28/05/2026
✨ Celebrating 25 Years with Natasha! ✨
Today we recognise an incredible milestone — Natasha (Flynn ECEC Director) has dedicated 25 years to North Belconnen Community Association Inc. NBCA!
Natasha, thank you for your unwavering commitment, care, and the lasting impact you’ve made on our community. Your passion and dedication over the years have supported so many children, families, and colleagues — and we are truly grateful for everything you do.
To celebrate this amazing milestone, we asked Natasha to answer a few questions:
1. What first inspired you to work in early childhood education?
Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to work with children. I was drawn to early childhood education because it offered the opportunity to support and witness children’s learning and development during the crucial first five years of life. That passion and belief in the value of early childhood education has stayed with me ever since.
2. How has the sector changed since you first started?
Since I first started working in early childhood education in 1996, the sector has changed significantly. In those early days, the focus was largely on play-based experiences and simply enjoying time with children. Documentation and programming were often centred around educator-chosen topics such as seasons, animals, or special events, with less emphasis on individual learning outcomes and formal planning processes.
Over the years, the profession has become far more recognised for its importance in children’s development and lifelong learning. There is now a much stronger understanding of how critical the early years are, and this has led to the introduction of more regulations, frameworks, and quality standards that services must adhere to. Frameworks such as the Early Years Learning Framework have helped guide intentional teaching, reflective practice, and child-centred learning.
3. What do you enjoy most about your role today?
What I enjoy most about my role today is the variety it brings. No two days are ever the same, which keeps the work both engaging and rewarding. One day I might be supporting teachers and educators, helping teams build positive learning environments and develop their practice. Another day I may be working closely with families, building strong relationships and supporting them through their child’s early learning journey. I also enjoy the broader aspects of the role, such as applying for grants, developing new initiatives, and finding ways to improve outcomes for children, families, and staff.
4. What has been one of your most memorable moments at NBCA?
There have been many memorable moments during my time at NBCA, but one that stands out most was being nominated for and receiving a Child Development Award from the ACT Government. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and a proud milestone in my career.
What made the recognition especially meaningful was knowing that the nomination reflected the positive impact my work had on children, families, and the broader early childhood community. Early childhood education is such a collaborative profession, so the award also felt like recognition of the dedicated teams and supportive relationships I have been fortunate to work alongside throughout my journey at NBCA.
Moments like this reinforce why I am so passionate about the sector and remind me of the importance of advocating for high-quality early childhood education and care.
Thank you again, Natasha, for 25 years of dedication, care, and service — we are so lucky to have you as part of NBCA!
