SDN Kensington at UNSW Sydney

My qualifications and experience 

I hold a Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) and have over ten years of experience in the early childhood sector. I began my journey at SDN as an Early Childhood Teacher and progressed through leadership roles including Second in Charge and Acting Director, before stepping into my current role as Centre Director. This progression has given me a strong understanding of high-quality teaching practice, effective leadership, compliance, and building meaningful relationships with children, families, and educators.

What I'm most passionate about in my role 

I am deeply committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education that supports children’s holistic development and wellbeing. I believe children thrive when they feel safe, confident, and meaningfully challenged, and this underpins both my teaching and leadership philosophy.

As Centre Director, I lead with a focus on fostering an inclusive, reflective, and collaborative culture where educators are empowered to provide best-practice learning experiences. Supporting children through key transitions, embracing diversity, and partnering closely with families are central to my approach.

I aim to ensure every child at our centre benefits from a rich, supportive, and engaging learning environment.

What I love about working with SDN 

What I truly value about working with SDN is the organisation’s genuine commitment to children, families, and educators. As a not-for-profit, SDN places children at the centre of every decision, creating a culture where the wellbeing and development of children are always the priority.

I appreciate being part of a supportive and values-driven organisation that champions inclusion, respect, and continuous improvement. It is inspiring to work alongside passionate professionals who are dedicated to delivering high-quality education, fostering reflective practice, and building strong, collaborative partnerships with families and the wider community to support each child’s learning and sense of belonging.

A little bit more about me 

I’m a bit of a food adventurer and love discovering hidden restaurants or local favourites. I also enjoy travelling, exploring different cultures, and trying new cuisines. I speak Tagalog and have a conversational, though slightly rusty, understanding of Italian. In my spare time, I enjoy reading.

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.

Our infant program nurtures your child's rapid growth, enriching relationships and boosting brain development.

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.

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. The playground is designed to stimulate play, exploration and imagination. 

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 2025, our fees will be $227 per day for children under three years old and $199 per day for children three years and over.

NB: UNSW University staff fees will be $215 per day for children under three years old and $187 per day for children three years and over.

UNSW University student fees will be $174 per day for children under three years old and $155 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.

Until January 2026, families must meet an activity test to qualify for government childcare subsidies (CCS). If you’re thinking of starting care in 2025, you can get more information on what qualifies as an eligible activity under the activity test here.

From January 2026, the activity test will be removed. From this point forward, all families who meet the general eligibility criteria will be entitled to at least 72 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight.

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.

2026 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 on or before 31 July 2026, 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 $2,563 in fee relief.

• If your child is 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on or before 31 July 2026, 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 $769 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.

0-2 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

In May 2020, UNSW called for tenders to operate their three remaining three centre. SDN successfully tendered, and following an extensive transition process, began management of SDN Randwick at UNSW Sydney, SDN Kensington at UNSW Sydney and SDN Kingsford at UNSW Sydney on behalf of UNSW in January 2021.

Read more about SDN Kensington at UNSW Sydney's history here.