Affinity Education Group has announced the promotion of Dr Lesley Jones from Head of Education to Chief Compliance and Quality Officer.
Dr Jones has been an integral part of Affinity Education Group since joining in 2019 as an Education Consultant, following a range of senior leadership roles during more than 35 years in the early education and care sector.
Her initial role quickly developed into a key leadership position overseeing a national team of Education Advisors – 75% of whom hold Masters degrees in education related fields – who provide unprecedented expertise, in-centre coaching, mentoring, and Professional Development for Affinity’s teachers and educators.
Under her direction, Affinity launched an ongoing program of Communities of Practice in 2020 which continues to operate, and in 2021 introduced a recognised role for Senior Educational Leaders to provide expertise and support within local clusters of centres.
In congratulating Dr Jones on her promotion, CEO Tim Hickey said her positive influence to date on Affinity as a company is unique and deeply appreciated.
“Lesley’s biggest impact has been in the development, launch and implementation of Affinity’s Lifelong Learning Curriculum, Australia’s most advanced approach to early education and delivering the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF),” Mr Hickey said.
“She’s an outstanding leader who finds common ground with everyone in our business, motivating them to elevate their outcomes.”
“I look forward to seeing her take us ‘above and beyond’ with this new opportunity.”
In the new role, Dr Jones will be responsible for overseeing the ongoing focus around safety, compliance and quality outcomes in more than 230 centres nationally.
“This is such an exciting opportunity to continue to influence our people to strive for excellence for the benefit of children who attend our centres,” Dr Jones said.
“I must admit, the invitation to take up the role came just as I was considering partial retirement, however the chance to continue advocating for educators and children from a slightly different lens to my education role was too good to pass up.”
“Being part of Affinity Education Group is the absolute highlight of my career so far.”
A respected academic, Dr Jones completed her PhD in educator practice and capacity to intentionally teach social competence to children in 2016. She heads up the Affinity Education Advisory Board which includes the University of Wollongong, Early Start Australia, and Industry Graduates.