BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MAY 14, 2024

A great reputation is a very powerful thing, and it’s not something that you can magic up overnight.  

Instead, it takes time and commitment to build the kind of reputation that will set you apart, and City Kidz Pre-School is one early learning service that’s established itself as a very special place, despite being in a very crowded market. 

City Kidz Pre-School is located in Strathfield, and although they’ve got 156 centres within a five kilometre radius, they’ve managed to stand out from the crowd in the best way possible. 

City Kidz Pre-School is known for its fantastic team, happy children and incredible learning programs, and Co-Centre Director, Madison Hodgkins says, “In the 36 years since we first opened, City Kidz has become synonymous with quality education in Strathfield.” 

So, how have they done it? 

Well, as with most success, it’s taken sustained effort to build this stellar reputation, and the following six factors have enabled City Kidz Pre-School to win a place in the heart and mind of its childcare community: 

1. City Kidz Pre-School has stayed true to its original vision.  

Madison’s mum and Co-Centre Director, Anastasia Hodgkins, opened City Kidz Pre-School back in 1988, and she brought substantial teaching experience, and a clear vision, with her.  

Anastasia wanted to create a positive, stimulating and inclusive early learning experience for every single child at her preschool, and to this day, Anastasia, Madison and their team have stayed true to this vision.  

Madison says, “Our educators are very experienced and passionate about providing the highest quality care and education for every child.”  

She explains that, “Between them, our educators have a combined total of over 115 years’ experience in the early education field, and for us, this isn’t just a job. We all genuinely want to make a difference in children’s lives, and over time, we’ve earnt a reputation as a leader in early childhood education.”  

Photo: Anastasia Hodgkins, Director and Early Childhood Teacher since 1988 and Madison Hodgkins, Director and Early Childhood Teacher since 2013.  

2. City Kidz Pre-School provides consistency.  

Early learning services come and go, and early childhood professionals even more so, but at City Kidz Pre-School, the centre is very much as it has always been, and the staff rarely leave. 

Madison says, “We’re in our original building, running the same programs that we have found to be tried and true. Our wonderful team doesn’t chop and change frequently, and we have staff members who’ve been with us since 1988, 1995 and 2000.” 

Parents love knowing that their children can spend years in a stable setting, with a reliable team of educators; and although there’s some ‘sameness’ at City Kidz, there’s definitely no stagnation.   

Anastasia and Madison consider their staff to be their greatest asset, and they do a lot to nurture and empower them with regular professional development, and opportunities for training, mentorship and growth. 

Madison says, “We ensure our staff have the knowledge, skills and support they need to excel in their roles and provide the best possible care and education for our children,” and this doesn’t go unnoticed by parents.  

3. City Kidz Pre-School is centred around its families. 

As well as being family owned and operated, City Kidz Pre-School is also family-focused, and relationship-building is a real priority for the team.  

They take the time to create strong connections with families and children by fostering open communication, trust and collaboration. 

Madison says, “We actively involve parents in their child's education, and regularly seek their input to create a sense of partnership that enriches the overall experience for both children and families.”  

This is beneficial for the people involved, and it also helps to boost City Kidz’ reputation, because parents like to share these great experiences, both online and in person.

4. City Kidz Pre-School cares for children in an individualised way. 

The team look after no more than 38 children per day, and the small size of the centre and consistent staffing means that educators can really devote themselves to the curriculum and kids. 

Madison says, “We recognise that every child is unique, with their own strengths, interests, needs and abilities. And by tuning in to the individual needs of every child and family, we create tailored learning experiences that support each child's development and foster a sense of belonging and confidence.” 

This personalised approach is great for each child’s early learning, school readiness and future potential; and it also supports City Kidz’ reputation as a provider of positive and enriching experiences for children. 

5. City Kidz Pre-School takes a compassionate approach to problem-solving.  

The team always does its best to keep children and families happy, but when mishaps or misunderstandings threaten to upset the early learning day, they approach these challenges with a proactive and helpful mindset.  

The team tries to stay ahead of potential problems, respond with empathy and understanding, seek creative solutions, and quickly deal with any issues that arise. 

Obviously, they can’t always control what’s going on (because life happens and they’re only human), but the team can control how they respond, and they gain the respect of families by taking a measured approach to turbulent matters. 

6. Last, but not least, City Kidz Pre-School values all feedback. 

Obviously, it’s nice to get super positive reviews, but the team doesn’t shy away from honest feedback and they truly take it on board, instead of brushing it aside.  

Madison says, “We actively seek feedback from families, staff and community members, taking their input seriously and using it to inform our practices and decision-making processes.”  

Embracing feedback in a constructive and proactive way is great for their reputation, because it shows their commitment to continuous learning and enhancement, and you can rest assured that when you join the City Kidz Pre-School family, you will be heard. 

Over three decades, City Kidz Pre-School has certainly succeeded in building a great reputation.  

You’ll see stacks of five-star reviews in their KindiCare listing, and because actions speak louder than words, it’s very telling that families often enrol as soon as they’re able (from their child’s second birthday), then stay until big school starts.  

And once families do leave, they’re keen to come back!  

Madison says, “The children often return for visits – showing off their special uniforms, academic awards or even to complete their work experience or university placements.” 

“We’re also finding that many of our original children (from the 1980s and ’90s) are returning with their children. So, we’re teaching the second generation of families now, which is a testament to the sustained relationships we’ve built with families, and the happy memories parents have of our preschool.” 

If this is the experience you’re looking for, then we encourage you to enquire with City Kidz Pre-School via the KindiCare app or kindicare.com  

You can ask questions, arrange a tour and apply for a place all with KindiCare, and we hope you love City Kidz Pre-School as much as their former and current families do!