children's rights at every opportunity
- Lead team during Assessment and Ratings process to achieve high quality results
- Monitor and evaluate child and family outcomes to assess satisfaction in meeting needs of each individual and implement strategies for continuous improvement
- Lead and guide continuing improvement to meet requirements of the national Quality Framework, EYLF, and Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- WHS risk management and compliance
- Develop and deliver training at Educator meetings
- Conduct performance appraisals with encouragement and counselling as required and identify staff training and development needs
- Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes to ensure a skilled workforce capable of meeting Centre objectives.
- Manage daily operations for optimal efficiency, resulting in improved revenue generation and higher customer retention rates.
- Check facility, employee work and service levels to maintain compliance with company and industry standards.
- Policy Review committee member.
Education
Certificate in Leadership -
ELACCA - Step Up To Leadership Training
Early Learning And Care Council Of Australia12.2024
Presentation & Public Speaking Mastery -
Toastmasters International
Erina, NSW10.2024
TAE40116 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
TAFE NSW
10.2020
Bachelor Of Teaching -
Charles Sturt University
12.2012
Diploma in Children's Services
TAFE NSW
Hunter Institute 12.1992
Skills
Dedicated and passionate ECEC professional
Able to develop professional, sustainable work relationships to maximise opportunities and organisational outcomes
Seek opportunity to share and transfer knowledge across broad networks
Ability to develop and review processes and procedures for positive business outcomes
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Collaboration with others to ensure best possible outcomes for a sustainable service delivery
Display respect and integrity in business dealings and am accountable for own actions Can present information and decisions clearly to ensure collaborative approaches are maintained
Positive work ethic and attitude
Promotes teamwork and collaboration
Customer service focused
Dependable and responsible
Certification
- NSW Working with Children Check, WWC1059827E, 07/15/26
- BOSTES – Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW Certificate of Accreditation, Teacher Proficiency, Current
References
References available upon request
Affiliations
- Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) Subcommittee Member
- Early Childhood Australia Member
- Accredited Early Childhood Teacher - The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA)
- Toastmasters International Member
Timeline
Acting Head of Early Learning
Uniting Early Learning
03.2024 - Current
Practice Operations Lead
Uniting Early Learning
05.2023 - Current
Coaching Lead
Goodstart Early Learning
10.2022 - 05.2023
Practice Improvement Area Lead (PIAL)
Goodstart Early Learning
10.2020 - 10.2022
Regional Manager
Goodstart Early Years
01.2020 - 10.2020
Regional Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
07.2017 - 12.2019
Family Support Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
10.2015 - 08.2019
Centre Manager
Mission Australia Early Learning
05.2009 - 10.2015
Certificate in Leadership -
ELACCA - Step Up To Leadership Training
Presentation & Public Speaking Mastery -
Toastmasters International
TAE40116 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
TAFE NSW
Bachelor Of Teaching -
Charles Sturt University
Diploma in Children's Services
TAFE NSW
- NSW Working with Children Check, WWC1059827E, 07/15/26
- BOSTES – Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW Certificate of Accreditation, Teacher Proficiency, Current
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