Our Founder
Sion Westcott-Lewis
Managing Director
University of Newcastle Masters Degree of Management Enterprise – MME (McDonald’s sponsored)
Postgraduate Certificate of Management Operations – GCMO (McDonald’s sponsored)
Sion is an accomplished businessman with a long career in senior management positions spanning over 25 years with the following organisations:
• McDonalds – Operations Consultant
• Coca Cola Amatil – NSW Logistics Manager
• Woolworths – National Manager Transport Development
• Diageo – National Manager Logistics
• Snackbrands – Supply Chain Manager ANZ
Sion holds a Masters Of Management Enterprise Degree and is an experienced business owner with a track record of franchising with Civic Video, Oporto Chicken and Sumo Salad franchises. Previously a major shareholder in Learning and Education Australia which owned and operated 12 childcare centres in Victoria and NSW to his current position as a successful owner/operator of the Creative Early Learning Group.
Sion has an extensive background in childcare and early learning since 2008. Previously as a major shareholder in Learning and Education Australia which owned and operated 12 childcare centres in Victoria and NSW to his current position as a successful owner/operator of the Creative Early Learning Group.
The Creative Early Learning Group was established in 2019 and is a family owned and operated business with a focus on assisting families on preparing their children transition to school and embracing the Early Years Framework.
The group owned successful centres in Victoria and understand the educational requirements needed within the state regulations. They sold the centres to focus on expanding the Creative Kids Childcare group. The most recent was the purchase of 2 centres in Bundaberg and Bargara which he owns and operates as Creative Kids Early Learning which are established, successful centres.
Recently securing a turnkey lease for a brand new, beautifully designed, single level, 80-place early learning centre development in an outstanding location, with great exposure in Toowoomba, scheduled to open in 2024. Providing further evidence of his strong future focus and commitment to grow the Creative Kids group and establish a portfolio of successful, high quality centres in regional and suburban high growth locations with strong demographics and growing demand for childcare.
Their aim is to provide quality care and education with carefully selected highly qualified staff, supporting their development and career growth to ensure the happiness and stability of their caring staff. He is dedicated to building strong relationships within the community and provide a curriculum that is structured to ensure the balance of care and early education is nurtured from the earliest age to ease the transition into formal schooling.
Sion and his wife Jodie have 4 boys and Sion is actively involved with his family and community. Sion was the Vice President of the Rouse Hill Rhino’s Junior Rugby League club for many years and was responsible for the club sponsorship with major sponsors this year being McDonald’s Rouse Hill, Channel 9 and The Footy Show. He has helped many charities, organising fund raising events for Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Organisation, The Starlight Foundation and The Variety Club.
Previous Childcare Experience
Creative Early Learning Centres Established a new childcare business in 2019, leasing two brand new childcare centres in Melbourne.
Alpina Street ELC opened in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Initially the centres struggled with low occupancy due to Covid lockdowns in Melbourne but despite these challenges, the occupancy grew. Alpina Street was a brand new, purpose build centre with capacity for 138 children per day.
Learning and Education Australia Pty Ltd Learning and Education (LEA) was established in 2009 when ABC Childcare Centres went into administration. From 2008 Sion was an integral part and shareholder in the acquisition of 11 childcare centres in Sydney and Melbourne. Over 6 years LEA bought and sold a number of centers and increased the revenue across the group from $7.6mil p.a. to over $14mil p.a. It was eventually sold in 2014 to Think Childcare through an IPO and listed on the ASX as Think Childcare Limited.
Major achievements within the role:
• Increased revenue from $7.6 million to $14 million pa
• Raised average occupancy to 82% across the group, from just over 50% at the time of purchase
• Turned around loss-making centres and made profitable
• Local Centre marketing campaigns and introduction of ‘free days’
• Developed a highly effective team with strong Directors in each centre
Previous Business Experience
Oporto Carlingford Franchisee
In 2003 Sion and his wife purchased a franchise that was in financial stress. The store was in the bottom tier for QSC, sales and profit in the Oporto group. After 12 months of trading they were awarded with ‘Most Improved Average Cheque’ and ‘Most Improved Sales’ at the National conference. They then looked to expand within the Oporto group, however, site
selection was not commercially viable for most opportunities that were available. In 2009 they decided to sell the business to focus on childcare opportunities.
Major achievements:
• Improved sales from $730k per annum to $1.1m per annum
• PBF improved from a loss to $160k per annum
• Renegotiated lease for further 7 years with GPT
• Approved for multi-store operator (based on site selection criteria)
Civic Video Werrington NSW Franchisee
In 2002 Sion and his wife Jodie opened a Civic Video franchise. This was a new store and Sion and Jodie recruited and trained all of the new staff. The business was a key success story for Civic Video and the original projections for sales were exceeded from the opening day. The store was sold at the peak of the DVD rental market prior to the significant downturn
in the industry.
Major achievements:
• Excellent lease terms negotiated
• Exceeded store budget from opening day
• Excellent staff morale
• DVD ‘turns’ better than group average
Professional Career Details
Snackbrands Australia
Logistics and Planning Manager Oceania – Directly responsible for the planning and logistics functions across Australia and New Zealand for Snackbrands Australia and Griffins Foods. Involving the strategic direction and merging of the 2 businesses.
National Planning and Logistics Manager (Supply Chain Manager) – Directly responsible for all aspects of Snackbrands Australia and The Real McCoy’s demand and supply planning, manufacturing, customer service, warehousing and transport nationally.
Diageo Australia
National Distribution Manager – Directly responsible for all aspects of Diageo’s warehousing and transport nationally including negotiation of 3PL contracts and delivery rates and management for DC and Transport operations and logistics budget of $35mil per annum
Woolworth’s Limited
National Planning & Implementation Manager – Directly responsible for the implementation of the new Fixed and Variable transport model Nationally for Woolworth’s.
Coca Cola Amatil (Aust) Pty Ltd
NSW Distribution Manager – Directly responsible for the distribution of CCA’s products to all customers within NSW. Management of 3rd party distribution contractors, 2 regional warehouse operations and distribution team within NSW. The responsibilities involved managing a delivery budget in excess of $35 million and over 100 route vehicles. Including the line haul to various regional locations and also 2 ‘pick to zero’ warehouse operations within NSW. This was a key role in the supply of CCA’s products to its customers.
McDonald’s Australia
Various roles from restaurant Manager to McOpCo Operations Consultant. Directly responsible for the Sales and Operations of a group of stores across Sydney.
