Goodstart Early Learning Ingle Farm – Roopena Street is our State Winner in South Australia, with a KindiCare Rating of 9.4, and it’s the people that make this place so special.

Centre Director, Kelly Brennan says, “Our dedicated staff are the backbone of our centre's success. They bring passion, expertise and genuine care to their roles, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for our children.” Kelly explains that, “We prioritise individualised attention, ensuring that each child's unique needs and abilities are recognised and nurtured; we are committed to ensuring that every child who walks through our doors has the best possible start in life.” To help the children achieve their potential and enjoy every day at Goodstart Ingle Farm, the team deliver a comprehensive play-based curriculum that supports their cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Kelly says, “We provide a stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environment where children can engage in age-appropriate activities that promote curiosity, creativity and a love for learning; and our educators continually update their skills and knowledge to stay at the forefront of early childhood education trends and practices.” Culture is also really important to this childcare community. Kelly and her team do their very best to make Goodstart Ingle Farm a happy, healthy, communicative and secure place to be, and they also recognise the importance of acknowledging and respecting the rich cultural heritage of Australia's First Nations peoples. Indigenous culture is reflected in their books, instruments, special guests and the art hanging upon their walls; and Kelly says, “Through meaningful engagement and education, we are actively working towards fostering an inclusive and culturally sensitive environment where all children can learn and grow together, embracing the principles of reconciliation and unity.” This focus is beneficial for the children, the centre and society as a whole; and Goodstart Ingle Farm’s efforts have definitely been noticed. Last month, they won Goodstart’s SA/NT Goodie Award for Advancing Reconciliation, and Kelly says their investment in Indigenous understanding helps to ensure that our youngest generation grows up with a real respect for First Nations people, and all people. Great communication and regular reflection also help to make this centre successful. There’s a lot of two-way communication with families and colleagues, and Goodstart Ingle Farm regularly evaluates its programs and services. Wins are celebrated and challenges worked through, and Kelly says, “We seek feedback from our families and staff to identify areas for enhancement, and we are committed to self-assessment and growth.” Families are also actively involved in their child’s early learning journey, because the team understands that a strong partnership between home and the centre enhances a child's development; and that same door the children first walked through, remains open to their whole family. Feel-good events, like Easter, Diwali, Christmas and Grandparents Day are enjoyed by many, and Goodstart Ingle Farm also gets behind those important, more serious events, like R U OK? Day, Day for Daniel and National Sorry Day. All in all, Kelly is proud of the way her team always goes above and beyond to deliver the best possible early learning experience, and all of her people are thrilled to have their passion and professionalism recognised with a 2023 KindiCare Excellence Award. Kelly says, “Winning the State Award for South Australia is a tremendous honour for us at Ingle Farm,” and here at KindiCare, we get the feeling that every person who walks through their door is better for it.