Nutrition and Mealtimes
We provide children with a variety of healthy foods, and cater for children with allergies and intolerances.
SDN Beranga is a purpose built preschool for children with autism located in Rooty Hill. It provides early childhood education for 27 children daily, and also offers early childhood intervention services and children's therapies.
Over the past decade we’ve been in operation we’ve supported hundreds of children and families, including many who have transitioned to a mainstream environment.
Each child and family attending SDN Beranga is supported with an individual approach to suit their needs. Our staff include teachers, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and cooks. We identify children and families’ strengths, then work with you to set goals for your child. Find out more about how SDN Beranga can help your child by reading the SDN Beranga Family Information Handbook here.
While you can’t use your child’s NDIS package to pay for preschool, you can access additional therapy through SDN Beranga’s onsite therapists and pay for it through your child’s NDIS package. Our therapists will work hand-in hand with you and your child’s educators to ensure that their therapy takes place wherever they live and play.
If your child does not yet have an NDIS package, our family resource worker can help you to navigate the NDIS application and planning process.
Agatha Nicol, the cook working for SDN Beranga when it opened, shared her nutritious, affordable and approachable meals with the world when SDN Beranga mealtimes: cooking and sharing meals with your child with autism was published - you can view and download the book for free here.
Additional Services available at SDN Beranga.
"My passion, is and always will be, inclusive practices and advocating for those who are unable to do so for themselves."
My qualifications and experience
I hold a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), and have over 25 years experience in early childhood education and care. I commenced as Centre Director of SDN Beranga in April 2023, my 5th role as Director of a service.
What I'm most passionate about in my role
My passion, is and always will be, inclusive practices and advocating for those who are unable to do so for themselves. As a child, my parents provided respite care to many children from traumatic and less fortunate backgrounds, and it was clear the positive impact this had on their lives from an early age.
What I love about working with SDN
I love that everyone at SDN is very friendly, welcoming and supportive and that I feel like I have found my forever place. It is really lovely to work with like-minded people and to see the SDN values in practice each and every day.
A little bit more about me
I am originally from London, arriving in Sydney as a teenager with my family as we emigrated for a better lifestyle. My greatest joy is my three amazing children; one is a teacher, one is a nurse, and one is a student.
I love to travel, cook and read, have day trips to the beach, go for long bush and coastal walks, but most of all spend time with my beautiful family.
My favourite holiday destination is Rhulani Lodge, South Africa. I am yet to find a more beautiful place to be.
The Darug People are the traditional owners of the Western Sydney area where SDN Beranga is located. SDN Beranga first opened its doors in 2013.
Since its formation in 1905, SDN has provided professional, holistic services for children. Specialist staff for children with additional needs began to be employed as early as the 1930s and disability services were formally established in the 1980s.
In 2010, SDN successfully tendered to build and operate an Autism-specific Early Years Demonstration Service in Western Sydney. In August 2011, a transitional program was introduced for families, run from local community centres. SDN Beranga, the purpose-built 'Lighthouse' centre, was officially opened in 2013.
SDN Beranga’s delivery model has been highly successful and has produced outstanding results, reflecting our strong connection with local families and supporting SDN's vision and commitment to enhancing the wellbeing and development of all children.
Read the full history here
The NSW Government is providing up to $4,220 in fee relief for preschool-aged children who are enrolled in community preschools at SDN Children’s Services from 2023, which includes SDN Beranga Autism Specific Preschool.
Daily fee before fee relief has been applied:
No low-income health card |
$106.15 |
With a low-income health card |
$69.15 |
Daily fee after fee relief has been applied:
Fee you will pay without a low-income health card |
$42.00 |
Fee you will pay with a low-income health card |
$5.00 |
If you are attending one of our preschools, we’ll ask you to complete a form, applying for funding. Once you have completed the form, we will apply the reduced fee.
*Please note: