Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten named as Employer of Choice in Australian Business Awards

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten has been selected as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2022. 

 

The awards program recognises organisations that demonstrate the core values of business innovation, product innovation, technological achievement and employee engagement via a set of established business and product award categories. 

 

Participation is open to all private and public companies, multinationals and their subsidiaries, non-government organisations, educational institutions, government departments, government agencies, government authorities and statutory bodies that have successfully implemented a business, management or community initiative in Australia. 

 

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.

 

“We are extremely proud to be recognised as a leading workplace in the child care (sic.) sector that strives to foster organisational culture and Leadership; employee education, training and development; employee health, safety and satisfaction; performance management; recognition and remuneration,” said Kerri Smith, Head of Sesame Lane. 

 

Sesame Lane has 14 early learning centres located in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland. By partnering with expert external consultants, Sesame Lane has undergone continued transformation and growth which places team members at the heart of the company, resulting in a rich, positive culture of trust, openness and shared values.

 

Each month, Sesame Lane holds strategic planning sessions focused on achieving the Sesame Lane vision and fulfilling the company’s goal to maintain their position in the market, ensuring Sesame Lane continues to be a great place to work and planning for further growth.

 

Staff input and feedback are integral to the continued growth of the company, with a range of opportunities created to encourage input, such as the Participative Organisational Council, regular staff surveys, performance reviews, YourVoice program and regular manager catchups. Feedback is collated and used as the basis for future strategic objectives.

 

A number of team members have been with the provider for between five and 27 years. 

 

“In such a transitional sector, this speaks volumes about the level of staff commitment, loyalty and satisfaction experienced by the Sesame Lane team,” Ms Smith said.

 

Innovations that were recognised in awarding Sesame Lane as an employer of choice included: 

 

• A comprehensive induction program to provide a sense of connection and belonging from Day 1; 
• Laneways Reward and Recognition program – an employee benefits program that surpasses competitors; 
• Comprehensive training and professional development opportunities including Bachelor of Early Childhood Education options; 
• An in-house Educational Mentor to support educators and nurture a positive professional development environment; and, 
• The Learning Lane – in-house learning management system including a wellbeing hub to encourage self-care for educators and educational leaders.

 

The provider’s willingness to collaborate with sector peers was also noted. A number of Sesame Lane services participated in the Sesame Lane Annual Sector Open day, opening their services on the weekend to showcase their offering and share information with educators from other providers within the sector. 

 

The Sesame Lane Educational Mentor was awarded 2021 Queensland Ambassador for Children’s Rights, further underpinning the organisation’s support for children and the childcare (sic.) sector.

 

For further information about Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten, please see here. Information about the Awards is available here.