SDN Children's Services

Last week, SDN Crookwell Preschool welcomed families to our Info Night as we prepare for 2027 enrolments.🌟

It was a wonderful evening of conversation and connection. Guests enjoyed light refreshments, met our experienced team, and explored our learning environments.

Children especially loved meeting the centres furry friends, adding a fun surprise to the evening 🐾

If you missed out or would like to learn more, visit: https://www.sdn.org.au/services/our-centres/sdn-crookwell-preschool/

At SDN Kingsford at UNSW Sydney, we celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime with Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Bowler! 📖

Children arrived dressed in their favourite jerseys, joined by educators proudly wearing team colours to mark the occasion. 💙

Our preschoolers enjoyed the live stream story experience, sparking imagination, language and conversation. The story then came to life outdoors, where our little “soccer stars” took to the field for energetic, team-based play - practising passing, coordination and cooperation just like true teammates. ⚽

A joyful day of stories, sport and connection, strengthening early literacy, social skills and a strong sense of community through play. 🌱

SDN recognises the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and custodians of the land. We also recognise that as a result of past experiences of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities experience particular disadvantage, but that we can play a part in reconciliation.

SDN's vision is for an equitable world where all children thrive. In our work, we take action to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families to have the same life chances, choices and opportunities as non-Indigenous peoples. We are committed to listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to continuing to advocate for inclusion and inclusive attitudes.

Reconciliation is not yet a reality in Australia, and now is a good time to take action towards achieving it. Take the time this Reconciliation Week to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to learn, and to share what you learn.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is ‘All In for Reconciliation’, reminding us that reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility. In the spirit of reconciliation, we encourage our community to keep learning, listening and taking meaningful action towards a more reconciled Australia.

In 1997 the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission released their landmark Bringing Them Home Report, “a tribute to the strengths and struggles of many thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by forcible removal.”

This report recommended, among other things, a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples for past wrongs, and particularly to the Stolen Generations who had suffered significant grief and trauma at the hands of government policy.
While a formal apology didn’t come until 2008, a grassroots movement acknowledging the pain and suffering of the Stolen Generations began with the first Sorry Day in 1998, the ‘people’s apology’.

On , SDN reflects on the trauma and disadvantage that persist as a result of past government policies. We remain committed to our Ngara Nanga Mai (listen and dream) strategy as we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and staff to provide culturally safe, inclusive services for children and young people.

Reconciliation is not achieved by governments alone, but by all peoples working together. National Sorry Day is a chance for us all to remember the past, and to look to the future.

Earlier this month, SDN Pyrmont joined the local community for a wonderful Open Day event in the heart of Pyrmont ✨

The event was filled with hands-on activities and connection across the precinct, from library experiences and local community stalls to a special address from the Lord Mayor and plenty of shared food bringing everyone together.

At our SDN Pyrmont stall, our team connected with new and familiar families, sharing more about our enrolment process, learning program, and the history of SDN Pyrmont and the wider SDN Village. It was also lovely to see SDN children (past and present) and their families enjoying The Very Hungry Caterpillar crafts, drawing, and playdough together 🐛🎨

Thank you to everyone who came and spent time with us 🧡