ECEC in focus: Chermside childcare centre marks full-circle milestone

A beloved Chermside childcare centre recently celebrated a remarkable full-circle moment as one of the first children enrolled for its 1994 opening returned to mark its 31st birthday this time as Centre Director. 

Queensland Childcare Services’ (QCCS) Chermside Early Education Centre has long been a pillar of the surrounding community and was a central part of Centre Director Shani Cai’s childhood; she even grew up right next door.

With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, including a Certificate III earned at Chermside, Ms Cai approaches her role as Centre Director with a strong and particular focus on child development, leadership and meaningful curriculum design.

“My career to date in several QCCS centres has been full of proud moments, but Chermside holds a truly special place in my heart,” Ms Cai said.

“Chermside represents so many fond memories for my whole family, from watching the Centre be built, to my dad proudly donating the airplane toy for the playground and even being sent home sick one day after eating an entire roll of Life Savers!”

Since Shani first started at QCCS as a toddler, the local Chermside population has more than doubled according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, from an estimated 6,212 residents in 1994 to 12,506 residents at last estimation.

“The overall approach to early childhood education in the Chermside centre has evolved significantly over the past 30 years,” Ms Cai said.

“We now understand just how critically important the first five years are for the development of a child’s brain, so our curriculum is designed to be play-based, child-led and built entirely around each child’s unique development.”

Today, the Centre is shaped not only by its legacy of three decades of high-quality early childhood education, but also by its deep ties to the surrounding community.

Under Ms Cai’s Directorship, the Centre delivers QCCS’ highly-awarded curriculum grounded in research-backed neuroscience and built around secure, trusting relationships where children are encouraged to explore, question and take risks.

The Centre also remains actively engaged in the wider community, with programs such as weekly Bush Kindy and local library excursions, an intergenerational play program with Burnie Brae, and partnerships with local schools and allied health professionals.

These initiatives support a holistic approach to the crucial early childhood years and help children enrolled at Chermside Early Education Centre in building a strong sense of belonging and citizenship from a young age.

For Ms Cai, the most rewarding part of her role is watching these tiny but mighty moments unfold daily in the centre.

“Whether it’s a child achieving something for the first time or an educator finding their voice and growing professionally, those small moments are what make this line of work so meaningful,” she said.

As the Centre continues to grow alongside the community it serves, Ms Cai’s return marks more than a personal milestone, but rather a full-circle story showcasing the lasting impact of quality early childhood education on a community.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (March 1995) 3201.3 – Estimated Resident Population and Area, Queensland, Preliminary, 1994 [download], ABS Website, accessed 19 June 2025.

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (March 2025) ‘Population estimates and components by SA2, 2023 to 2024’ [data set], Regional population 2023-2024 financial year, ABS Website, accessed 19 June 2025.

To find out more about Queensland Childcare Services’ (QCCS) visit here.