28 Years of Experience in Childcare Management, Regulatory & Funding Requirements
28 Years Experience in Childcare Management Providing Commercial Solutions to Childcare Businesses Throughout Australia.
Building lasting relationships through engagement, integrity, and experience.
Early Learning Management (ELM) has spent more than 28 years providing solutions to childcare owners, educators, and operators in Australia. ELM consists of seasoned childcare experts who understand the unique challenges faced by those involved in the Australian Childcare Industry.
Our National Operations Managers are recognised for their multitude of childcare service engagements in every state and territory. The team have obtained numerous certifications and had training across the full spectrum of the Australian standards. Our team has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide you with quality and a commercial outcome. The team offers you excellent support throughout the process of building, managing and improving your childcare business.
Early Learning Management understands modern childcare businesses require expertise in a broad range of specialisations. Early Learning Management offers practical deliverables and unparalleled expertise to ensure that our clients and partners will get the best building process assistance, management services, and consultation. We can tailor our solutions to meet your specific business needs and goals.
John Hutchison, Operations / Technical Specialist
28 years of experience in the childcare industry
John brings his experience, childcare management exposure, marketing and strategy skills, and digital knowledge to his Early Learning Management role. John’s experience spans the broader childcare sector and brings a balanced approach with a strong strategic capability and thought leadership to the team. John has specialised experience in childcare restructures, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, equity raisings and initial public offerings (IPO).
Rebecca Hutchison, Finance Manager / Director
Over 10 years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting.
Rebecca Hutchison is Finance Manager at Early Learning Management with 10+ years experience in bookkeeping and accounting in the childcare industry. Rebecca was instrumental in reducing budgets through strategic plan development and implementation for an ASX listed company. As a Finance Specialist, Rebecca is in control of budgets, financial reporting and overall expenditures. She holds a Certificate IV in both Accounting and Bookkeeping from the Australian Institute of Financial Services & Accounting. Bec is also a registered BAS Agent.
Naomi Freney, Office Manager / Personal Assistant
Administrative support to head office & coordinates/provides support for all professional staff.
Naomi functions effectively in a variety of roles within a dynamic environment. Naomi has a strong understanding of the childcare industry and is active in supporting a small office & clients across Australia.
Cait Warren, Operations Manager
Children’s rights advocate and leader in the early childhood sector who is passionate about children’s engagement in learning.
A committed, innovative leader, who coaches and mentors educators to practice in a way that engages children in learning by using change management strategies to achieve continuous quality improvement in a user-friendly, logical and detailed manner.
Within Education Cait specialises in Early Childhood and Primary Years; with expertise in Teaching, Management and Consultant/Advisory positions including initial grassroots work collaborating on the transformation of the Preschool Framework and curriculum for Education Queensland into the new Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), and the Queensland Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines (QKCG).
Jenna Dawes, Senior Bookkeeper
Jenna has over 9 years’ experience in financial-based roles and 5.5 years’ experience in an office managerial role which have included all the aspects which you require for the role. Jenna has a Certificate 4 in Financial Services as well as a Certificate 3 in Business Administration. Within all the roles Jenna has worked; she has gained excellent skills and knowledge across a wide breadth of accounting principles.
Jack Hutchison, Finance Officer
Responsible for providing effective and efficient financial and administrative services.
Jack is relatively new to the childcare industry but has a strong understanding of Xero and developing an in-depth knowledge of organisational products and process. Jack is focused on outcomes, problem-solving and strong communication.
Sandi Fern, Senior Operations Manager
Over 21 years of experience working and delivering positive commercial outcomes across the Early Childhood Industry.
Sandi joined the Early Learning Management team in July 2010 bringing vast experience to the Operations Team. Sandi has overseen service operations in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. Aligning her knowledge from the private and corporate sectors, Sandi has implemented strategies to enhance overall business structures in various services to ensure quality practices are maintained, and the business is commercially successful. Sandi has extensive experience in multi-site management and possesses a strong business acumen.
Sandi provides effective leadership and management guidance and support to staff and the key stakeholders.
Leanne Matthews, Finance Officer/ Payroll
Over 11 years experience in bookkeeping and 25 years experience in payroll.
Leanne Matthews is Finance Officer / Payroll for Early Learning Management with 11+ years of bookkeeping and 25+ years of payroll experience. Leanne manages financial reporting, accounts payable and receivables including reconciliation of bank accounts, client payrolls and BAS / IAS preparation. In addition to holding a Certificate IV in Financial Services from the Australian Institute of Financial Services & Accounting, Leanne is also a registered BAS Agent.
Leanne drives continuous improvements, identifying opportunities to consolidate, automate and gain process efficiencies for the team and key stakeholders.
Leonie Shears, Operations Manager
Over 20 years of experience in the Early Education and Care Industry.
Leonie Shears joined Early Learning Management in September 2018 and has been involved with privately owned services and corporate companies. Leonie has worked in the Early Education and Care industry for over 20 years. Starting out as an Assistant Float and working in all positions within a service environment has provided Leonie with an understanding of the importance of building strong, positive staff cultures as the basis for a competitive and successful business.
Leonie provides ongoing support, mentoring, administration and business management and guidance to ensure that services are continually evolving in line with industry standards.
Transforming opportunities into real business and investments through meticulous analysis.
ELM specialises in childcare management, childcare consultancy and advisory and childcare development. We take pride in our team of experts with over 28 years of childcare experience. We will help you build a successful business so that you can provide better service and education program to children in your care. Find out how our services work.


