I am pleased to present to you the 2018 Annual Report for C&K (the Crèche and Kindergarten Association). This year, our 111th of operation, has been one of reflection and momentum as we continue to navigate and lead the way in providing excellence in early childhood education and care.

August saw Michael Tizard end his five-year tenure as CEO. On behalf of the Board and all at C&K, I  thank Michael for his years of service and positive contributions to C&K as an organisation and to children across Queensland. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

With Michael’s departure, the Board was tasked with recruiting a new CEO who could continue driving C&K forward in an ever-changing early education sector. We were thrilled to welcome Jane Bourne as C&K’s new CEO. Jane is an early childhood educator and advocate who brings with her over four decades of experience in both profit and not-for-profit early education and care organisations.

In only a few short months Jane has had a positive impact on C&K as she meets and greets our staff members, children and families attending our centres. We look forward to working with Jane as we strive towards sustaining and growing our role as Queensland’s leader in early education and care.

It has been my honour to be Chairman of the Board during 2018. I joined C&K in 2013 and have been Chairman since 2017.  Since 2013, I’ve watched C&K grow and develop as an organisation and feel proud and privileged to have been part of that change. I am positive and confident about C&K’s future and feel that C&K is well placed, under Jane’s leadership and the ongoing stewardship of the Board, to tackle any challenges that lay ahead.

I have indicated to the Board that I plan to retire from the board mid-2019.  I wish to extend my appreciation and gratitude to my fellow board members for their time and contributions throughout the year.  In particular, I’d like to thank my Deputy Chair, Therese Mulherin who has agreed to take on the Board Chair role, and Brit Ibanez who will assume the role of Deputy Chair. Jo Darbyshire has also announced her plan to retire from the Board. Jo has been a longstanding member of the Board who has tirelessly contributed to C&K and advocated for children - thank you Jo, your dedication and commitment to C&K is greatly appreciated. Last, but not least, I also wish to thank all the staff and families who continue to invest their time, energy and passion into C&K.  Without you, C&K would not be the outstanding organisation that it is.

I am proud to be the new CEO of C&K as we build upon our wonderful history and move towards an exciting future. I worked for C&K many years ago as a Director of two affiliated centres in Brisbane and then had the privilege of working in the office as an Early Childhood Consultant. And now I’m back to an organisation where I belong.

Throughout my career, I have strongly advocated for children and the importance of the role educators play in their lives. I will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to leverage their support as we provide quality education environments, where children are nurtured in mind and body as they begin their lifelong learning journey.

Over the past decade our ‘Building Waterfalls’ curriculum has embodied C&K’s philosophies, vision and approach for early childhood education and care. To ensure our approach reflects contemporary perspectives and current research, a comprehensive curriculum review has been implemented during 2018. This has been informed by previous work including an external evaluation of C&K’s curriculum together with an externally completed literature review of excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care. This important project has been led by the Education team with dedicated Curriculum Advisors Dr Lyn Zollo and Simone Sullivan.

The review has included a Community of Practice collaborative approach including educators from across the state representing diverse community contexts, together with C&K personnel and advisory group members. The revised curriculum was piloted in multiple sites in the latter half of the year with positive feedback. The new curriculum approach will be launched and implemented across C&K centres from mid-2019.

The curriculum approach is for children from birth through the early years and maintains our vision, principles and commitment to children, educators, families and communities, while aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework, Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and National Quality Standards.

It was a year of growth and change for C&K in the long day care sector, with the opening of our C&K Kedron Childcare Centre in July. The Federal Government introduced the Child Care Subsidy Package (CCS), one of the largest changes to child care entitlements in recent times. C&K successfully implemented the changes with minimal impact to families, while also creating Flexible Booking Options to allow families to make the most of their subsidised hours of care and minimise their out-of-pocket expenses.

One of C&K’s distinct strengths are our educators who, through their expertise, leadership and commitment, create the best possible learning outcomes for children. In 2018, this was not only recognised internally but externally, with a number of sector awards presented to C&K staff.

Moy Carra from White Rock won the Queensland College of Teacher’s Best New Teacher Award, and our Education Team of Alison Evans, Robyn Mercer and Nadine McAllister together with C&K’s Research Manager Pam Spall were awarded the prestigious QUT Vice Chancellor’s Award for Community Partnerships. These rewards highlight the calibre of the professionals who contribute to C&K and we are incredibly proud of them.

