Kathryne Bennett

Centre Manager - Great Beginnings Berwick

“There is no greater joy than to build relationships with families and their children.”

I began my career in early childhood education and care in 2010 and started working at Great Beginnings Berwick in 2021. I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. I worked my way up from Assistant Educator to a Lead Educator in 2014. In 2018, I stepped into an Assistant Manager role within G8 Education, and then in 2021 transferred over to Great Beginnings Berwick as a Centre Manager.  

After having my own child this further fuelled my passion to be in the early childhood sector. There is no greater joy than to build relationships with families and their children. From the moment they first come into the centre to their first day, all the way until they go off to school – it is truly special to see each child reach goals and milestones here with us. I believe in play-based learning and following each child’s interests and creating an environment that suits their individualised needs.

At home, children do not get the same level of social exposure. Children learn really well in social situations how to navigate and negotiate play with their peers. Children will become more resilient, have greater levels of communication and have a greater sense of self.

In our nursery they learn all about creating secure attachments, then as they move into our toddler rooms, they start to develop their autonomy skills. As they head into our kindergarten room, they are working towards school readiness and preparing for their next stage of their learning journey. Having a positive association to learning is fundamental for their later years. Our diverse team of educators are dedicated and passionate about early childhood education, creating a solid foundation of experiences to help each child reach their full potential. We create a home away from home where children can develop in a warm, safe and nurturing environment.

The health and wellbeing of those within the centre is of the utmost importance to our team. It is embedded in our everyday practice and is included in our educational program. With the recent pandemic, children have been very interested in germs, where they come from, and how they can keep safe. Educators have extended on this natural interest during group times, sensory play, and science experiments. Children have taken ownership over their own hygiene practices, and with the support of their educators, are learning healthy habits. My Child Protection statement of commitment is to advocate for the rights of every child.

The journey begins at the first meeting, which is often the tour. Understanding parents’ expectations and meeting them is the most important part of a good relationship. Open two-way communication and consistent care giving helps for a smooth transition from home to care and back again.

We have a coffee/tea station set up in the foyer for busy parents. We also have a community pantry, library and clothes swap set up where any of our families can take items donated, saving them money and being sustainable.

Within our enrollment pack, we have created a step-by-step guide on how to enrol, beginning with applying for CCS (Child Care Subsidy). We walk the families through each step, from when and how to apply for CCS, to submitting the enrollment forms (with the flexibility of getting the CCS applied to the account and give them a rundown of our app (Xplor). We work in partnership with families from the moment they come in for their tour, until their child goes off to school at the end of their enrollment.