SDN Redfern

My qualifications and experience 

I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Charles Sturt University, awarded in 2010. My journey with SDN began in late December 2023, stepping into the role of Director with enthusiasm and a deep commitment to early childhood education. My history with SDN stretches back over two decades, working as a Casual Educator at SDN Linthorpe St, Newtown, SDN Redfern and SDN Lois Barker, Waterloo. 

In total, I have had 25 years of experience in the early childhood sector, including serving as an Area Manager and Campus Director for another organisation for a decade. During my tenure, I mentored new Directors and played an important role in leading four of our Area Campuses to achieve exceeding ratings. 

What I'm most passionate about in my role 

I am passionate about supporting children with additional needs and fostering meaningful connections with families. My dedication extends to education; I am enthusiastic about providing training and coaching to my teams, emphasising the importance of understanding the 'why' behind their actions. I also enjoy creating warm, welcoming environments for children to explore and learn. 

A little bit more about me 

In my personal time, I enjoy adventures with my family. We love activities such as camping and quad bike riding and 4WD driving. An interesting and perhaps surprising aspect of me is my love for thrill-seeking adventures. Going sky-diving last year was the most exhilarating experience of my life! 

In addition to English, I have a basic understanding of Arabic and French, though I am not fluent in these languages.

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.

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 Redfern area are the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

SDN Redfern opened on 20 June 1938, following a request by a Child Welfare Department officer for SDN to provide services in the Alexandria-Redfern-Erskineville area, where many women worked in factories. The ‘Model Nursery Centre’ for children two years old to school-aged was gifted by Sydney woolbroker and philanthropist Mr J.P. Johnson and his wife. After the centre opened it was noted that the health of the children attending improved considerably.

Facilities for babies were added in 1941 and a brand new building opened in August 1980. SDN’s head office was located above the centre from 1982 until 2006. The Central and Eastern Sydney office of SDN Brighter Futures now operates from above the centre.

Since its beginnings, SDN Redfern has undergone many changes and has always maintained and reflected a strong connection with the families of this vibrant and diverse community.

Read more about SDN Redfern's history here. 

From 1 July 2024, our fees will be $178 per day for children under three years old and $160 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