I have worked in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 30 years.  Initially this included work as an Early Childhood Teacher in private, community and government-based centres, before I started work with SDN in 1997. Beginning as an Early Childhood Teacher, I have been Centre Director at SDN Marrickville, SDN Petersham, SDN Redfern, SDN Glebe and I joined SDN Ultimo in April 2020. 

SDN prides itself as a ‘Community of Learners’ and I feel this ethos is fully realised at SDN Ultimo. Our centre is essentially ‘a school within a school’. Not only is the centre within the TAFE grounds, but our team are committed lifelong learners, and each day we place value in learning alongside the children.

I believe work in early childhood is an amazing privilege. Families place so much trust in us, and we can make a difference in children’s lives as we support them to learn and develop. The more I learn about the importance of the early years and children’s brain development, the more I am reminded about the significance of being involved in the education for our youngest citizens.   

I have always been passionate about the inclusion of children, and at SDN Ultimo I am very proud to lead the Autism Specific Program. The journey to supporting this program has provided new possibilities for learning both personally and professionally, and I am delighted to bring my many decades of experience to leading this innovative program.

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 Ultimo area are the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

SDN Ultimo has been operating within the Ultimo TAFE grounds since 2002 after a successful tender in 2001 to manage two TAFE child care centres at the Ultimo and Petersham campuses.

In 2010 SDN Ultimo was proud to be one of 20 centres across Australia to participate in the first trial to test the workability of the new National Quality Standards.

Since its beginnings, SDN Ultimo has undergone many changes and has always reflected a strong connection with the families in this vibrant and diverse educational community.

Read more about SDN Ultimo's history here. 

At SDN we want to ensure that all families have access to high quality, inclusive education and care as we provide at SDN Ultimo.  That’s why we offer the opportunity to enrol for occasional care at this centre.

Families in flexible care have the opportunity to take a full or a half-day place and must make at least one booking every 8 weeks.

Occasional care bookings are taken subject to availability on the day and you can book occasional care for either a full day or a half-day.

Half day fees will be $81 for children under three years old and for children three years and over.

To find out more call us on 1300 831 445.

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