Workforce

Anne Irving retires after 43 years of service with SDN Children’s Services

Freya Lucas

Jan 10, 2023

Save

Veteran Educator Anne Irving retired last year after 43 years of service at SDN Children’s Services, with “a full heart, countless memories and meaningful relationships”.

She began her career in early childhood in 1977 after completing her training as a Mothercraft Nurse having worked across a few SDN centres casually before permanently starting at SDN North Sydney, where she was a teacher for over 40 years.

Ms Irving has always felt a strong connection with children, and knew she wanted to work with them.

“Watching them develop into their own personality and being a part of their journey is my biggest achievement.” she said. “Children are so smart! They don’t forget anything.”

Children’s innocence, honesty and their enthusiasm to learn, are qualities that she connects to.

“When the children noticed that I couldn’t sit on the floor, they began pulling up a chair for me every time I entered the room, along with setting up a chair for themselves!”

Looking back over her years at SDN, Ms Irving said she is thankful for the opportunities, support, training and mentorship she has received throughout her career. “I’m still in touch with so many staff I have worked with over the years.”

When asked about what she admires in terms of SDN as a provider, she said the fact that SDN still has a strong focus on natural play, books and giving children opportunities to learn from messy play. She has enjoyed bringing aspects of how she grew up on the farm in Dubbo to her everyday connection with children in the heart of Sydney.

“This career has brought deep meaning into my personal life. I move forward with empathy and all the beautiful relationships I can take with me,” she said in closing.

The team at The Sector would like to wish Ms Irving a peaceful and happy retirement.

Don’t miss a thing

Childcare centres may have clear rules for staff numbers, but there are loopholes to get around them

There is a growing number of “serious incidents” in Australian early childhood services, including day cares.

What Can Australia Learn from Ontario’s Child Care Ratios?

As workforce pressures continue to shape early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy discussions in Australia, international comparisons provide useful perspectives. Canada’s approach, particularly in Ontario, offers a case study in how educator-to-child ratios, maximum group sizes and qualification requirements can be legislated as an integrated framework.

Burnout in early childhood education: Why leadership support is the missing lever

Early childhood educators have one of the most important jobs in Australia. We trust them to keep our kids safe, to educate them in their most formative years, and to care for them when we can’t do it ourselves. And far too often, educators are doing it all on empty.

Workforce planning in ECEC: from compliance requirement to strategic advantage

With workforce pressures continuing across early childhood education and care (ECEC), a structured approach to workforce planning is emerging as a critical leadership tool, not simply an administrative exercise.

National Early Childhood Worker Register: commencing 27 February 2026

The introduction of the National Early Childhood Worker Register from the 27 February, has signalled a significant shift in workforce oversight across early childhood education and care (ECEC).