SDN Children's Services

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Glebe, NSW
SDN Children's Services

A non-for-profit with 120 years dedicated to the wellbeing, learning and development of children.

SDN Children’s Services is a not-for-profit organisation that has been providing quality early childhood education, care and family support since 1905. We are proud of our long history of working with children and their families, working with communities , and supporting the development of practitioners and children’s services. With around 700 staff across 36 sites in Sydney, regional NSW and the

ACT, we are one of Australia’s most respected children’s services organisations. SDN Children’s Services is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). SDN has a wholly owned subsidiary SDN Child and Family Services Pty Ltd which is endorsed as a Public Benevolent Institution and is responsible for managing government program contracts and services, and programs funded by donations.

19/08/2026

The countdown is officially on... just 10 days until SDN Family Day 2026!

Registrations are still open for this event! If you have a friend who may be interested to discover how SDN can support their child’s wellbeing, learning and development, please encourage them to register and come along.

📅 Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
⏰ Time: 11am – 1pm
📍 Early Learning services across the SDN village

Register here: https://ow.ly/cAkx50Zziqb

We are looking forward to seeing your family very soon, to explore, experience and enjoy Our World of Colour. 🎉

18/08/2026

At SDN Linthorpe St, Newtown, children have been exploring the Dharawal seasons, learning about the natural signs that mark changes throughout the year. 🌿

For the past few years, educators and children have observed seasonal changes through the behaviour of local plants and animals, both in our centre garden and out in the community. Each season, children help create a display that highlights the weather patterns, colours and signs they have noticed around them.

Through these experiences, children are developing a deeper connection with the natural world while learning that Aboriginal knowledge is living, valuable and grounded in generations of observation and understanding. 🍃

By noticing, wondering and learning from Country, children are building respect for Aboriginal culture and strengthening their relationship with the environment around them. 🌱

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Curious about how children learn through connection to Country, culture and community at SDN Linthorpe St, Newtown? Join us for Family Day 2026 - Sat 29 August, 11am to 1pm.

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.sdn.org.au/family-day-2026/?story=/sdn-stories/family-day-sdn-linthorpe-st-newtown/

17/08/2026

National Science Week is here! 🔬

Science doesn't have to be complicated. Some of the most exciting learning experiences can happen right at home using everyday items from your kitchen or pantry.

That's why we've rounded up three simple, hands-on experiments that make learning fun while introducing children to important scientific concepts through play:

✨ Watch raisins "dance" in a fizzy drink and learn about gases and buoyancy: https://ow.ly/gIZJ50Zzit8

🌈 Create a colourful rainbow with the walking water experiment and explore how water moves: https://ow.ly/OR8N50Zzitb

🎨 Turn ordinary milk into a swirling masterpiece while discovering how different substances react with one another: https://ow.ly/NUZn50Zzit9

These activities are easy to set up, engaging for children of all ages, and a wonderful way to celebrate National Science Week together as a family.

13/08/2026

At SDN, creating environments where children feel safe, valued and respected is at the heart of everything we do. Across our village, we are committed to continuously strengthening our child safe culture through reflection, learning and ongoing professional development. ✅

Recently, members of the leadership team at SDN Ngallia, Lidcombe attended the Child Safe Roadshow, delivered by the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian and organised by Cumberland City Council. The workshop brought together educators and services from across the local community to deepen understanding of the Child Safe Standards and share ideas for creating safer environments for children.

A key message was that child safety is everyone's responsibility. By listening to children's voices, embedding child safe practices into everyday interactions, and regularly reflecting on our work, we can help ensure children feel secure, heard and respected. 🥰

The SDN Ngallia team will share their learnings with colleagues and explore ways to further strengthen their child safe culture. Because at SDN, child safety isn't a one-time conversation. It's an ongoing commitment to every child, every family and every community we serve. 💙

12/08/2026

SDN Pyrmont children recently enjoyed a scavenger hunt adventure at Pirrama Park, exploring the local environment while making the most of a beautiful day outdoors. 🌿

After creating their own scavenger hunt maps and using Dilly bags (from the Aboriginal word 'dilli'), children set off in search of treasures throughout the park. Along the way, they discovered pine cones, sticks, gum nuts and pieces of bark, sparking rich conversations about the natural world and all it has to offer.

