Chermside Early Education Centre

Name: Shani Cai

Tell us about your career in Early Childhood. How long have you been working in the industry?
I’ve been passionate about early childhood education since I was a teenager caring for my cousins. My journey began in 2011 as a student and then Assistant Educator, however over the years, I’ve grown into roles such as Lead Educator, Teacher, Educational Leader, and Assistant Director. Each step has deepened my love for nurturing young minds and supporting their development.

Tell us about the relevant qualifications you hold that assists you in your position?
I have earned a Certificate III and a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, along with an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. I’m a Bachelor Qualified Early Childhood Teacher with a current Teacher Registration Card and Blue Card Exemption. Additionally, I keep my certifications in First Aid, I’m Alert Food Safety, CPR, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis up-to-date, and have completed training in Child Protection and Fire Safety. I am committed to continuous professional development to ensure I provide the highest standard of care and educational programs for young children, while also supporting my team in their roles.

Tell us about the relevant qualifications you hold that assists you in your position?
I have earned a Certificate III and a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, along with an Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management. ‘m a Bachelor Qualified Early Childhood Teacher with a current Teacher Registration Card and Blue Card Exemption. Additionally, I keep my certifications in First Aid, I’m Alert Food Safety, CPR, Asthma, and Anaphylaxis up-to-date, and have completed training in Child Protection and Fire Safety. I am committed to continuous professional development to ensure I provide the highest standard of care and educational programs for young children, while also supporting my team in their roles.

When did you first join the QCCS team?
My journey with QCCS actually began in my infancy! I attended Chermside Early Education Centre as a baby and completed my early education and kindergarten there. In 2010, I returned to Chermside for my Certificate III practical experience whilst in High School. Officially, I began working at the Prince Charles Service in 2011 while completing my Diploma. I spent nine wonderful years teaching at Prince Charles before moving to our Ashgrove Centre at The Woods in 2020. Now, in 2024, I feel a sense of coming full circle as I return home to Chermside, this time as the Director.

What do you find most rewarding about your career in Early Childhood?
I lead with my heart and am deeply dedicated to the growth and well-being of children. I am committed to creating a loving and inclusive community where every child and family feels valued and welcomed. Providing high-quality education and care to give children the best start in life is immensely rewarding. The first thousand days are crucial, and I strive to inspire young minds, fostering a sense of belonging and greatness. My core values of respect, communication, and inclusivity help create a safe environment where every child feels heard and valued. I envision a future of continued growth, innovation, and a commitment to unlocking every child’s potential. Rita Pierson’s words resonate deeply with me: “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.

What do you find most rewarding about your career in Early Childhood?

I lead with my heart and am deeply dedicated to the growth and well-being of children. I am committed to creating a loving and inclusive community where every child and family feels valued and welcomed. Providing high-quality education and care to give children the best start in life is immensely rewarding. The first thousand days are crucial, and I strive to inspire young minds, fostering a sense of belonging and greatness. My core values of respect, communication, and inclusivity help create a safe environment where every child feels heard and valued. I envision a future of continued growth, innovation, and a commitment to unlocking every child’s potential. Rita Pierson’s words resonate deeply with me: “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.

Why should families choose Chermside Early Education Centre?
At Chermside, we pride ourselves on being a small, 75-place service where every child and family truly matters. Our mission is to support your child and set them up for a lifelong journey of success. Our team is our greatest strength, fostering a collaborative leadership model and celebrating diversity. We value each member’s unique skills and knowledge and prioritise professional development to ensure our team is always equipped to provide the best care and education for our little ones.

Why do you choose to work for QCCS?
I choose to work for QCCS because they genuinely care about their employees. They offer fantastic incentives and are always supportive of upskilling educators, providing opportunities for professional growth, and exploring different career paths. QCCS has a robust and supportive upper management team and a network of sister services, creating a large support system. This environment allows me to thrive and continually improve in my role, knowing I have the backing of an incredible team.

