Three generations strong: the O’Connor early learning centre that feels like home
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Community, care and consistency – these are the things that make SPK Early Learning Centre special.
For three generations, families have trusted their most precious beginnings to this beloved local centre. After almost half a century educating, supporting and nurturing the curiosity of children, for many SPK Early Learning Centre (SPK) is more than childcare: it’s a home away from home.
Catering to children aged two to five years, this small, community-based, not-for-profit early learning centre has supported families and their children through some of the most integral moments of their lives.
Located in the leafy streets of O’Connor and just a short drive from the city, for many locals in the area the centre represents a magical childhood filled with learning and wonder. But now SPK is looking to welcome new families and as Director Kim Fitt says, what they offer is so much more than standard childcare.
“We’d just love for families to consider looking at small services like ours,” she says.
“We offer community, wonderful staff, a great play space for children and I think what we bring collectively as a team for these children is an opportunity to learn, grow and become the best possible person they can.”
Working in early childhood education since 1998, for Kim, supporting young children is ingrained in her identity.
Attributing her passion to her own positive experiences in pre-school, she says that from a very young age she knew that she wanted to be a teacher and have that same empathy, caring nature and understanding of children that made her own childhood so magical.
“I had a teacher that looked like Farrah Fawcett…she was one of the most kind and gentlest people I had met, apart from my mother,” explains Kim.
“She made me feel safe and I thought that’s what every child deserves. If I can provide that for every child that I come across in my journey as an educator, then that’s what’s it’s all about – helping children feel safe, secure and supported and making sure that they have the best opportunities to grow and learn and emerge as their own person.”
Working at SPK for 12 years, beginning as a Diploma Educator before taking on the role of Director in 2020, for over a decade Kim has helped to create an intimate learning environment where children can flourish and grow.
Looking back on her extensive experience in early childhood education, she says that what makes SPK unique is its embedded philosophy of connection to community and its team of educators who grow with the families.
With committed staff of Diploma and Certificate III trained educators (whose own careers span between two and 10 years at SPK), she says that they know the families and children’s needs inside out, allowing them to offer a level of care not often provided in early childhood centres.
“We have been in this community for 47 years and I think that in itself is something that we pride ourselves on, because there’s not a lot of services here in Canberra that can say they’ve been here for nearly 50 years,” says Kim.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and for me, it’s all about that consistency for families and providing a quality safe environment for children. When I find something I really love, I put my all into it. It’s why I’ve stayed for so long.”
Focussed on flexible learning that allows the educators to adapt their activities to follow children’s interests and what’s happening in the community, the mix of the Early Years Learning Framework and personal touches allow children to embrace the wonder of learning while still building foundational skills.
SPK is designed to feel like a home away from home, complete with herb gardens, an outdoor playground and plenty of room to play. From cooking classes to camping to learning about the life cycle of a butterfly, conversations with children and their families guide learning journeys.
Admitting that she never lost her inner child and working at SPK evokes the emotions of joy and wonder she felt when she was young, Kim says that being part of every child’s learning experience is a privilege.
As she remembers all too well, early childhood learning can be the spark that starts your child’s future fire.
“If you can have that impact on a child’s life, they remember.”
Currently welcoming enrolments for 2026, families interested in learning more about SPK Early Learning Centre can visit stphilips.com.au
