Why choose child care at SDN?
- We employ highly-trained and caring staff.
- University-educated teachers in all of our long day care and preschool centres.
- We are proud of our reputation for nurturing and caring for babies and have long operated with a 1:4 staff to infant ratio.
- We are at the forefront of contemporary and innovative early childhood education practice.
- Our curriculum principles integrate the Early Years Learning Framework.
- We are not-for-profit, putting children first and investing any surplus in the quality of our centres.
- We welcome children of all abilities. We are inclusive of all children and work to address inequalities faced by marginalised children.
- Our vision, mission, values and philosophy underpin our work with children.
- We employ an OH&S team to ensure the safety of our children and staff.
Your child will benefit from
- Well-resourced centres.
- Small group sizes.
- Child-focused educational programs.
- Natural, green environments to explore.
- Stability.
What is different about SDN?
SDN is an integrated children’s services organisation. Our long day care and preschool centres are supported by specialist teachers trained to support children with additional needs, including challenging behaviour, children with disabilities and children with autism. We are able to support the needs of your child. SDN is the only child care organisation with a dedicated Aboriginal Unit to support Aboriginal children and families.
- Extra support for children with additional needs.
- Integrated support services.
- SDN Aboriginal Unit, Ngara Nanga Mai.
- SDN supports the ongoing professional development of our 550 staff.
- Employs a Child Wellbeing Advisor.
- Families are involved in centre life.
SDN’s achievements
- SDN was one of a few select organisations invited to write and assess Australia’s first national early childhood curriculum, The Early Years Learning Framework.
- SDN is one of the oldest child care organisations in the country and has always been regarded as a pioneer of early childhood education and care, having been the first to train and employ qualified teachers in the 1930s.
- Government regularly engages SDN on child care and early education. During a recent visit to SDN Marrickville, the Federal Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis remarked: ‘This centre is an example of what we want to see right around the nation to give all Australian children the very best start in these critical, early years.’
- We provide excellent education and care to more than 3000 children each year in our 23 centres.
- At SDN we are passionate and committed, inclusive and innovative. We employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- SDN is financially stable and we are committed to growing responsibly by expanding the number of centres we manage.
- We champion the rights of all children to have access to affordable care and education.
