Pachamama Early Education and Childcare is our State Winner in Western Australia, with a KindiCare Rating of 9.9, and as well as winning a KindiCare Excellence Award, Pachamama has also made history! 

Pachamama’s Director, Kristen McPhail, is the first person to lead a provider to three consecutive KindiCare Excellence Award wins. 

Pachamama won top honours in 2022 and 2023, and now in 2024, and since 2012, Kristen has been working tirelessly to make Pachamama a truly special place for children. 

To do this, she’s steeped Pachamama in nature, creativity and diversity, and together with her amazing team, Kristen is proud to do things differently.  

Instead of offering select nature play experiences, children are given endless opportunities to be amongst nature, which they absolutely love, and Pachamama is famous for its creative outdoor play spaces and sculptures.  

The team is always adding new plants and art, Kristen says, “The latest sculpture we commissioned was a huge gorilla, which we’ve placed in the Toddler and Junior Kindy play area.  

“It’s made of recycled chains that have been welded together, and the kids love climbing up on the gorilla, which looks over the whole playground with this wise look.” 

And, of course, indoors is no less interesting! 

Every room is decorated with homely treasures, including beautiful rugs from Afghanistan and Iran; and wherever they are in the centre, children are given real freedom to explore, discover and share unique experiences. 

They also benefit from a hugely positive culture.  

The educators set a great example when it comes to giving and caring, and Kristen explains that Pachamama’s diverse staff, “Paint a picture of acceptance and togetherness.”  

She says, “In our early learning centre, we have staff from all corners of the globe, including Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, First Nations Australia, England, Vietnam, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mauritius and beyond."  

Kristen explains, “We call this The United Nations of Pachamama, and together, we create the beautiful diversity that is Pachamama.“ 

The children are fortunate to be immersed in different languages and cultures every day; and with its interesting environment and invested educators, Pachamama Early Education and Childcare is a place they simply don’t want to leave!  

Kristen hears this all the time from children and families, and she’s found that her staff don’t want to leave either.  

Educators love working at the long day care centre, and Kristen says, “Our management team has over 50 years’ of experience at Pachamama.” 

This lack of turnover at the top level enables them to build their knowledge and programs year-on-year, and Kristen sees a direct correlation between consistency in management and their high-quality childcare offering. 

She gives a particular shout out to Executive Centre Manager, Rocky Beaton, who has been with Pachamama for 10 years, and impresses Kristen every single day with her knowledge, skills and ability.  

And here at KindiCare HQ, we give a huge congratulations to Kristen, Rocky and their whole team on their outstanding childcare offering and third consecutive KindiCare Excellence Award!  

Learn more about Pachamama Early Education and Childcare 

Information correct as at 1 July 2024