When it comes to early childhood education, Bundanoon District Community Preschool, a part of Big Fat Smile, is a shining example of how empowering educators can lead to remarkable outcomes. Nestled in the charming Southern Highlands village of Bundanoon, this two-unit, term-only centre serves a broad community with a unique approach that celebrates the expertise and creativity of its educators and operates with a profound sense of trust—in themselves, each other, and their educational philosophy.
To dive deeper into what makes this place so special, we sat down with Liza, the Director, and Anti, an Early Childhood Teacher. Their passion for their work is contagious, and their insights are nothing short of inspiring.
A Team Built on Trust and Respect
Liza and Anti have been in the early childhood sector for over 20 years each, bringing a wealth of experience from various providers. Yet, they both agree that Big Fat Smile is where they’ve truly found their happy place. Liza shared, “One of the best things about working at Big Fat Smile is the size of the organisation. It’s big enough to offer variety and resources but not so big that you feel like just another pay check.”
Anti echoed this sentiment, highlighting the supportive environment at Bundanoon. “We’ve got a vision for children to be proper participants in their world. We set high expectations for them to be active community members.”
The journey to build their current team hasn’t been without its challenges. “It’s been a journey, but we’ve formed a really cohesive, strong team of like-minded, professional people,” Liza said. “There have been trials and errors, but we’ve been clear about what we expect of one another and our shared values: respect, integrity, trust, and care are the foundations.”
Fostering Creativity Through Critical Reflection
A huge part of fostering innovation is empowering educators to constantly reflect on and refine their practice. Anti explained, “It started with teaching everyone how to be critically reflective. That was a big moment that opened everyone up, leading to a lot of trust and respect.”
Liza added, “Our staff meetings are focused on professional learning rather than mundane housekeeping. The discussions we have with our educators are often around what’s happening in our service, why it might be happening, and how we could resolve challenges.”
Rather than simply being told what to do, Big Fat Smile educators are trusted to examine different perspectives. “If you listen and think freely, that allows for much more creativity,” Anti said. “You leave the day feeling much more accomplished.”
And when new ideas don’t go as planned? “It’s okay if things don’t always work the first time,” Liza said. “I’ll be given suggestions by head office, but also share my own ideas about what the preschool needs to create a more conducive space.”
Embracing Individual Passions
At Big Fat Smile, educators are given the freedom to bring their personal interests into the classroom, which sparks creativity and engagement among the children. Anti, a musician, shared how his love for music influences his teaching. “Playing music and introducing children to instruments is just a normal part of who I am. I also have passions for gardening and sustainability, which lead to natural conversations with children.”
From planting gardens and harvesting beans to making instruments, Anti follows children’s curiosity. “If you’ve got freedom to speak from your own heart as a teacher, it makes what we do more fun and rewarding.”
Liza emphasized the importance of these individual contributions. “We’ve built a team with diverse skill sets. We draw on each other’s strengths and trust that we’re all working towards the same goal.”
Celebrating Achievements and Building Community
Bundanoon is all about creating meaningful experiences for children. Last year, they partnered with the local Folk Festival, inviting a performer to the preschool and organising a community event with indigenous-flavoured sausages designed by the children. “I facilitated and ignited interest,” Liza said. “But the educators take it from the children’s curiosity and designed really creative experiences for the event.”
Anti highlighted the joy of seeing children achieve milestones. “It’s the little moments, like when a child finally grasps a concept we’ve been teaching. Their joy in learning and the funny, spot-on things they say make it all worth it.”
Advice for Aspiring Educators
For those considering a career at Big Fat Smile, Anti‘s advice is simple: “Open your mind to new possibilities.” Liza agreed, adding, “It’s about having the autonomy and trust to be more creative and tailor your teaching to the interests of the children. The support and resources are here, and it’s a truly collaborative environment.”
Bundanoon District Community Preschool is a testament to what can be achieved when educators are empowered, supported, and trusted to bring their creativity and passion into the classroom. At Big Fat Smile, the focus is on the children, but it’s the dedication and innovation of the educators that make each child’s world a better place. If you’re an educator looking for a place where your expertise is valued and your creativity can flourish, Big Fat Smile might just be the perfect fit for you.
We’re always on the lookout for upcoming Trainees and experienced Early Childhood Educators, Teachers and Centre Directors for our day care and term only preschools in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Sydney areas.
Search our current jobs here, or learn more about the benefits of working at Big Fat Smile here.
