Skip to main navigation Skip to content

Celebrating 15 years of impact

For 15 years we’ve put purpose before profit – reinvesting every dollar we’ve earned into improving outcomes for children. 

Our story began in 2010 when four of Australia's leading charities turned crisis into opportunity. From the collapse of for-profit ABC Learning came Goodstart Early Learning – a not-for-profit with a bold vision: to give every child in Australia the best possible start in life. 

We’ve made a real impact for Australia’s children, families and communities – and we’re just getting started. 

All early learning makes a difference - but at Goodstart, we go further. See how...

154 million +

child attendances in our high quality early learning, kindergarten and preschool programs

99%

of Goodstart centres meet or exceed the National Quality Standard - our quality is sector-leading

$5.30

Social return for every $1 invested in our social purpose - proving our impact on children, families and communities across Australia

3x more

Children supported with additional needs - we're for giving every child the best start and ensuring no one misses out

Our Goodstart story

Play video

Purpose in action: Our impact at a glance  

$378 million

Social and economic value generated in 2024 - Goodstart's social dividend

1 in 3 centres

Located in low-income or regional communities - helping ensure no child misses out on vital early learning

25+

Government submissions made in the past year to help shape early learning policy

6+

Major research partnerships and collaborations active in 2024 - to improve Australia's evidence base and deliver better child outcomes

100%

Centres on their reconciliation journey with Reconciliation Australia's Narragunnawali

Discover more

Download a fact sheet to learn more about our impact over the past year


15 years

Turn back time with us

2009 - A crisis and an opportunity  

Late in 2009, in response to one of Australia's largest corporate collapses, four charities unite to purchase 678 ABC Learning centres.

2010 - A new era begins  

Goodstart launches with a not-for-profit mission: to give every child the best possible start in life. 

2011 - Our first strategy  

We launch our first 5-year strategy, focused on quality, inclusion and financial stability – setting the foundation for impact.  

2012 - Backing our people  

$8.5M invested to upskill over 1,000 educators as we prepare for new national quality standards. 

2013 - Quality matters

Significant progress is made in improving early learning quality in our centres, and Goodstart delivers a $30 million surplus – much of it reinvested into educator development, social inclusion and research, to keep improving child outcomes.

2014 - Every dollar reinvested in quality  

Goodstart repays all outstanding external debt ahead of schedule – allowing more funds to be reinvested directly into quality and inclusion.  

2015 - People, Influence and Evidence  

Our second strategy adds new pillars – People, Influence and Evidence – and we open our first purpose-built centre in Melbourne Central – La Trobe Street.

2016 - Advocacy that delivers  

We launch the Goodstart Practice Guide and are part of a sector push which helped secure $3B in federal government funding.  

2017 - Maturing with purpose

In our seventh year, Goodstart deepened its impact – embedding our Practice Guide, expanding its flagship social inclusion program Family Connections, and investing in upgrades across 400 centres, with 92% meeting or exceeding national quality standard.

2018 - Innovation for families 

We lead the sector introducing flexible early learning session options to improve accessibility and meet families’ changing needs.  

2019 - Purpose in action  

23 early learning centres operated by Mission Australia become part of the Goodstart family centres, securing long-term early learning access for vulnerable children and communities.  

2020 - We’re all smiles for Big Fat Smile   

Two of Australia’s leading not-for-profit early learning and care providers join forces with a merger bringing Big Fat Smile under the umbrella of the wider Goodstart Family.  

2021 - Quality uplift continues  

Our drive to improve our quality continues, with the introduction of the world class Environmental Rating Scales, to a Birth to 3-year-old Framework, quality uplift is evident across the Goodstart network – reaching all-time high of 98% of centres meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standard.  

2022 - Measuring our impact  

All quality early learning makes a difference, and at Goodstart – we deliver even more impact for children, families and communities. In a sector first, an independent study by Social Ventures Australia shows Goodstart delivers a $5.50 in social return for every $1 invested.  

