KU Children’s Services
KU Children’s Services has been selected as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2021. The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice [EOC] recognises organisations that develop workplaces that maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies and practices which demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.
“KU is delighted to have been named as an Employer of Choice by The Australian Business Awards, for six years in a row. As a sector leader, we recognise that our staff are our greatest assets and pride ourselves on our positive workplace culture that fosters innovation and recognises performance. We work together to consistently achieve quality early education for children, and encourage others to work alongside us to help strengthen our commitment to providing a unique early education experience where children are encouraged to discover their sense of self, learn to respect others and find their voice.”
Established in 1895, KU Children’s Services (KU) was the first provider of early childhood education in Australia and has operated continuously for over 125 years. Today, KU is one of Australia’s largest not for profit providers of early childhood education and care.
KU enriches the lives of more than 10,000 children and families each year and operates a portfolio of around 130 early education services and programs, to enable access for children from birth to five years to high quality early childhood education. These services include preschools, long day care, out of school hours care, community programs, and early intervention and specialist programs designed to promote and facilitate the inclusion of children with additional needs, including vulnerable children and children with disabilities. All KU centres have been independently assessed as amongst the highest quality in the country, with 100% of centres meeting or exceeding the National Quality Standards. At KU, children find their voice. Curious and social, they’re ready for the world.
KU provides specialist advice to the corporate, community and government sectors, drawing on its expertise in the delivery of high quality educational programs. With more than 25 years’ experience in work-based and employer-sponsored childcare, KU offers a range of management models for those looking to partner with an operator to deliver quality services; either in the corporate or community spaces.
In 2020, KU invested over $300,000 in a wide range of social impact activities including providing specialist services to families and children with additional needs; enabling children experiencing significant social disadvantage to access high quality early childhood education; and implementing ‘Healthy Start’, a program for vulnerable children that explores nutrition and health eating options. KU continues to explore new ways to expand our reach and impact in this area.
KU’s Family Programs, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Education Support teams support over 1,500 children with additional needs each year. Additionally, the Adult Migrant English Program welcomed 513 families with 597 children from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds. KU has also commenced operating supported playgroups for migrant families in regional areas to support successful settlement.
The KU Marcia Burgess Foundation attracts funds to expand KU social impact programs for its most vulnerable children and families. Aligned to the KU 125 years anniversary themes, donations to the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation over the next three years will enable KU to work with local communities on initiatives and programs to provide greater access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and young people to early childhood education.
KU is an equal opportunity employer and we know our staff are their greatest assets. KU’s positive workplace culture fosters innovation, recognises performance and offers development opportunities, ensuring they attract, retain and invest in the best people. KU has created a diverse and inclusive working culture with a shared vision and common lived values, enabling our staff to unlock endless possibilities. KU recognises and appreciates that our staff are the very heart of KU.