SDN Hurstville

“I am most passionate about early literacy and our ongoing transition to school program that is embedded as part of our educational program” 

My qualifications and experience   

I have worked in various areas of the early childhood sector for nearly three decades. I started my professional journey back in 1995 in country Western NSW and Sydney. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching, Early Childhood and currently studying for my Masters in Research – specialising in Educational Law.  

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with all age groups as an Early Childhood Teacher in long day care, early intervention and preschool in NSW Health and service base settings in Australia, as well as abroad in Scotland and England. There, I worked with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom to support children aged 0–12 years across various settings, including running parenting and health programs for young children. 

After that, I worked for a not-for-profit crèche for children under 5 in London for two years, before moving to live and work in an early intervention school in Edinburgh, Scotland. Returning to Australia in 2009, I worked at SDN for 12 years, and have spent over a decade here at SDN Milperra.   

What I'm most passionate about in my role   

I am most passionate about early literacy and our ongoing transition to school program that is embedded as part of our educational program. We are fortunate to continue our growing partnership with the local Milperra Public School next door, and make regular outings to the school library for all children within the centre. 

It has been a rewarding journey to see our centre flourish with a "nothing is impossible" attitude and a strong philosophy reflective of a 21st Century learning environment. This has enabled my passion for teaching and has allowed the team to embrace creative and innovative ways to educate children, thus shaping our future leaders.   

What I love about working with SDN   

It has been a fantastic journey to be part of a centre from the opening days of operation, seeing it grow into an established centre, and rated Exceeding in all areas. This is a significant achievement that the SDN Milperra team are proud of. 

I also love the support we get from the wider community. I feel strongly connected to the local community, in addition to my land in the broader country, NSW.   

A little bit more about me    

In my spare time, I enjoy photography, sewing, cooking, playing the piano and finding a quiet moment to catch up on some reading. I am currently reading The First Astronomers – How Indigenous Elders read the stars by Duane Hamacher with elders and Knowledge holders.  

I grew up on a farm and often return to these tranquil settings with my family and three sons. I also enjoy bushwalks, horse riding and motorbike riding, and have been learning to play the drums with my son.

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

Our toddler program inspires curiosity, helping your child master their emerging skills and independence. 

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 within our curriculum pillars, 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 and celebrating their milestones. 

Read more about our practice with children here.

Get more than school-ready, get life-ready 

Getting school-ready is a journey. It begins with your child’s very first day at our welcoming early education and care centres and continues with our dedicated preschool program.

Developed by university-trained early childhood teachers, our preschool program focuses on the whole child. Children learn to make friends and work together, while gaining the skills and independence they need to thrive through the big transition to school.

Our preschool program follows an evidence-backed, play-based learning approach. Children have fun and follow their curiosity, while we weave in vital skills and learning outcomes.

SDN uses Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework to explore a diverse curriculum from science to social justice. Our days are predictable but flexible, blending structured and spontaneous learning, free play, movement and quiet time.

Our curriculum pillars are:

Our centres have a transition to school program where our teachers and educators work together with local schools to prepare your child for a smooth transition, and support families through the process.

Read more about our educational program here.

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.

SDN Hurstville’s garden and play area has been redesigned and landscaped to provide a safe and exciting outdoor space to encourage children’s curiosity, physical skills and social play. It’s a light and airy space, shaded by large sails. It has a purpose-built mud kitchen, a miniature jungle gym, a sandpit on top of a low-incline climbing hill, and a wide double slide, which is good for socialising and sliding!

The traditional owners of the area now known as Hurstville are the Biddegal people of the Eora Nation. 

SDN Hurstville was officially opened on 18 March 1998 by Senator Marise Payne in the presence of guests including SDN’s then patron Mrs Samuels. The previous year, SDN had taken over the operation of a child care centre run by St George Anglican Church and had moved the centre to its current location on 13 October 1997.

The new building was SDN’s first purpose-built centre since the 1970s. It was noted for its light and airy interior which retained portions of the original building – once a local corner shop.

Since its beginnings, SDN Hurstville has undergone many changes, always maintaining and reflecting a strong connection with the families of this vibrant and diverse community.

Read more about SDN Hurstville's history here.

From 1 July 2024, our fees will be $153 per day for children under three years old and $148 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 also calculate what your out-of-pocket child care costs will be on the government’s Starting Blocks Child Care Subsidy Calculator.

NSW Start Strong funding - Additional Preschool Fee Relief

On top of any CCS you may receive, the NSW Government is providing additional fee relief:

• If your child turns 4 years old or before 31 July 2024, is enrolled in a preschool program at an eligible long day care service and doesn’t receive preschool relief (also called start strong funding) from another preschool, you will receive up to $2,110 in fee relief.
• If your child is 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on, or before 31 July in 2024, is enrolled at an eligible long day care service and doesn’t receive preschool relief (also called start strong funding) from another preschool, you will receive up to $500 in fee relief.

Find more information about the Start Strong program here. If you’ve read this information and you’re still unsure about what you’ll pay, please call us on 1300 831 445 or book a centre tour. We’re happy to answer your questions.

18 months-2 Babies

• 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

• 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