I extend my gratitude and appreciation to the C&K Board for entrusting me with the role of CEO. It is my honour to be in this position. There are challenges ahead for the early childhood sector. However, I believe C&K is in position to continue to grow its reputation as a sector leader.

To each and every one of our staff across all 339 centres and those who support them from within central office in Brisbane together with our regional teams, thank you for all the work you do; together we are making a difference for children, families and their communities, who will benefit for years and generations to come.

I would like to thank all our affiliate community kindergartens for their ongoing support, encouragement and dedication to C&K. We grow their organisations together, you continue to  take a seat around the table to enhance our vision, our purpose and our values.

From its beginnings in 1907, C&K has played a vital role in the care and education of children. C&K is proudly not-for-profit and as the organisation continues to grow, the core focus on providing the best possible outcomes for children and their families remains strong in every way.

Valuing inclusion and celebrating cultural diversity are key factors in C&K’s philosophy. Work continued this year to support and assist all children to access quality early childhood education.

The C&K Inclusion Approach is  the culmination of work from a Community of Practice, collaborating with the Workplace, Health & Safety and Quality & Regulation teams. This group has revised and implemented a new policy suite which includes, the Inclusion Best Practice Guide, covering wellbeing, inclusion and child protection. C&K educators across Queensland received comprehensive training to continue to support children with complex and diverse learning and behavioural needs.

The Education Wellbeing & Inclusion team were invited to present and showcase their work on inclusion, transdisciplinary practice and the Birth to Three approach at a variety of external conferences, including the Australian Early Development Census Forum, The Cairns Early Years Conference, the Early Childhood Australia National Conference, and Autism in Education Conference.

The C&K College, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) providing early childhood education and care accredited training, had over 200 students enrolled throughout the year. The college boasts a high completion rate of students, as it prepares them with skills and knowledge to both expand and commence their careers in early childhood education.

C&K’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) launched in 2016 and was a significant milestone in C&K’s journey towards embedding reconciliation and showcasing C&K’s overall commitment to Australia’s First Peoples. The two-year plan RAP involved the whole organisation engaging in a range of activities and deliverables, dedicated to building meaningful connections and relationships to embed reconciliation in everything we do.

Moving forward, C&K remains committed to honouring Australia’s First Peoples and implementing programs and practices that will build on the foundations of our RAP.

C&K’s innovating thinking and practice to meet the everchanging  needs of children and families across Queensland. We have a strong commitment to professional practice, research and supporting educators in striving for excellence in all that we do.

C&K’s level of practice in early childhood education and care is of a consistently high standard. However, each year standout performances from centres and individual staff members are acknowledged in the Innovation and Excellence Awards. These awards recognise the people and centres who work collaboratively and innovatively with their programs and embody the values of C&K.

Pedagogy and Practice – Bribie Island Kindergarten

This award recognises the work of an educator or group of educators providing consistently high standards.

Customer Service – Paul Butler

This award recognises efforts that go beyond normal expectations to meet customers’ needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and consistent efforts.

Emerging Educator – Jade Vallecera, C&K Carseldine Community Childcare Centre

This award recognises a C&K educator studying or working in the early years sector for five years or less. This award celebrates our next generation of educators who demonstrate C&K values in their everyday work.

Arts  - Bundaberg Collaborative Art Project Team

This award recognises the work of an educator, or group of educators, for excellence in the arts. The winner or winners have demonstrated excellence and innovation in arts-based projects, promoting creativity and self-expression.

Safety Commitment – Highfields & District Community Kindergarten

This award recognises the work of a C&K employee or service with consistently high standards of safety awareness and practice.

Inclusive Practice – C&K Bald Hills Community Kindergarten

This award recognises work that supports a child, group of children or family, ensuring inclusive practices which encompass dignity, equity and respect.

Service Leadership – Kasey West, C&K Wilston Community Childcare Centre

This award recognises exemplary leadership by an Educator, Director or Management Committee. It showcases efforts that go beyond the expectations of daily service operation. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and exemplary efforts.

Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Early Childhood

Education and Care – C&K Bald Hills Community Kindergarten

This award is presented to a very high achieving individual or service who encompasses C&K values and works diligently to achieve key strategic priorities set by C&K. The winner of this award has gained great respect in the community, continues to be innovative in practice and is a role model for all.