I graduated with a Diploma with Distinction in Early Childhood Teaching in 1988 and have now worked with SDN for 20 years. I’ve been a Centre Director for 18 years.

During my time with SDN I have had the opportunity to work in a number of services before arriving at SDN Glebe in 2012. My values are closely aligned with those of SDN’s and I really appreciate being able to make a small difference to the lives of our families.

Working as a Centre Director is extremely rewarding. Always varied and challenging, it enables so many exciting opportunities. It is a huge privilege to work with so many families and children and with so many talented individual team members.

As SDN Glebe is a smaller centre, I can get to know all individuals well. Our central location enables many possibilities for visits and excursions.

Our connection with Glebe playgroup and the School Yarning program via visits from Aunty Tania provide a unique connection to our community and have led to many wonderful and unique learning opportunities for colleagues, children, families and me as we learn together and connect with the past, present and future custodians of the land.

Our families frequently express that they like our welcoming, relaxed environment, and all have praised the quality and dedication of our centre staff and the warm relationships that they develop with their children and themselves.

I look forward to welcoming you to SDN Glebe.

Growing bodies need movement and exercise. Growing minds need stimulus and exploration. Growing hearts need opportunities to play and mix with others.

At SDN we know that the best thing we can do for your infant or toddler is to support them to grow and develop in safe, unhurried, nurturing and challenging environments.

Because infants and toddlers are naturally curious, our centres have well-equipped indoor and outdoor areas that will keep your child moving and give them daily opportunities to explore their limits and grow their abilities.

Your child is unique and so we will devise a learning and development program based on what we know about your child’s interests, learning and development. Because they will always be changing and growing, we consistently review the program to ensure we are keeping up with your child’s development, providing them with the best learning opportunities.

Read more about our Child-led Educational program here.

Developed by university-trained early childhood teachers, our preschool program focuses on the whole child, building healthy bodies, caring hearts and curious minds.

We will draw on your child’s interests, strengths, needs and culture to plan and implement a program that best meets their learning and developmental needs.

The program is flexible and will give your child a voice in their learning and development. Your child will be our co-planner, sharing ideas and questions that drive their learning. Our preschool teachers will plan experiences for your child that focus on specific skills in an engaging and meaningful way to support their growing skills and knowledge.

We will immerse your child in a language-rich environment and support them to develop the skills and mindset they need for a successful start to school. Through planned play and learning experiences your child will develop the listening and social skills as well as a passion for learning with curiosity, enthusiasm, persistence, cooperation and focused attention they will need when they transition to school.

Our centres have a transition to school program where our educators work together with local kindergarten teachers and our preschool teachers attend transition to school meetings with local schools.

Read more about our Child-led Educational program here.

Families in our urban based centres often call our outdoor areas their “green oasis”.

SDN's outdoor spaces provide opportunities for children to enjoy themselves and have adventures. They’re safe environments for children to run, jump and yell, make mud cakes, and use their energy.

Outdoor spaces provide more than physical benefits. Even though you may think that children only play outside to have fun, they're also improving their thinking, social, and emotional skills. When they’re playing outside, they’re inventing games, learning about the world at their own pace, and figuring out social customs like turn-taking.

These are just some of the reasons SDN invests in developing new, award-winning outdoor spaces with natural designs that inspire children’s curiosity, physical play, and social play.

From 1 July 2019, our fees will be $134 per day for children under three years old and $129 per day for children three years and over. 

The majority of families in our centres do not pay the full daily fee because they receive Child Care Subsidy (CCS) from the government.

The subsidy you may receive through the CCS will depend on:

• Your combined family income
• The number of hours you work, study or participate in recognised volunteer work. This is called the ‘activity test’. If your child is in the year before school, if you are on a very low income, or if you are on parental leave, you will not have to pass the activity test to receive some CCS.

Your child will need to meet immunisation requirements and you will need to meet residency requirements to be eligible to receive the CCS.

You can calculate what your out of pocket child care costs will be on the government’s child care subsidy calculator.

If you’ve read this information and you’re still unsure about what you’ll pay, please call us or book a centre tour. We’re happy to answer your questions.

0-2 Babies

• Nappies
• Change of clothes x2
• Hat – sun safe  
• Shoes and Socks
• Warm clothes / Jacket (for outside play)
• Shoes and Socks
• Comforter – soft toy/blanket/dummy
• Bottles and milk formula/breast milk
• Blanket / Cot sheets

2-3 Toddlers

• Nappies / spare underwear
• Change of clothes
• Hat – sun safe
• Shoes and Socks
• Warm clothes / Jacket (for outside play)
• Drink Bottle
• Comforter – for rest time
• Blankets

3-5 Preschoolers  

• Spare underwear
• Change of clothes
• Hat – sun safe
• Shoes and Socks
• Warm clothes / Jacket (for outside play)
• Drink Bottle
• Blankets

The traditional owners of the Glebe area are the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Originally an occasional care centre run by another organisation, Glebe became part of the SDN family in 2009 after staff and parents worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to transform the centre into SDN Glebe Children’s Education and Care Centre. All involved celebrated the reopening as staff and families were warmly welcomed to SDN with speeches and a morning tea hosted by the CEO.

On SDN Glebe’s first birthday, the local MP congratulated staff for providing high-quality and much needed education and care for children in the area.

In reflecting on SDN Glebe’s history, the importance of community has always been central to our service. Since its beginnings, the centre has undergone many changes, always maintaining and reflecting a strong connection with the families of this vibrant and diverse community.