Our Journey

Panania Preschool-Kindergarten operates within the local Panania community. We are a passionate, family owned and operated service providing quality loving care for over 52 years. Caring for only 36 children from 2 – 5 years old, we pride ourselves on really getting to know our families and children to deliver the best possible early childhood experience we can

Meet Kara

Hi, my name is Kara and I’m the Owner of Panania Preschool-Kindergarten. I’ve been working in the Early childhood field since 1992, although my connection to children developed much earlier – even as a toddler would line up dolls and “play school”.

Throughout my career, I have worked in numerous positions in the sector and attained my Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).

I spent my primary and high school years babysitting and went to Bankstown and Randwick Tafe part-time from 1992-1995 where I completed a Diploma of Social Studies (Child Care).

During these years I worked full-time at in a childcare centre in Panania as an educator. Once I had completed my studies I took on various positions at local centres before becoming the Director of a Child Care Centre at Lugarno in 1995.

During this time as a Director, I decided to further my knowledge and learning about children and studied part time for 6 years and graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), graduating with a High Distinction.

It was during my time studying at university my love for Steiner Education. Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner recognised the need for education to enable children to become free and autonomous human beings, able to impart purpose and direction in their lives. This approach is highly valued to develop flexible and agile thinking and an ability to collaborate and thrive in the 21st century.

In 1999 while studying at university, I took on a Coordinators position at a Before and After School Care (not-for-profit organisation) to gain experience with school aged children and further develop my leadership skills. To this day, I am a consultant to the team at the same Before & After School Care Centre.

I moved into teaching in public schools and enjoyed the experience, always enjoying teaching Kindergarten and year 1 class. In 2013 I was asked to widen my teaching knowledge and become a hearing-iterant teacher working alongside children with hearing loss in both primary and high schools. This was a wonderful opportunity although it wasn’t long before I missed connecting and teaching the younger children and decided to leave teaching in schools and return to my passion for early childhood settings.

Testimonials

Both my kids have attended this Centre after moving into the area and have loved it. My youngest is going to school next year and I’m going to really miss the girls as will my daughter! All the staff are amazing, my kids have made some great friends and it feels like a family. There are constant activities and events going on and they always go above and beyond my expectations!

My son has been attending here since the start of 2017 and have found the staff to be absolutely amazing and so very compassionate towards the kids.. Highly recommended you won’t find better care for your child/ren.

To all the staff. I really cannot thank you enough for the support and guidance that you have provided me on my professional journey in Early Childhood teaching. My respect and appreciation for woman like you has reached an ultimate high. It was an amazing 10 weeks and a great pleasure to have worked beside you. I was lucky to have been placed at your centre and have learnt an immense amount of knowledge about what it takes to be exceeding and to cater for a wonderful bunch of children.

Thank you or the opportunity to work alongside you and the amazing families. You have shown me just how loving and supportive this industry can be. You have allowed me to grow beyond measure and pushed me out of my comfort zone to many times to count! You have made me a better educator and in turn a better mum. Lastly thank you (and the girls) for all the love and encouragement you have offered my son. He loves coming to school and this is a testament to the centre you have created.

We just want to thank you for the amazing work you all have done over the year. My daughter has had a fantastic time and built wonderful relationships with both staff and kids. We feel very safe leaving her in your care and I want to thank you all for providing such a high level of care. Over the last few years you have always gone above and beyond when it comes to looking after our kids. From the time spent taking them to the park, library, the graduation and Christmas parties, the effort that is put into making the kids happy is second to none.

You have been nothing short of amazing, you have not just been the owner of a daycare but a second family to us. You should be so proud of the Centre you have created, it brings so much love and happiness to our kids’ lives every day and I honestly cant put into words how much that means to dean & myself even though we still have miss sassy with you for years to come, we want you to know how much gratitude we have for you and the girls. Thanks again!

Hi Kara, just wanted to send a note to reiterate how wonderful your team is. We’ve been toilet training Elena for the last 3 days and needless to say we were a bit anxious sending her to childcare today. I just got off the phone with her educators and they were so supportive, gave me a really thorough update as to how Elena was going, gave me some additional tips and were just so gracious with their time.

Thank you for the love and care you have shown Zoe during her time at your centre, you have created a beautiful, inspiring and creative Centre that encourages all the children to learn & feel loved and also supported, what a fantastic start to life and education Zoe has had, we will be forever grateful to al all of you

Dear Beth, Kara, and all the amazing educators, thank you for being so caring and loving to Elsie, she has grown and developed so much during this past year, and we have you all to thank for that! We are so grateful to you all and feel unbelievably lucky to be a part of the family.

It is such a wonderful and precious experience for Jayleen to be with your wonderful people for the past of three years. Though she will have so many educators in the future, I am sure she will never forget you girls who instilled love and courage to her.

To the staff, we cannot thank you all enough for the work you have collectively done for our son. He began this year full of anxiety, and with your patience, guidance, and tenderness he has evolved into a move settled and resilient young boy.

Harvey has enjoyed his best times at your Centre, and we have been incredibly and superbly impressed with your nurturing, caring, and professional approach to childcare. Thank you, once again, so much for all you have done in making our kid feel comfortable, cared for, loved for, and most importantly, safe. Thank you so much for your time and consideration in this matter.