“We take pride in providing quality early childhood education for autistic children. We do this by using best practices in early intervention approaches, positive behaviour and play-based learning.” 

My qualifications and experience   

I hold a Bachelor's degree (Level 8) in Montessori Education from St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dun Laoghaire, in Dublin, Ireland. This trained me up as both an Early Childhood and Special Needs Teacher. 

I have worked in special and mainstream settings since 2006. I started my formal teaching career in 2010 in an autism classroom in an Irish public school. I then spent a couple of years in a School for Specific Purpose, working with children 5 – 15 years with varying needs. 

I arrived in Australia in 2013, first working as an Educational Leader in a for-profit early childhood education organisation before finding my home at SDN Beranga in 2017. As SDN Beranga is an Autism Specific Preschool, I was able to reconnect to my special education background. Since joining, I have moved from Room Leader to Educational Leader and became Centre Director in 2020.

What I'm most passionate about in my role   

My role involves supporting and leading the team here to provide inclusive education for autistic children, while also providing guidance and assistance to their families. I love what we do here at SDN Beranga, particularly partnering with families as they navigate their child’s learning journey, which for our children can be complex. 

We take pride in providing quality early childhood education for autistic children. We do this by using best practices in early intervention approaches, positive behaviour and play-based learning. We are always trying to improve and develop our practice as a team. The team inspires me daily with the care and passion they bring to their roles.  

What I love about working with SDN  

I really appreciate that SDN is a non-for-profit organisation. Here, the money earned goes back into the services and staff. It is also used to support our advocacy role for children and families as a disability and education provider.   

On top of that, I love how inclusive the organisation is. I think that the existence of SDN Beranga is a testament to the purpose of the organisation to create a more equitable future for autistic children. It brings me great joy and pride that I can support this work.  

A little bit more about me   

I love spending my weekends with my little family. My daughter, born in March 2021, keeps us very much on our toes. You will usually find me during my spare time exploring the playgrounds, beaches and parks of the Eastern suburbs with my daughter and my husband. When I have a moment to myself, I love to go to a Yoga or Pilates class or meet up for some delicious food with friends. 

Regarding my name, Niamh is very common in Ireland but highly unusual in Australia. It is pronounced as "N – eve" or, as I usually say "Eve with an N at the start".  

The Darug People are the traditional owners of the Western Sydney area where SDN Beranga is located. SDN Beranga first opened its doors in 2013.

Since its formation in 1905, SDN has provided professional, holistic services for children. Specialist staff for children with additional needs began to be employed as early as the 1930s and disability services were formally established in the 1980s.

In 2010, SDN successfully tendered to build and operate an Autism-specific Early Years Demonstration Service in Western Sydney. In August 2011, a transitional program was introduced for families, run from local community centres. SDN Beranga, the purpose-built 'Lighthouse' centre, was officially opened in 2013.

SDN Beranga’s delivery model has been highly successful and has produced outstanding results, reflecting our strong connection with local families and supporting SDN's vision and commitment to enhancing the wellbeing and development of all children.

Read the full history here

The NSW Government is providing up to $4,220 in fee relief for preschool-aged children who are enrolled in community preschools at SDN Children’s Services from 2023, which includes SDN Beranga Autism Specific Preschool.

Daily fee before fee relief has been applied:

Daily fee after fee relief has been applied:

If you are attending one of our preschools, we’ll ask you to complete a form, applying for funding. Once you have completed the form, we will apply the reduced fee.

*Please note:

• Equity fee for children at SDN Beranga with a disability and without an eligible low-income health card or Pension Card
• Equity Discount fee for children with a disability and eligible low-income health card (equity discount) or Pension Card