Sehrish Lalani (Nikki)
Melbourne
Summary
Transformative leader with over a decade of strategic experience in the early childhood education sector. Drive operational excellence and foster high-performing teams. Renowned for a people-centric approach, seamlessly blending visionary leadership with hands-on expertise in elevating service standards, navigating regulatory frameworks, and cultivating collaborative environments that prioritize child development, staff engagement, and stakeholder satisfaction. Passionate about nurturing talent, optimizing processes, and delivering impactful, innovative solutions.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Manager
One Tree Community Services
10.2022 - 04.2024
- Spearheaded a diverse portfolio of Long Day Care (LDC), sessional, and integrated services across metropolitan and rural regions, driving operational performance and profitability
- Mentored and managed teams in both metropolitan and regional areas, maximizing occupancy rates through strategic initiatives and optimized labor management
- Conducted site visits to assess performance, providing guidance and ensuring high administrative standards
- Collaborated with Centre Directors and teaching teams to implement improvements, enhancing service quality and financial outcomes
- Achieved significant profitability increases through effective resource allocation and focus on occupancy growth
- Fostered a culture of recognition and collaboration among teams, resulting in improved staff engagement and reduced turnover
- Managed recruitment, onboarding, and professional development, empowering teams to exceed service objectives
- Resolved escalated family complaints, maintaining positive relationships with parents and stakeholders
- Oversaw budgets and financial records, analyzing P&L reports and managing debts in collaboration with finance teams
- Partnered with marketing teams to implement strategies that boosted enrollment and community visibility
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by liaising with government agencies and aligning operations with industry benchmarks
- Established and maintained operational standards for multiple locations.
Nominated Supervisor/Centre Manager
Happy Valley ELC
10.2021 - 09.2022
- Led the creation of a purpose-built early learning center, establishing a culture of excellence and compliance
- Orchestrated team-building strategies and professional development initiatives to enhance staff performance
- Successfully opened and managed the center, ensuring seamless operations and high standards of care
Nominated Supervisor
Goodstart Early Learning
05.2020 - 08.2021
- Steered a large, multidisciplinary team across a 110-place facility, focusing on service quality and stakeholder engagement
- Drove recruitment and performance initiatives that improved staff cohesion and retention
- Increased enrollments through targeted marketing and strengthened community connections
Service Activation/ Centre Director
Launchpad ELC
12.2019 - 02.2020
- Pioneered setup and launch of 124-place early learning center, embedding compliance and operational rigor from day one
Centre Director / Educational Leader
Discovery Childcare and Education
11.2016 - 11.2019
- Oversaw one of the region's largest childcare centers, managing operations, staff leadership, and community outreach
- Led a team of 52, built relationships with families, and organized inclusive community events
- Hosted panel discussions with early childhood students from international training tours
Centre Director
Discovery Childcare & Preschool
11.2014 - 07.2016
- Managed a 92-place service, focusing on program development, regulatory compliance, and financial management
Assistant Director
Discovery Childcare & Preschool
07.2012 - 10.2014
- Served as a 3-year-old kinder room leader, contributing to the service's operations and educational programs
Team Leader
Discovery Childcare and Education
02.2011 - 07.2012
- Led a toddler team, managing 32 children in a large room setting
- Planning and establishing rich learning environments
- Communication with families and other stakeholders
- Collaborating with other team leaders and participating in service goals
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
- Assisted in recruitment to build team of top performers.
- Maintained overall safe work environment with employee training programs and enforcement of safety procedures.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.
Education
Bachelor in Early Childhood Education
Melbourne, VICDiploma in Children's Services -
Certificate III in Children's Services - undefined
Melbourne, VICCertificate IV in Training and Assessment -
ACG GLOBAL COLLEGE
Melbourne, VIC02.2022
Skills
- STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
- TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- PUBLIC SPEAKING
- THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- MARKETING STRATEGIES
- EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM
- PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- COMPLIANCE EXPERTISE
- NQS
- ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
- ANAPHYLAXIS MANAGEMENT
- ADVANCED SOFTWARE PROFICIENCY
- SMART CENTRAL
- XPLOR LINKS
Accomplishments
- Provided strategic leadership to a workforce of over 150 team members, driving operational excellence and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Engaged in strategic collaborations with councils, youth services, and government bodies to deliver impactful, funded initiatives, achieving outcomes that advanced stakeholder interests and enriched community well-being.
Languages
ENGLISH
Interests
I thrive on setting ambitious goals and guiding others to achieve their best through mentoring and coaching Crafting dynamic business plans and innovative marketing strategies excites me, but what truly inspires me is making a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives and creating opportunities for meaningful success
Timeline
Regional Manager
One Tree Community Services
10.2022 - 04.2024
Nominated Supervisor/Centre Manager
Happy Valley ELC
10.2021 - 09.2022
Nominated Supervisor
Goodstart Early Learning
05.2020 - 08.2021
Service Activation/ Centre Director
Launchpad ELC
12.2019 - 02.2020
Centre Director / Educational Leader
Discovery Childcare and Education
11.2016 - 11.2019
Centre Director
Discovery Childcare & Preschool
11.2014 - 07.2016
Assistant Director
Discovery Childcare & Preschool
07.2012 - 10.2014
Team Leader
Discovery Childcare and Education
02.2011 - 07.2012
Certificate III in Children's Services - undefined
Bachelor in Early Childhood Education
Diploma in Children's Services -
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment -
ACG GLOBAL COLLEGE
Similar Profiles
Anita McMahonAnita McMahon
Childcare Assistant at One Tree Community ServicesChildcare Assistant at One Tree Community Services
Lorraine HingstonLorraine Hingston
Food Coordinator at One Tree Community ServicesFood Coordinator at One Tree Community Services
Rebecca JayneRebecca Jayne
Early Childhood Educator/Room Leader at One Tree Community ServicesEarly Childhood Educator/Room Leader at One Tree Community Services