From the Executive Director

2026 has already started strong for us at the NBCA.  

We kicked the year off with an All-Staff Professional Development Day on the 5^th January where we embraced our purpose “For Children, Together”. Throughout the day we listened, engaged in traditional and fun ways to solidify implementation of our strategic plan, but also to refresh on policies and practices. Professional Development days are important elements of our offering as they are the only times when all our staff can get together and focus collaboratively to support personal and professional growth outside of the classroom. Teams then returned to welcome children and families back on the 6^th and we have been a hive of activity since.  

It was fantastic to invite Nornie Bero to speak with our team and share her story, not only her Torres Strait heritage and childhood, but also her passion for Indigenous flavours and the entrepreneurial drive that has shaped her journey. She offered valuable insights that encouraged us to reflect on cultural awareness, the role of storytelling in our practice, and the ways food can help us honour and celebrate identity. For me, hearing how she established her stall at the South Melbourne Markets was a real highlight, especially having worked nearby when I first moved to Australia in 2011. 

Given that we anticipate the structure of our organisation changing from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee, we have also started the year with consultation beginning for our new name. Feedback has been received, and we look forward to hearing from families through January to be able to go to a Special General Meeting soon. Stay tuned for an update.  

While we are following the discussions and scrutiny following the release of documents from ACT providers, our focus has not diverted from our core responsibilities in caring and educating children, and we are working to not be too disheartened by some of the stories circulating. We have switched providers to a new EAP service where staff and families can access to support wellbeing and are pleased to hear that the service is being taken up as it’s needed. 

Beyond the day to day, work is taking place to set up our new subcommittees to support strengthened governance. Our Quality and Risk Committee (QARC) met in December, and our Finance, Audit and Investment Committee (FAIC) will meet in February for its inaugural meeting. We look forward to these committees gaining momentum to deliver enhanced scrutiny and governance to support what we anticipate is strengthened regulatory requirements.  

While we are a hive of work, I have been reminding the team that it is January, and to still enjoy the summer as much as possible. It has been great to apply my own feedback and I’m writing this following a lovely meeting outside in a shaded community space. We are so lucky to live and work on Ngunnawal Country and experience the seasons each year.  

The next few weeks are bittersweet for us as we welcome new children and families and say farewell to those heading off to start Kinder. We can't wait to see where your journeys of lifelong learning take you!

To all of our families, we are excited to spend this year together, supporting our children.