Jane Bourne recognised as outstanding QUT Alumni

The Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K) CEO Jane Bourne has been recognised for her dedication to the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, securing the 2020 QUT Faculty of Education Outstanding Alumni Award. 

Ms Bourne, a highly regarded expert with over four decades of experience in the sector, was noted for her commitment to supporting children in their learning and advocating for improvements in ECEC to benefit children and their families. 

“When I started in the sector, being a teacher was considered a profession – it was a career. I believe these days that this sentiment isn’t necessarily the case; however, I believe that it should be, given the huge importance the role plays in providing all children with the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and setting them up for future success,” she said, expressing thanks that during her time in the sector, the importance of ECEC is more greatly understood.

In her capacity as CEO, Ms Bourne leads a large team of educators caring for children and families across 330 Queensland centres, and attracted special attention from the QUT judging panel for her conduct as a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, an especially challenging time for the education and care sector. 

As well as supporting children, families and educators, her dedication to leading the team through a variety of personal communication strategies, including CEO videos and daily emails, drew attention from many within the sector, with ACECQA CEO Gabrielle Sinclair explaining that her leadership and commitment to education “continues to have a significant impact on the state and national public policies and programs”.

“Jane’s opinions and advice are routinely sought by education ministers, education departments and regulatory authorities,” Ms Sinclair said. 

“It would be difficult to envisage any new state or national programs or projects which were not first tested with, and quality assured by Jane.”

In addition to leading and guiding C&K, Ms Bourne has been at the forefront of major changes to the policy and regulatory environments of ECEC in Queensland through her membership of Queensland Government advisory committees to drive the State’s implementation of significant national reforms, including the National Quality Framework changes and the roll out of universal access to kindergarten in Queensland.

When asked what advice she might put forward to those beginning their journey in the profession, Ms Bourne said “our profession needs to take the reins in both hands and stand proudly together to achieve recognition for this sector and the levels of commitment we all strive for.”

“We are all stakeholders in ensuring children have access to quality education and care from birth to when they start school,” she added. “I want to empower and encourage our present and future to be the very best.”

The Sector congratulates Ms Bourne on this outstanding achievement. Each winner from the various QUT faculties and their achievements will be celebrated at the Outstanding Alumni Awards dinner on 12 October 2020 at Room Three-Sixty at QUT Gardens Point campus. The QUT Outstanding Alumnus of the Year will also be announced at the event.

To learn more about C&K, please visit the website, here.