“I know that a great start and exposure in early childhood sets children up for a lifetime of success.”

My qualifications and experience  

I have been working for SDN since 2006, starting as a trainee. I worked up from trainee to a Early Childhood Educator, to Room Leader, and then into my current position as Centre Director. During this time, I also completed my Advanced Diploma of Early Childhood Education in 2010.  

I work according to SDN’s philosophy and values and have experience working across the entire centre and all age groups. This has taught me how to lead our team and partner with children and families. 

I also have a background in Early Childhood Development.

What I'm most passionate about in my role  

I am passionate about providing high-quality early childhood education and care to children and families. I know that a great start and exposure in early childhood sets children up for a lifetime of success.  

I am motivated and enthusiastic about what I do because not one day is the same, which means I am forever learning. 

What I love about working with SDN  

I love that SDN's approach is that we are all part of an inclusive village, as well as the ongoing support and opportunities for career progression that SDN offers.  

For my centre personally, SDN Lady McKell is right in the heart of Goulburn and has provided high-quality childcare since our opening in 1954. We are well established within the community, and most of our staff and families attended our centre when they were children. 

We have spectacular well-established gardens, but it is our staff who make this centre the high-quality service that the community has come to know and trust. I am proud to be surrounded by a team of passionate and committed educators and the longevity of their service. 

A little bit more about me  

I usually spend my spare time with my husband and friends. We spend many weekends at our family’s holiday home in the South Coast, including hiking and exploring the surrounds with our German Shepherd.  

I also love swimming, snorkelling, and cooking (especially seafood). 

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 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.

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 preschool 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 Lady McKell has a large outdoor play area with lots of trees to provide shade in the summer and sun-dappled adventures during the winter. It has a sandpit under a sail, cubby spaces, and a proper mud kitchen with wide sinks and benchtops so the children can create garden play delicacies! There’s also a veggie garden where the children plant seedlings, which they later pick and get fed as part of their nutritious meals. Last but certainly not least is the chicken house where their beloved centre chickens live.

The area now known as Goulburn Mulwaree was traditionally a very important meeting place for various Aboriginal groups including the Mulwaree, Tarlo, Burra Burra, Wollondilly, Wiradjuri, Gundungurra, Dharrook, Tharawal, Lachlan, Pajong, Parramarragoo, Cookmal and Gnunawal people.

SDN Lady McKell, Goulburn first opened its doors in 1954. The centre was named after Lady Mary McKell, a significant contributor to fundraising and wife of Sir William McKell, the Governor-General of Australia. The building was considered state of the art with maximised light and air to the playrooms and dining room, and access to a well-equipped and protected open-air play area. SDN Lady McKell, Goulburn still provides a wonderful caring and learning space for local children more than 50 years later.

Since its beginnings, SDN Lady McKell, Goulburn has reflected a strong connection with local families, and supported SDN's vision and commitment to enhancing the wellbeing and development of all children.

Read more about SDN Lady McKell's history here.

From 1 January 2023, our fees will be $142 per day for children under three years old and $134 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.

Try our CCS estimator tool here.

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

Additional Preschool fee relief

In addition, the NSW Government is providing up to $2110 in fee relief for preschool aged children who are enrolled in the preschool program at SDN Children’s Services from 2023.

If your child will be 4 on or before 31 July 2023, this additional funding could mean up to $40 a week in fee relief to your family, on top of the existing child care subsidy.

Read more about the NSW early years commitment. 

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

• 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