Community Ventures

What Community Ventures does

Community Ventures is a not-for-profit agency of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, incorporated as Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Limited (CDPSL) and established in August 2019 to extend the Diocese's pastoral outreach through community services. Operating under the Ambrose brand since October 2021, the organisation delivers early childhood education and care (ECEC) to families in Western Sydney, primarily serving children aged 2-13 across the Parramatta, Hills, Blacktown, Hawkesbury/Nepean and Blue Mountains regions. As of 2025, Community Ventures operates 55+ services co-located within 40+ Catholic primary schools, supported by a workforce of 500+ educators and an Executive team led by CEO Anthony Goonan.

The core service portfolio comprises four product lines: Ambrose Early Learning (preschool for ages 3-5, guided by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and Reggio Emilia practices), Ambrose School Age Care (before/after school care for years K-6), Ambrose Activities (extra-curricular masterclass programs), and Ambrose Vacation Care (school holiday programs using the My Time Our Place framework). Community Ventures is not a technology company — its operational infrastructure relies on the Xplor platform for CCS enrollment administration and government MyGov portals for subsidy processing. Notable capital investments include a $5 million purpose-built preschool at Good Shepherd Plumpton opened in March 2025, delivering 100 places for children aged 2-5 and representing the seventh preschool in the network.

The business model is multi-stream but operationally simple. The Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS) forms the revenue backbone, reducing eligible family out-of-pocket fees by up to 90%, complemented by the NSW Government's Start Strong program (up to $4,347/year savings for community preschool families). Remaining parent gap fees (approximately $10/session for before-school care and $14.50/session for after-school care after CCS rebates) fund operations alongside subsidies. As a registered charity with the ACNC and a company limited by guarantee governed by Trustees of the Diocese, any operating surplus is reinvested into the charitable mission of the Diocese rather than distributed to shareholders. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer within the captive audience of Catholic school families, with growth occurring organically through new service openings on additional school grounds across the Diocese.

Name

Community Ventures

Legal name

Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Limited

Website

https://cdpsl.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Community Ventures is a not-for-profit agency of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta that operates 55+ early childhood education and care services under the Ambrose brand, co-located across 40+ Western Sydney Catholic primary schools and serving families with children aged 2-13 years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Parramatta

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS): Ambrose services are registered childcare providers. Eligible families receive Child Care Subsidy from the Australian Government, which is paid weekly to the service, reducing the gap fee families pay. School Age Care and Vacation Care services are CCS-approved. Average out-of-pocket costs for families are reduced by up to 90% for eligible families through CCS.
2. NSW Start Strong Program Funding: NSW Government fee relief program providing weekly reductions in gap fees for preschool children aged 3-4. Community/traditional preschools receive up to $108.67/week savings; long day care services receive up to $43.48/week for 4-year-olds and $10.30/week for 3-year-olds, in addition to CCS.
3. Parent/Carer Fees: Parents pay gap fees after government subsidies. Average costs cited: approximately $10 per before-school care session and $14.50 per after-school care session (after average CCS rebate). Fees fund operations alongside government subsidies.
4. Social Enterprise Revenue: As a not-for-profit agency of the Diocese of Parramatta, surplus revenues from childcare operations generate reliable financial support for charitable works and the broader mission of the Church.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Ventures (CDPSL) is a not-for-profit agency of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta that delivers early childhood education and care services under the Ambrose brand across 40+ Western Sydney Catholic primary schools. Its portfolio includes Ambrose Early Learning (preschool for ages 3-5), Ambrose School Age Care (before and after school care for K-6), Ambrose Vacation Care (school holiday programs), and Ambrose Activities (extra-curricular masterclasses).

Product overview

Community Ventures operates under the trading name Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Limited (CDPSL), a not-for-profit agency providing early childhood education and care services through its Ambrose brand portfolio. The product suite comprises Ambrose Early Learning (preschool for ages 3-5), Ambrose School Age Care (before/after school hours care for K-6), Ambrose Activities (extra-curricular masterclass programs), and Ambrose Vacation Care (school holiday programs). Services are co-located within Catholic Primary Schools across Western Sydney's Parramatta, Hills, Blacktown, Hawkesbury/Nepean, and Blue Mountains regions. Community Ventures has grown from 25 to 55+ childcare services since 2019 and employs over 500 educators across more than 40 primary schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ambrose: Early childhood education and care brand offering Early Learning, School Age Care, and Vacation Care services for children from ages 3 to 13 years. Named after St. Ambrose (c. 340-397), Patron Saint of Learning and Beekeepers. Services are guided by Catholic values of Respect, Encouragement and Care.
• Ambrose Early Learning
• Ambrose School Age Care
• Ambrose Activities
• Ambrose Vacation Care

