We’re for children, not profit
At Goodstart, we believe in the power of early learning—and we make every moment count for the children attending our centres. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, we exist to create positive social change by ensuring Australia’s children, especially the most vulnerable, have access to high-quality early learning.
Over the past 15 years, we’ve proudly invested in Australia’s future giving Australia’s children, especially our most vulnerable, the best possible start in life through access to high quality early learning.
Goodstart was founded by a partnership of four of Australia’s leading charities—The Benevolent Society, The Brotherhood of St Laurence, Mission Australia, and Social Ventures Australia—who shared a vision for a better future for children. They recognised that a child’s earliest experiences shape the rest of their life.
Today, Goodstart is Australia’s largest provider of early learning and care and Australia’s largest non-government provider of preschool and kindergarten programs. We have 16,000 employees, and support more than 61,000 children from 51,000 families across our 653 centres we every year, with nearly one-third of our centres located in rural and regional areas, and close to one-third in low socio-economic communities.
What We Stand For
Goodstart was founded with a clear vision: for Australia’s children to have the best possible start in life.
Our Purpose
To ensure children have the learning, development, and wellbeing outcomes they need for school and life.
Our Guiding Principles
Our people are what set us apart. Guided by our principles – children are central to everything we do; our people make the difference; families are our primary partners; and we are a valued part of each unique community – our teams are inspired to raise the bar in early learning during the years that matter most—the first five.
Our Progress Is Remarkable
We're proud of our remarkable progress over the past 15 years, investing in Australia's future, our children. Access our Annual Reports on the website to read about our impact.
Our 2025–2029 Strategic Direction
Our strategy for the next five years brings to life what we value most as an organisation—and where we’re headed. It sets out our shared goals and the path to achieving them together.
Watch our Strategy Animation
Take a moment with your team to watch the animation and reflect on how it connects with your daily work.