“Building trusting relationships for a child is vital for them to thrive and learn about themselves and the world around them.” 

My qualifications and experience 

I have been with SDN Children’s Services for over a decade in various roles. I started as a Diploma trained educator in the Preschool room, and progressed into roles including Room Leader, Early Childhood Teacher and now onto a leadership role as Centre Director.  

What I'm most passionate about in my role 

I am passionate about the early years of a child’s life. I believe the first five years of a child are fundamentally important, as during this time the brain develops more than at any other time in a human’s life.  

Therefore, building trusting relationships with a child is vital for them to thrive and learn about themselves and the world around them.

What I love about working with SDN 
 
Being a part of the SDN community means being part of something bigger and having the support of a village. 

SDN Lois Barker is not just another early learning centre, it is like a home. From the first moment I stepped through the doors I had this feeling of home, warmth and belonging. Situated in the heart of Waterloo, SDN Lois Barker is an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

We are part of a rich community, which is reflected in the children, families, and staff. When you become part of the SDN Lois Barker family you will see this is an amazing place to play, learn and grow together.

A little bit more about me 

While being the director of SDN Lois Barker is a big part of me, outside of work I love spending time with my family, as well as travel, great food and just relaxing in front of the TV. 

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.

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

SDN Lois Barker opened for operation on 24 October 1983 in a Housing Commission complex at Wellington Street, Waterloo. SDN was invited by the Sydney City Council to manage the long day care centre, named after an influential early childhood teacher who taught in Sydney for over 35 years. An official opening celebration on 5 April 1984 included the Lord Mayor of Sydney and Lois Barker herself.

SDN Lois Barker quickly became part of the SDN family and way of working. The centre’s first director and nurse-in-charge came from SDN Paddington. From the very beginning, the centre reflected the local community by hosting an end-of-year celebration with international food, and recognising the need for outdoor activities for children who lived in high-rise flats.

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

From 1 January 2023, our fees will be $153 per day for children under three years old and $141 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.

This centre is part of SDN’s low income access program which reduces fees and makes SDN more affordable.

The lower fee reduces the gap between the daily fee and the amount families can claim back through the government’s Child Care Subsidy.

To be eligible, the child’s primary care giver must hold a valid income health care card or pensioner concession card and enrol their child on days that include a Monday or Friday if a space is available on those days. The subsidy covers each child for up three days a week. 

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