Products and services

• Ambrose Early Learning Preschool services for children aged 3 to 5, offering holistic learning journeys guided by the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia and Reggio Emilia practices. Services are co-located with Catholic Primary Schools and include school readiness preparation.
• Ambrose School Age Care Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) programs including before and after school care for children in school years K-6, providing safe, familiar environments within Catholic school grounds with diverse play-based activities.
• Ambrose Activities Extra-curricular activity program for Years K-6 offered at selected schools as an extension of the school curriculum, featuring Masterclasses led by school teachers and My Time Games facilitated by specialist educators.
• Ambrose Vacation Care Vacation care programs run during school holidays and pupil-free days for children in school years K-6, featuring themed activities, excursions, workshops, sport, and craft programs based on the My Time Our Place framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 90% fee reduction for eligible families through CCS on vacation care
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diocese of ParramattacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Community Ventures is the trading name of Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Services Limited (CDPSL), a not-for-profit agency of the Diocese of Parramatta. The Diocese established CDPSL in 2019 to expand its pastoral outreach through community services, including early childhood education and care.
• Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Ambrose operates in collaboration with CEDP, schools and parishes. Early learning and OSHC services are co-located with Catholic primary schools under CEDP. Community Ventures aims to foster an encouraging and innovative workplace in collaboration with CEDP.
• Good Shepherd Plumpton ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Community Ventures and Good Shepherd Plumpton Parish for the Ambrose Early Learning Good Shepherd Plumpton preschool. The blessing ceremony was concelebrated by Bishop Vincent Long and Fr John Nguyen of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of Plumpton Parish.
• Australian Government (Services Australia)coreOthersAmbrose is a registered childcare provider approved for Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payments. The government subsidy is paid weekly to the service to reduce families' out-of-pocket fees. Additional fee relief is available through the NSW Start Strong program.
• NSW Government (Start Strong Program)coreOthersNSW Government initiative providing financial support to reduce preschool costs for three and four year old children. Ambrose preschools at Blacktown, Emerton, Stanhope Gardens, Greystanes (community preschools) and Plumpton, St Luke's, Santa Sophia (long day care) participate in this program.
• Dr Red Ruby ScarletminorOthersEarly childhood teacher-researcher, consultant, artist and academic who guided the Early Years professional development day focused on Hope, Reflection, and Connection. Educators reflected on EYLF, documentation, and the significance of curiosity.
• Chatterbox Speech TherapyminorOthersSpeech therapy provider that supported hands-on activities at the Early Years professional development day, deepening educators' understanding of neurodiversity and strategies to help children reach their full potential.
• Marina Bailey (Registered Psychologist)minorOthersRegistered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society who spoke at the School Age Care Professional Development conference on middle childhood development, positive behaviour support, and authentic inclusion.
• Kelly Oldfield (Child Development and Behaviour Specialists)minorOthersDirector of Child Development and Behaviour Specialists from Western Australia who presented on escalation and de-escalation strategies at the School Age Care Professional Development conference.
• Jessica Staines (Koori Curriculum)minorOthersFounder of the multiple award-winning Koori Curriculum who delivered a workshop on embedding Aboriginal perspectives in children's services at the School Age Care Professional Development conference.
• Anthony SemannminorOthersEarly childhood sector consultant who delivered a thought-provoking session on achieving quality as a team at the School Age Care Professional Development conference.
• Perfect Speech Pathology (Richmond)minorOthersLocal speech pathologist in Richmond who partnered with Ambrose St Matthew's Windsor on the Duckling Hatch and Grow Project, delivering eggs to the service for children to care for — a finalist in the Hawkesbury Awards alongside Ambrose St Matthew's.
• Hawkesbury LivingminorOthersAmbrose St Matthew's Windsor is nurturing a growing relationship with Hawkesbury Living, exploring intergenerational engagement including children writing letters to residents of the aged care facility.
• St Vincent de Paul, Hawkesbury Helping Hands, Hawkesbury Animal ShelterminorOthersLocal charities that receive donations from the Ambrose St Matthew's Windsor '40 Bags for 40 Days' Lenten almsgiving initiative, which collects clothing, books, toys, pet supplies and food from families.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KU Children's Services: Long-established not-for-profit early childhood education provider operating preschools and OSHC services across NSW and other states. Closely comparable as a non-profit ECEC operator delivering services within school communities, including co-located models.
• Only About Children: For-profit early learning and OSHC provider with campuses across Sydney and Melbourne, operating a similar integrated Early Learning + School Age Care + Vacation Care stack to Ambrose in overlapping urban NSW catchments.
• Big Fat Smile: Not-for-profit community-based early childhood education provider in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and Western Sydney regions. Directly comparable as a NFP operator with OSHC and preschool services, including services delivered on school sites overlapping Ambrose's footprint.
• Affinity Education: ASX-listed childcare operator with ~200 centres including the Milestones and Papilio brands in NSW. Comparable as a scaled multi-site early learning operator competing for similar families in Western Sydney and Greater Sydney.
• G8 Education: One of Australia's largest ASX-listed childcare operators (~400+ centres). Comparable as a large-scale, multi-brand early learning competitor pursuing similar NSW metro catchment families, with materially greater capital access than Community Ventures.
• Guardian Childcare & Education: Premium early learning and OSHC operator with ~80 centres concentrated in NSW, VIC, and QLD. Comparable in offering premium-positioned early learning and integrated school-age care in similar urban markets.
• Goodstart Early Learning: Australia's largest not-for-profit early childhood education provider, operating ~670 centres nationwide. Directly comparable as a values-led, non-profit operator delivering CCS-approved early learning with a similar mission-driven positioning to Community Ventures/Ambrose.

Emerging players

• Montessori Australia: Federation of Montessori-accredited early learning centres across Australia. Comparable as a pedagogical-framework-driven alternative to Ambrose's Reggio Emilia–influenced approach, often overlapping in parent demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Busy Bees Australia: Australian arm of UK-listed Busy Bees Group, one of the largest global childcare operators. Operates multiple Australian centres with broader geographic reach and substantially greater capital backing than Community Ventures.

Others

• Catholic Schools NSW: Peak body representing Catholic schools across NSW, including the Diocese of Parramatta. Relevant as the ecosystem enabler whose policies and school network dynamics shape the co-location model that underpins Ambrose's distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CathServicesLtd
• Facebookfacebook.com/ParraCatholicServicesLimited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cdpsl-catholic-diocese-of-parramatta-services-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/parramattacatholicservices

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Ventures