Knowledge about approved providers’ governance and leadership practice that affect the provision of sustainable quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Southeast Queensland (SEQ) is under-researched. Examining this identified gap potentially allows for the consideration of strategies for improved quality of ECEC provision that may be transferable across Australia as legislation overseeing quality in long day care (LDC) services is mandated nationally by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This study specifically aimed to identify factors that can be categorised as sustainable and unsustainable practice. In the context of this study, ‘sustainable’ refers to the capacity for quality early childhood provision to be maintained in the long term, including the human resource ecological systems in long day care services. These considerations are explored using Kemmis’ theory of practice architectures and practice characteristics.