Be Compliant Brilliant at the Basics - Regulatory compliance
Be
Supporting ECE leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand to lead with confidence, build brilliant businesses, and create services where tamariki thrive.
At Astute Education, we partner with early childhood education leaders, managers, and centre owners across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We help you lay the strongest foundations for your service—because excellence starts with getting the basics right.
Be Compliant.
Be Confident.
Navigating regulatory requirements can feel overwhelming. We guide you through ECE compliance, ensuring your centre meets all standards with confidence and ease.
Ready to simplify compliance?
Let’s make your centre audit-ready — without the stress.
Be Organised.
Be Efficient.
Great systems create thriving centres. We help you embed clear, effective processes that support smooth daily operations and long-term success.
Want smoother days and stronger systems?
Let’s streamline your centre with practical, proven processes.
How We Help You Grow
Whether you're starting out or stepping up, our services are designed to support every stage of your journey in early childhood education. From personalised consultancy to hands-on workshops and strategic guidance, we’re here to help you lead with confidence and clarity.
Be a Leader.
Be Your Best.
Leadership in early childhood education is more than just management—it’s about inspiring people and creating impact. We empower you with the knowledge and tools to lead with clarity and purpose.
Ready to lead with purpose?
Unlock your leadership potential in ECE with the support and tools to succeed.
Be Reflective.
Be Ready to Grow.
Whether you need professional learning, an expert eye to solve challenges, or an evaluation of your organisation, we bring fresh insights and practical solutions to help you move forward.
Looking for fresh insight and direction?
Let’s work together to strengthen your practice and unlock new potential.
Explore how we support, empower, and grow the ECE sector.
Whether you're here to learn about our services, meet the team behind Astute Education, or access helpful tools and insights — you're in the right place.
Access practical tools, insights, and templates to support your ECE journey.
Empowering Leaders. Strengthening Centres. Transforming Communities.
Ready to take the next step?
1000+ Happy Clients
"Astute Education gave me the confidence and clarity I needed to step into my leadership role. Their support was practical, thoughtful, and exactly what I needed."
— Emma R., Centre Manager
“As a new and inexperienced start-up centre we required guidance on a number of policies, appraisal and mentoring. We were introduced to Astute Education through some MOE professional development, and we quickly realised that we could hire them as an independent consultant advisory and mentoring service for our business. We have not looked back. “We meet regularly to discuss any new developments in the industry, or to gain some advice when we need a second opinion with tackling a problem. They made our first year in business a breeze, saved us a lot of time due to their own ECE centre experience, and frankly we would highly recommend their services...”
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Rowena Harper, Fountain City Montessori
"We recently built a large new Centre and Astute Education have been our key support all the way. From consultancy on identifying a location, preparing financial forecasting that met our banks funding requirements, feedback on our build design, sharing their network of sector contacts, provision of best practice policies and procedures, assistance with the recruitment of our Centre Manager, MoE licensing advice, facilitating owner/manager sector training workshops we attended alongside others and providing on-site consultancy after we opened..."
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Stephen Darby, Gumboots & Grasshoppers Childcare & Learning Centre
"We setup YoungWorld Childcare Centre in November 2017. It has been a huge success largely due to the expertise and experience that Astute Education was able to impart at the time, which otherwise could have been a very stressful and tedious process. Gavin has been instrumental in almost all aspects of starting the centre. What has most impressed me about Astute is the high quality of advice and recommendations they impart from the onset, which is priceless..."
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Rahul Dixit, Young World Childcare Centre
"I recently engaged Gavin Hazelden’s consultancy services to assist me with Due Diligence, when I purchased a new centre. Although I have been a childcare centre owner for the last five years, I didn’t feel 100% confident to complete the Due Diligence on my own.
Being a multiple centre owner himself, Gavin was extremely knowledgeable about MOE requirements, Sale and Purchase agreements, leases, financials and market knowledge..."
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Poppies Kindergarten
"I just wanted to express our appreciation for putting us in touch with Gavin Hazelden at Astute Education and for steering us towards actions that would ensure greater financial sustainability . Gavin undertook an excellent analysis process and delivered a Report that was of a very high standard. We have been negotiating with staff and now have got agreement to significantly restructure our Early Childhood operation and ensure its financial viability. The quality of analysis and practical recommendations supplied by Gavin was a key component to these successful changes."
Bruce Maden, Te Aroha Noa
"Astute have been of phenomenal value to our Centre, supporting us through a change of leadership. Not only did Astute ensure the Centre’s high standards were maintained during this transition, but also took the opportunity to make efficiency enhancements to our practices. Astute have also been priceless in assisting us to establish a new Centre, providing consultancy to navigate regulation, suppliers, floorplan etc."
Josh Newton, Life Childcare
"The Managers appreciate Joanna’s warm, positive and supportive advice. They know it is grounded in best practice and wide experience, as well as with a heart for what is best for children, families and learning communities. Good luck and best wishes."
Patricia Radich, Sunshine Childcare
"We hired Jo from Astute Education to help us prepare for our up and coming ERO review. Jo made sense and was all about making it as easy as possible. We now have a deeper understanding of the requirements and documentation needed and feel confident going forward to do this ourselves. We would highly recommend Jo’s services and plan on using her in the future."
Emily Murch, Red Robin Nanny Agency
"Christian Savings and our clients have worked with Astute Education on a number of different projects ranging in size and scope. We have found them personable, helpful and a reliable source for independent advice. We appreciate that they have first-hand experience in owning, operating and advising on early education centres and this gives them a unique advantage when helping us or our clients. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services."
Dan Mazengarb, Senior Lender, Christian Savings
"Gavin has managed to make an extremely complex situation exceptionally easy. He is not only knowledgeable on all aspects of Childcare but exceptionally supportive and guiding at the same time. Gavin always makes you feel as if you are his most important client which is truly appreciated. I highly recommend Gavin for any business requirements you may need."
Lynn MacGillivray, Birkenhead Point Montessori Pre-school