Children's curiosity shone as they wondered about the trees, watched seagulls, and asked thoughtful questions like, "Where are the butterflies today?" 🦋 These moments of exploration encourage observation, critical thinking and a deeper connection with nature.

Excursions like these provide valuable opportunities for children to connect with the natural environment and the local Gadigal Land, while fostering a sense of belonging, respect and connection to their community. 🍃

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Want to join SDN Pyrmont on their next scavenger hunt? Join us for their Family Day 2026 event on Sat 29 August, 11am-1pm, to learn more.

Register here: https://www.sdn.org.au/family-day-2026/?story=/sdn-stories/family-day-sdn-pyrmont/

11/08/2026

Children and educators at SDN Kensington recently enjoyed a wonderful visit to the UNSW Music Room, made possible through the collaboration of talented UNSW music students and one of our wonderful families. 🎵

The students performed a lively selection of songs, with favourites like Sleeping Bunnies and Baby Shark inspiring smiles, singing, dancing and plenty of excitement. Children were captivated by the energetic drum beats, the beautiful melodies of the grand piano, and the opportunity to explore a range of musical instruments in a fun and interactive environment.

Music plays an important role in the early years, supporting language development, creativity, confidence and social connection. Experiences like these encourage curiosity, self-expression and a lifelong love of learning through play. ✨

A heartfelt thank you to the UNSW music students and our family for making this special experience possible. We look forward to more opportunities to connect with our local community through meaningful learning experiences! 🧡

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Thinking about joining our SDN Kensington community? Registrations for their Family Day 2026 event are still open 👉 Register here: https://www.sdn.org.au/family-day-2026/?story=/sdn-stories/family-day-sdn-kensington-at-unsw-sydney/

06/08/2026

Early Learning Matters Week 2026 continues! Our SDN Riverwood preschool children enjoyed an exciting excursion to their local library, celebrating and nurturing their love of learning through books and stories.

After reading a story called 'Community Superheroes', children learnt about librarians as local community heroes who help us learn. They were excited to visit their own local library and discover all it has to offer. At the library, they enjoyed reading 'Finding Kindness' and borrowed a couple of books to take back and read at the centre. 📚

Extending children's learning beyond the classroom, the excursion demonstrated how everyday community spaces provide rich opportunities for exploration, literacy, and a sense of belonging.

It's also a wonderful reminder that learning happens everywhere! 🤩

05/08/2026

SDN Kingsford at UNSW Sydney runs regular yoga classes to support children’s health, wellbeing and movement. 🧘🏽‍♀️

Our educational program recognises the value of movement, balance and coordination in children’s development, becoming particularly important during the preschool age. In the preschool room, we recognise children’s needs for confident, warm and patient support, to nurture their growing independence and identity of who they are.

Embedding mindful practices, including breathing, stretching and balance through movement, helps children bring their attention to their minds and bodies. Yoga practices also support children in managing their emotions and in building healthy habits from a young age. 💚

04/08/2026

At SDN, early learning is a journey. It's more than about getting school-ready, it's about getting life-ready too! 🙌🏾

Across our SDN early learning centres, we are proud to have a dedicated preschool program that fosters children's creativity and social connections, whilst prepares children for a smooth transition to school and beyond. 🏫

Our preschool program follows an evidence-backed, play-based learning approach and uses Australia's Early Years Learning Framework to explore a diverse curriculum, that spans from science to social justice. 🤩

Learn more: https://www.sdn.org.au/our-educational-program/

03/08/2026

SDN is proud to join early childhood professionals, families and community leaders around Australia to celebrate early childhood education and care for Week 2026, organised by Early Childhood Australia.

Early learning matters because the first 5 years matter and last a lifetime. The early years of a child's life are a period of rapid change where experiences shape identity and change the structure of the brain. Quality play-based learning, led by responsive teachers and educators, helps to amplify children's natural capacity for learning.

During this time, we also acknowledge the importance of 'Learning Through Play' in children's lives as a vehicle for wellbeing, learning and development. At SDN, we recognise this importance and see play as not just something fun; but a basic right. We know that play allows children to discover, be creative, use their imagination and learn important skills.

Address

Level 3, 19 – 37 Greek Street
Glebe, NSW
2037

Telephone

+611300831445

Website

https://www.sdn.org.au/

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