accommodate children with special needs funded by
Government grants together with playground upgrades
funded by KU. The Centralised Repairs and Maintenance
Program continues to assist centres to meet licensing
and OH&S issues. The year saw the fit-out and conversion
of the ground floor shopfront area of Central Office to
accommodate the NISSP Program. Construction of the
Autism Specific Early Learning and Child Care Centre at
Liverpool commenced and will open in July 2010. The
overall goal for the Property and Procurement team is to
ensure that the physical environment of every centre is
maintained to KU’s high standards.
Finance
Throughout 2009 a number of initiatives were
implemented which were designed to improve the
timeliness of financial reporting, reduce the administrative
burden on centres and improve the efficiency of our
financial systems.
This included work on a new financial system “Oracle”
which went “live” effective January 1st 2010.
Marketing and Communications
The year saw the consolidation of KU’s rebranding
project, with the new visual identity being rolled out across
KU centres through marketing materials, administration
documents, centre signage and KU’s online presence.
Feedback from families and the community suggests
the rebranding project has been extremely successful in
increasing KU’s profile and brand awareness.
The launch of the quarterly KU Newsletter in early 2009 has
improved our dialogue and engagement with parents and
Members, with each issue generating positive feedback.
Intensive marketing support was provided to 12 centres
with low utilisation, 11 of which were able to increase
and maintain utilisation rates. Additionally, many of the
resources developed for intensive marketing support were
expanded for use in all KU centres and services.
Throughout 2009 KU was heavily represented across
almost 50 news outlets, including television, radio, print and
online. Often the first port of call for media seeking informed
comment and opinion on early childhood education and
care issues, KU also actively generated public debate,
particularly in relation to policy, quality and affordability.
Making The KU Difference Awards
These awards recognise KU staff whose truly inspirational efforts are helping to make the KU Difference within
the many different areas of our work. Congratulations to the very worthy 2009 recipients of these awards.
• KU Rushcutters Bay staff
Making the KU Difference for Children • Irene Kiss (KU Padstow Preschool)
Making the KU Difference through Innovation
• Mervat Nashid (KU Fairfield AMEP)
Making the KU Difference for Families • Leah Deene and the staff of KU Mobile 3
Making the KU Difference through Representation
• KU Peter Pan La Perouse staff,
Gisella Wilson and Anna Etkin
Making the KU Difference for Communities • KU Macquarie Fields staff
The KU Marcia Burgess Award
• Cristal Anshaw (KU Central Office)
Making the KU Difference for Staff
The perpetual KU Marcia Burgess Award recognises
outstanding commitment to working with children
with additional needs and their families.
• KU Randwick Coogee Preschool staff
Making the KU Difference to Quality
114th Annual Report 2009
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