About KU
Established in 1895 , KU is Australia ’ s most experienced provider of high quality early education . As an organisation , our vision recognises that every child has a right to feel safe , nurtured , valued and heard . We contribute to this by delivering , supporting , and leading high quality inclusive play-based learning programs .
Governed by a voluntary Board of Directors , KU operates a range of high quality , not for profit early education services and programs , including preschools , long day care centres , family programs , early intervention programs , out of school hours care , vacation care and National Disability Insurance Scheme services . KU also manages work-based childcare centres on behalf of a range of corporate clients and provides childcare for the children of newly arrived migrants through the Adult Migrant English Program ( AMEP ) in partnership with Navitas English .
Catering to over 13,000 families and more than 15,000 children each year , KU currently has 130 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children enrolled within our 140 children ’ s services and programs , across the Australian Capital Territory , New South Wales , Victoria and Queensland .
KU employs more than 2500 staff , including 19 staff who have identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples . Recognised as an Employer of Choice in the 2016 Australian Business Awards , KU has long-held a commitment to employing qualified staff , including university qualified early childhood teachers , and to providing extensive staff training and professional learning opportunities to all staff .
A sustained commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
KU values diversity and inclusion . We recognise that everyone has their own culture , beliefs , values and strengths , contributing to our rich and diverse community . We embrace and advocate for the rights of all children , including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children , to access and actively participate in our programs and have a sense of truly belonging .
KU has a strong history in supporting vulnerable children and their families and is committed to the inclusion of children with additional needs providing support to each centre through a multidisciplinary team of Education Support Managers , a team of Early Education Practice Managers , a Professional Learning team and the sector ’ s first Child Wellbeing Unit , overseeing the safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in KU .
KU demonstrates our commitment by investing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs , and providing priority of access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children . The KU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs team assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to access quality early education services and supports educators to create culturally safe and inclusive environments . The team also provides ongoing mentoring of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees together with a range of professional learning opportunities for all staff , aimed at strengthening cultural competency throughout the organisation and growing leadership capabilities .
In addition to supporting children in KU centres , KU administers the National Inclusion Development Fund on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training as part of the Inclusion Support Programme to assist all Child Care Benefit ( CCB ) approved services across Australia to address barriers to inclusion . KU also provides Inclusion Agency ( IA ) support to eligible services in NSW / ACT , VIC and QLD under the Inclusion Support Programme . IA ’ s assist approved CCB services such as long day care , family day care , outside school hours care and vacation care , to build their capacity and capability to provide and embed inclusive practice in their delivery of educational programs .