In this episode, we speak with Joanne Oakman from Save Our Service to address the staffing crisis affecting the early childcare sector.
Our Expert Joanne Oakman
Joanne Oakman is a passionate and experienced early childhood education professional with over 20 years in the sector. From her beginnings as a room leader to leadership roles with KU Children’s Services, YMCA NSW, Only About Children, Oxanda Education, and now as Client Business Manager at Save Our Service, Joanne has worked across a range of settings including long day care and vacation care, in both not-for-profit and private organisations. Known for her ability to turn around struggling centres, she thrives on new challenges and is committed to delivering quality care and support to children, families, and educators. With a strong background in recruitment and operations, Joanne brings a people-first approach, combining empathy, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the early learning landscape.
About Save Our Service
Save Our Service (SOS) is a leading Australian childcare recruitment agency, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Ryde, NSW. They provide seamless staffing solutions to childcare centres across NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and WA, offering casual, permanent, part‑time, and emergency relief educators through their innovative app and online portal. With a “People First” philosophy, SOS prioritizes educator support—offering professional development, mentorship, and thorough vetting—to ensure high-caliber personnel who integrate smoothly into services. Their platform enables 24/7 shift management, rapid responses, online timesheets, and performance feedback tools for both educators and employers . Additionally, SOS engages in social responsibility initiatives, such as supporting The Infants’ Home and contributing to fundraising efforts.
In this episode we cover:
- Recruitment challenges in early childcare education
- Addressing educator burnout
- Flexible employment for educators
- Future of ECE: AI and workforce planning
A sneak peek inside the episode:
"Retention is key. Centres need to invest in their educators' well-being now to see long-term stability. I hope the sector shifts from being reactive to proactive—planning ahead instead of responding after the fact."
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