The happiness, wellbeing, development and education of your child is always our highest priority.
We’ve worked hard to become an employer of choice in the childcare industry. We offer a highly-regarded professional development program and above-award remuneration. We’re proud to say that we attract and retain some of the best educators in the industry. Through strong bonds with familiar and consistent carers, each child has the opportunity to thrive.
The Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (2006) sets the professional standards that guide our work and educational programs.
Each of our centres is owned and operated by a franchisee, who is qualified and extensively experienced in the childcare industry. This unique business model ensures that the operation of each centre is guided by a professional who is committed to providing the highest quality of early childhood education and care. Many of our franchisees have worked with Mother Duck for many years and have helped shape the values of the company.
Our Mother Duck leadership team is passionate and involved, working at a Mother Duck centre every single day.
Karen has been CEO of Mother Duck Childcare since 2010, leading and supporting the enthusiastic team of franchisees and educators. Karen holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and began her career working as an early childhood teacher at a centre in Carindale. When this centre was acquired by Mother Duck Childcare, Karen immediately felt at home. After working as the Early Childhood Teacher at Carindale, Karen went on to become the Franchisee of the Manly centre in 2000.
Karen is passionate about early childhood care, understanding how critical these years are in human development. She’s determined to make a real difference to childcare, placing the highest priority on providing the best conditions to enhance children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
Karen believes that when you support families, you also support the development of children. As a single mother who returned to work when her daughter was seven months old, Karen personally understands the challenges and daily pressures faced by working families.
Founding Mother Duck Childcare in 1990 with his wife Ros, Denis still plays a significant role in the daily operation of the company. He acts as a mentor to the franchisees and educators, maintaining a company culture where staff enjoy maximum job satisfaction and happiness in their roles. Denis firmly believes that if staff are happy in their workplace, then everything else falls into place.
Denis is also the Chief Financial Officer of the group. His primary objective is to ensure that the franchisees operate successful businesses, attending the centres every day to provide advice and support on managing their businesses.
Heidi’s journey at Mother Duck Childcare began in 2010 when she became an Educator at our Manly service. A short time later, she stepped up to become the Director, then Franchisee, at Manly.
Heidi joined the leadership team as COO in 2018, to support and mentor leaders and educators across the organisation.
As she visits each of our services, Heidi helps nurture healthy team culture to foster outstanding staff performance. She also works closely with families, educators, leaders and health professionals to support the wellbeing of each child. This collaborative approach helps achieve the best outcomes for children.
Heidi holds an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services and has three young children of her own. One of Heidi’s children is autistic and suffers from severe anxiety. Heidi’s personal experience as a mother has strengthened her dedication to supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of each child. She believes that every child must be valued as an individual, to flourish in their own way.
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