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Mai Xeng (Sara) Thao, who goes by Sara, has been at Goodstart since June 2018. She is a senior educator in Nursery at Goodstart Cairns, the centre's food safety supervisor, first aid officer, safety champion, and 3IC.
Born and raised in nearby Innisfail, Sara moved to Cairns at 17 to study, build her career in education and meet new people. Now she and her family thrive in the abundance of life Cairns has to offer.
A hub for endless adventure, Cairns is home to Queensland's highest mountain and sits close to the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island and Fitzroy Island. Locals can even hop on a boat for a sunset dinner cruise – something Sara has enjoyed many times.
And did you know? Goodstart offers real career growth for early learning educators. We're hiring across Regional QLD, with many open roles in Cairns, from cooks to directors, allied health professionals and more.
Learn more about life and early childhood careers in Cairns from Sara – in her own words:
A mum's passion for early childhood education
Sara with colleague Julieta. The passionate senior educator lives an exciting outdoorsy life while building a meaningful career at Goodstart Cairns
As a single mother of two amazing boys, I've learned many ways to support myself. I wanted to grow my knowledge so I could give my children the best start in life – and that inspired me to study and become an educator.
I began my career in early childhood education with Goodstart Cairns as casual staff before being offered a permanent role. In that short time, I was inspired by the creativity and dedication of the team, so when I was asked to join, I was ecstatic.
Learning about child development and the National Quality Areas and Framework has opened many doors for me. I've stepped into roles I never thought possible and built confidence in myself as an educator and a mother.
I've had the chance to collaborate with sister centres and amazing educators across our network.
While there have been challenges, each has taught me something new about my role, myself, and what I can offer to children, families and my team.
I'm now studying for my diploma and continuing my professional development to create even more opportunities for growth. Every day is a new adventure, and I'm proud to be part of Goodstart Cairns.
Supportive workplace and professional growth in Regional QLD
Pictured with a colleague - part of Sara's team, who she calls family
At Goodstart Cairns, I have ongoing opportunities to learn, improve and advance my career.
Our centre celebrates diversity and inclusion – children's sense of identity, wellbeing and belonging, as well as our team's.
We're a multicultural family where every individual has something unique to share.
Our different perspectives strengthen our connections and relationships. Everyone's voice matters.
The leadership team is supportive and understanding; we see each other more as family than colleagues.
We're passionate, dedicated and creative, always focused on what's best for the children, families and the team. I especially value our Key Educator approach and Circle of Security work.
One of my proudest career highlights was serving as Educational Leader. I developed strategies that helped my team feel valued and appreciated in their roles. Supporting them to grow more confident made me feel proud, too.
Fulfilling life and career opportunities in Cairns
I love working and living in Cairns. Our centre is on a busy main road near the airport, surrounded by diverse local businesses that reflect our vibrant community.
Cairns embraces its multicultural population and has an incredible food scene, with Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Mexican and many more restaurants and grocers.
Some of my favourite spots are Ah Room on Lake Street for cakes and sweets, Little Sister on the Esplanade for beautiful dishes, and Dundee's on the waterfront for great food with a view.
The heart of Cairns is always buzzing with life, especially at night or during the holiday season. The city also has a thriving arts scene, with galleries, festivals and classes showcasing Indigenous and contemporary creativity.
There are cultural events throughout the year – from the Japanese Bon Dance Festival to community markets featuring talented local entrepreneurs.
Sunrise over Trinity Beach, which is right next to a rainforest
Crystal Cascades - one of the many stunning tropical waterfalls easily accessible from Cairns CBD
My family and I embrace the outdoors, too. I love how close the rainforest and mountains are to the beaches – each with its own unique charm, from Palm Cove to Trinity, Kewarra and Ellis Beach.
Nearby natural wonders include the Macalister Range and Bellenden Ker Range, which is home to Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest peak.
I enjoy exploring hidden gems like the botanic gardens, Goomboora Park, Muddy's Playground, Fig Tree Playground, and the many waterfalls – Crystal Cascades, Fairy Falls, Josephine Falls, Stoney Creek and Isabella Falls.
