SDN North Sydney

"I understand the importance of early learning for young children on a personal level, and I am committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in their educational journey."

My qualifications and experience

I began my academic journey at the University of Auckland, where I studied Early Childhood Education in 2006. I also hold a BA degree in French literature.

I embarked on my career as an Early Childhood Teacher in 2007 and over the years, have deepened my skills and understanding of early childhood development.

In 2019, I moved to Australia, where I took on leadership roles as an Educational Leader and Centre Director.

What I'm most passionate about in my role

I'm passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of countless young learners. I believe in the importance of being a teacher first, allowing me to connect with children and understand their needs deeply.

I also love using my rich experience to guide and inspire other educators, fostering a collaborative and nurturing environment for both staff and students.

What I love about working with SDN

I chose to work at SDN because of its non-profit status and commitment to providing high-quality Early Childhood Education to all children, regardless of their background.

SDN's mission to support and nurture every child aligns perfectly with my own values and passion for making a positive impact to the lives of children and families. I am proud to be part of an organisation that prioritises the wellbeing, learning and development of children, while also fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for educators.

A little bit more about meAs a mother of two daughters, I understand the importance of early learning for young children on a personal level. This fuels my commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education, ensuring that every child has the best start in their educational journey.

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.

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 North Sydney area are the Cammeraigal People of the Eora Nation.

SDN North Sydney officially opened on 11 December 1926. Back then it was known as the Northern Suburbs Day Nursery, located in a bungalow purchased by SDN for £2,600 and renovated. The ‘Dorothea MacCallum Cot Room’ was named in honour of then SDN President, Lady MacCallum, who had personally donated £100 towards the nursery.

SDN had recognised the need for a nursery in the northern suburbs of Sydney as some mothers had to travel into the city to drop their children at one of SDN’s nurseries before travelling back to the northern suburbs again to their workplaces.

On 27 May 1977, the old house was demolished and a new building constructed on the site.

Since its beginnings, SDN North Sydney has undergone many changes but has always maintained and reflected a strong connection with families in a vibrant and diverse community. This is most recently reflected in its name change to SDN North Sydney from its beginning name of SDN Northern Suburbs. This change was done to be a more accurate reflection of the centre's location, as opposed to the generic and outdated initial name.

From 1 July 2024, our fees will be $224 per day for children under three years old and $205 per day for children three years and over.

SDN North Sydney also offers half days, from 9am to 2pm. The fee is $135 for 0-3 years and $123 per day for 3-5 years.

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.

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