2024 - Walking the talk on reconciliation   

We launch our third RAP and second expanded Stretch RAP, with all centres actively on their RAP journey with Narragunnawali.  

2025 - Our most ambitious chapter yet  

We launch our new 5-year strategy, focused on Inclusion, Quality, People, and Advocacy – and a future where no child misses out.  

People

The change-makers who make the difference

From our founders and early supporters to our educators, Elders, thought leaders, families and children – every voice has helped shape our 15-year journey. 

Meet some of the incredible Goodstarters who make every moment count — and the people behind the scenes who help drive change across our organisation and in communities around Australia. 

Read our foundation story

Short stories

Sonya’s story

Sonya has been part of the Browns Plains community for nearly 20 years. She’s seen Goodstart grow from the collapse of ABC Learning into a purpose-driven organisation changing lives through early learning.

Read Sonya’s story

Krystle’s story

Krystle says Goodstart is unlike anywhere she’s worked. “We’re not driven by profit. We’re driven by what’s best for children. That changes everything – the decisions, the investment, the feeling of purpose across the team.”

Read Krystle’s story

Spotlight

People Behind Goodstart

Each month, meet some of the people who've stood with us - helping shape our 15-year journey and impact.

The late Dr Charles E. Pascal 

In 2014, Charles became the founding Chair of Goodstart’s Thought Leaders Group – bringing together leading academics and changemakers from across Australia, Canada, the UK, the US and Europe. 

With passion, integrity and a deep commitment to children, Charles helped create a powerful network that continues to influence early learning practice and policy – supporting our mission to give every child the best possible start. 

Read more

Purpose

We're for children; not-for-profit

The first five years shape everything that follows. Yet too many children miss out on the early learning they need to thrive. At Goodstart, we exist to change that. 

As Australia’s largest not-for-profit early learning provider, we reinvest every dollar into what matters most: 

  • Lifting quality through evidence-based practice and professional development for educators and teachers
  • Delivering social inclusion programs and allied health services for children needing extra support 
  • Investing in research and evidence to understand what makes the biggest difference to children
  • Creating inclusive, safe and nurturing environments where every child is supported and feels a strong sense of belonging
  • Collaborating with government, researchers and community partners to influence early learning policy to improve affordability, accessibility and improve participation rates, particularly for children experiencing vulnerability.

We know that investing early delivers a lifetime of return – for children, families and the nation. When children start strong, they stay strong – and no child should be left behind. 

Download resources 

Feature story: How inclusive early learning benefits everyone

Roxanna has achondroplasia and when she started her early learning at Goodstart Ringwood her parents had concerns about their daughter 'fitting in'. But what happened next is an amazing example of how every child can thrive when a strategy of inclusion is adopted. 

Play video

Fast fact: 8.3% - more than 7,590 children at Goodstart last year – were supported with a diagnosed disability or developmental delay.

Possibilities

Our next chapter starts now

At Goodstart, we believe in every child’s potential – and we’re working to unlock that potential in every child. As a not-for-profit with purpose at our core, we push boundaries, lift quality and challenge systems that leave children behind. 

Over the next five years, we’re doubling down on what matters most: 

  • High quality, inclusive early learning
  • Empowered educators and leaders 
  • Partnerships and policies that build a fairer early learning system
  • Reaching the communities too often forgotten.

Because a child’s future should never be defined by their postcode or circumstance.  

We’re not just imagining what’s possible – we’re making it real. 

Get to know us and our future ambitions  

Behind the strategy: In conversation

Step inside the thinking that’s shaping Goodstart’s next chapter. In this feature — and others to come – we speak with the leaders driving our purpose forward. First up: Myra Geddes, General Manager of Social Impact, on the big reforms, bold ambitions and why inclusion is the next frontier.

Read interview

Our commitments  

As we look to what’s next these commitments guide us. They reflect who we are, what we stand for and the actions we’re taking. 

Discover more about us… 

Featured news

See all news articles
Goodstart Live Chat