Welcome to Chermside Early Education Centre and Preschool. Our Centre is located in a quiet street off Gympie Road. We are one block away from Westfield Chermside and a short 650m walk from the Wavell Primary School.

We have been rated as an Exceeding Centre by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)!

Our aim is to provide the highest standard of care to you, the families, as well as to the children who are within our care. Our Centre celebrates diversity, welcoming families with different cultures and backgrounds.

Our hours of operation are from 6:30am to 6pm. We are open Monday through to Friday, 52 weeks a year (excluding public holidays). Our Centre opened in June 1994 and caters for 75 children aged from birth to school age. 

We offer a free courtesy bus service which transports children to and from the local schools in the area. We also have the option to transport children to and from home for families who have no access to transport or in emergency situations (conditions apply). The school we currently service is Wavell Heights State School.

As security is one of our priorities, our Centre has a security door access system which only allows authorised parents/guardians to drop off and collect their child/ren from the Centre via a personal pin code.

At QCCS we understand the importance of building relationships with the Aboriginal Communities by valuing their histories, cultures and their people to help build a more respecting and understanding future for all Australians. Acknowledging Country is a common practice in our services where we respect the continuing connection of Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners and Custodians to the land on which our services stands.

Our Team:
Our team are qualified, friendly and caring staff who are committed to continually improving their skills and knowledge by frequently attending in-service training and seminars. All staff are required to have an up to date First Aid, CPR and Blue Card. All new employees of QCCS attend an Induction Session prior to commencing at any of our Child Care Centres; thus, ensuring they will be well equipped to step into their new role. In addition, we provide regular professional opportunities as well as monthly Centre Director and staff meetings to ensure that all our employees are up to date with industry developments.

Our Centre aims to be at the forefront of industry developments and trends. Therefore, at QCCS your child will benefit from an array of experiences:

• Interactive smart boards
• Dynamic Emergent Curriculum based on the Early Years Learning Framework and Kindergarten Guidelines
• Individual child portfolios. QCCS realises how important it is to be kept informed on your child’s progress and daily activities.
• Healthy nutritious meals including breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
• Sun Safety is a priority with a large percentage of the playgrounds covered with artificial and natural shade. Each Centre aims to avoid sun exposure between 9am-3pm to give the children that added level of sun protection.
• Transition to school programs along with transition statements

Sustainability Focus:
Our Centres are passionate about teaching sustainable behaviours, instilling the knowledge and values that help support sustainable environments. Just some of the sustainable practices that you can expect to see in our services include:

• Educating our children in the use of compost systems within their rooms
• Child tended vegetable and herb gardens, sharing our harvest with families and children
• Appointment of our children to monitor the electricity and water use within our Centre
• Use of recycled materials in our art and craft activities
• Use of donated items by our local communities and businesses
• Use of equipment made from recycled materials

We are committed to the implementation of the National Early Years Learning Framework and operate an Emergent Curriculum. Our program is based on the individual needs of the children in our care. Our program is balanced and developmentally appropriate. It has variations, providing for a wide range of individual experiences. These experiences give the children the opportunity to make choices and take on new challenges. Our centre programs are based on the individual child, thus ensuring it does not exclude any one child. Our goal is to inspire delight, curiosity, and inquiry in the classroom. We are very proud to offer the below to all our families at no additional costs:

Kindergarten Program
Our Centre is pleased to be operating a Queensland Government approved Kindergarten Program with a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. This program is aimed at preparing our pre-prep children for primary school. Our Centre implements the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline and focuses on building upon children’s learning and development including literacy and numeracy skills as well as exploring the foundations of mathematics and science. We are committed to developing and building on community partnerships with local schools, Teachers and families to ensure children are being well prepared for their school years.

