ADVERTISING FEATURE
Kirrawee Child Care Centre first opened in February 1994 as a long day childcare service.
Since then the company has grown to seven services in Gymea, Kirrawee, Oyster Bay, Como, Bonnet Bay and Waterfall.
The Kirrawee and Bonnet Bay centres offer long day care while the other five are before and after school and vacation care within schools.
Company Director Fikry Bassiuoni said each service had its own structure, director and educators.
It employs around 50 staff in different capacities and qualification levels but mainly early childhood teachers and educators with university or tertiary education qualifications.
"We trade under the name of Shire Child Care Centres but each service has its own identity and environment," Mr Bassiuoni said.
"For example, our newest service is Waterfall in the National Park which is inside Waterfall Public School in unique surroundings where children can relate, appreciate and value nature and a clean, healthy environment and see different animals and birds in their natural habitats," he said.
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"Since we started in 1994 childcare services have seen significant change.
"It is no longer just baby-sitting or a welfare service. Our motto and belief is 'Care and Education'.
Mr Bassiuoni said the advent of the Childcare Accreditation Council in 1996 means that services have to deliver care that is measurable, rated and continuously improving.
"I can confidently say that Australia provides one of the best children's services in the world and that is the way it should be," he said.
"Our services are associated with Little Scientist Australia and that is part of our daily program which inspires children to value it."
Mr Bassiuoni said the childcare profession was a special one which had much to contribute to society.
"It is truly a service," he said. "It enables mum and dad to go to work and contribute positively to our nation's growth and economy.
"Childcare educators are a different breed. They are sincere and passionate about what they do.
"They are loving, caring people and it makes me happy and proud to be able to facilitate that to happen day in and day out."
He added it was a delight to live and work in the Sutherland Shire "the birthplace of the nation".
"It's where nature meets the sea and where the first inhabitants lived and left fingerprints. And it is the melting pot of real multicultural Australia.
"I love its uniqueness, the nature in it and the people who call the Shire home." For details on the centres phone 9528 8797.
