Supporting Future Early Childhood Educators Through Workplace Learning - Kekeco Childcare Pty. Ltd.

When Jennifer Kearney (Managing Director) took over operations of Sutherland Street Childcare and Kindergarten in Kilmore in 2007, she made a deliberate decision to open her doors to secondary school students looking for work experience in early childhood education. Nearly two decades later, that decision has shaped not just her workforce, but the careers of dozens of young people across the Mitchell Shire region.

Kekeco Childcare operates three services across Mitchell Shire: Dudley Street Childcare and Kindergarten in Wallan, Ferguson Street Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre in Broadford, and Sutherland Street Childcare and Kindergarten in Kilmore. Across all three sites, the business has consistently made room for local secondary school students to gain hands-on experience in early childhood education and care.

"This opportunity has helped many aspiring educators, both young and mature age, determine whether the ECEC profession is the right career path for them," says Managing Director, Jennifer Kearney.

The results speak for themselves. Students who first walked through the door for a week of work experience have returned as employees, completing their Certificate III, Diploma and in some cases bachelor's degrees in education and early childhood education, often while working at Kekeco alongside their studies. "We consistently find that students who complete their qualifications in a hands-on workplace setting are better prepared to provide high-quality education and care for the children attending our services," Jennifer says. "It is rewarding to see students grow from work experience participants into qualified professionals who make a positive contribution to the early childhood sector."

The program runs through Central Ranges LLEN's Work-Based Learning initiative, which connects local employers with motivated secondary school students across the Central Ranges region, spanning Mitchell Shire and surrounding areas. Placements are structured, supported and coordinated by the Central Ranges LLEN team, making the process straightforward for businesses.

For Kecko, the benefits extend beyond addressing immediate staffing needs. Hosting students has become an important part of the organisation’s approach to identifying emerging talent, building meaningful connections, and investing in the next generation of early childhood educators. This commitment is particularly valuable at a time when the sector continues to experience workforce challenges and requires more skilled educators to meet the growing demand for quality early learning services.

Register your organisation to support students at centralrangesllen.org.au or via the School to Work Portal, or contact Central Ranges LLEN for more information.

Contact
Wayne Jones
School to Work Programs Facilitator
E: wayne@centralrangesllen.org.au