Families with eligible children attending an approved Kindergarten Program may be entitled to a QKFS Plus Kindy Support Subsidy to assist with the out of pocket expenses of attending the program. To be eligible, families must either:

• Hold a current Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Card or Australian Government Pension Concession Card 
• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island
• Have three or more children enrolled in the same year (must be the same age)

Your Centre Director can provide you with further information regarding this subsidy.

Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)
Our Centre also boasts a second language program (French), we are proud participants in the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) initiative. ELLA is an Australian Government initiative aimed at reviving the teaching of foreign languages in Australian schools, with the aim of significantly increasing the number of Year 12 students studying a language other than English within a decade.

Hey Dee Ho Music Program
Our professional Music Program is facilitated by ‘Hey Dee Ho Educational Services’. Hey Dee Ho visits our Centre fortnightly. The program is an educational music experience where children learn the concepts of beat, rhythm, tempo, pitch and dynamics in a play-based environment. https://heydeeho.com.au/ourprograms/#music

Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words and is known to accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression.

Hey Dee Ho understands that each child has their own unique set of needs and interests. They have developed a range of activities to address the varied developmental needs of all children from birth. From relaxation and mindfulness to playing musical instruments to high energy dances, Hey Dee Ho programs engage and enhance children’s learning and fine motor development while giving them plenty of opportunity for fun.

Little Scientists
Our Centre is proud to be a Certified Little Scientists House. This program is run daily by demonstrating our commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. It is designed to recognise services and schools that promote an active learning environment, incorporating best practice elements such as inquiry-based learning, metacognition and co-construction.

Barefoot Nursery

Our Centre runs a ‘Barefoot Nursery’. Upon entry to the Nursery all Educators, guardians and visitors are required to remove their shoes or place a covering over them. Our babies are sensory explorers; therefore, it is important to us to keep our nursery room floors and environment clean and hygienic. The exceptional cleanliness of the ‘Barefoot Nursery’ concept allows our infants to freely investigate their surroundings without being exposed to unnecessary germs and bacteria.

Veggie Fun Program
Veggie Fun for Everyone is a 12-week food literacy program run in our Kindergarten Room, created by our very own Healthy Cooking Company designed to develop a positive attitude toward vegetables in children. The Kindergarten children will be encouraged to explore vegetables, leading to positive experiences and self-directed tasting.

Perceptual Motor Program
Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) activities form a part of our daily routine as your child’s Educators aim to help them become physically active and promote healthy growth as well as development of bones, muscles, flexibility, balance, posture and cardiovascular fitness. It can also help establish connections between different parts of the brain that develop memory and language.

Swimming Program
Chermside Early Education Centre has partnered with a local swim centre to provide swimming lessons for children aged 3 to 5 years. The aim of swimming lessons is to teach children how to be safe in and around water. The program runs weekly, all year round, in 5-week blocks and taught by fully qualified swimming instructors.

We believe food ingredients should come from the kitchen, not from a lab. From this belief came the inspiration to open our own production kitchen, the Healthy Cooking Company. We aim to create and promote natural and wholesome food with a number of health benefits:

• Organic baby food
• Preservative Free
• No artificial flavours
• Low in sodium & refined sugar
• Naturally sweetened with honey

We promise that our nutrition labels will be free of numbers, so there will be no need to decipher nasty food additives. We are dedicated to providing delicious food that your children will love. Parents can rest assured that their little ones are being provided with a good start with healthy, nutritious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea meals provided.

As Educators, we believe in teaching children that physical activity can be fun as well as good for our bodies and minds. As a result we coordinate exciting exercise programs within our centres that have been developed by our Sports Dietitian in consultation with Primary School Physical Education Teachers. We want the children in our care to experience the numerous health benefits that regular physical activity can provide such as:

• Stronger muscles and bones
• Long term positive attitude towards exercise
• Reduction in the likelihood of becoming overweight
• Reduction in the likelihood of developing illnesses and diseases

Through this we aim to incorporate at least three hours of physical activity each day into our room routines and programs with:

• Morning physical activity routine
• General indoor physical activity
• Outdoor experiences