SDN Lady McKell, Goulburn

“I believe it's important to create a safe, supportive environment where children may grow and learn at their own pace and where their uniqueness is valued.”

My qualifications and experience  

I have a Diploma in Children Services and I am currently completing my Bachelor of Early Childhood Teacher with the University of New England. 

 I started as a trainee at SDN in 2009, and in the last fifteen years I have worked with all ages from birth to 5 years and have progressed to Senior Educator, then to Room Leader, 2IC and now as Centre Director. 

What I'm most passionate about in my role  

My commitment as an Early Childhood Educator is in advocating for inclusive education, play-based learning, and fostering uplifting and encouraging relationships with families and children both inside the centre and in the surrounding community. I believe it's important to create a safe, supportive environment where children may grow and learn at their own pace and where their uniqueness is valued. 

What I love about working with SDN  

I love being a part of the SDN wider community and especially apart of the SDN Lady McKell team. All my work colleagues bring something different and unique to the team, which creates a great team environment that is inspiring and uplifting for not only ourselves as educators, but for our families and children within our service. 

A little bit more about me  

In my spare time I love to spend time raising my two young boys who have taught me so much, along with spending time with my family and friends creating memorable moments.   

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 July 2024, our fees will be $160 per day for children under three years old and $150 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.

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