Celebrating the legacy of Karen Roberts: A leader, advocate and changemaker in early childhood education

Karen Roberts, a deeply respected leader in early childhood education and care, will retire on 19 July 2025, concluding a career spanning nearly fifty years.  Her legacy is one of courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to children’s rights, social justice and educational inclusion.

Karen’s long-standing leadership has been recognised across the early childhood education sector for its role in supporting inclusive practice and contributing to quality outcomes for children and families. Her work has influenced service delivery, policy development and educator capacity building at both local and national levels.

As she prepares for retirement, Karen leaves behind a sector strengthened by her insight, commitment and advocacy. Her contributions will continue to resonate through the inclusive practices and empowered leadership she has helped cultivate across the early years landscape.

Karen has become a transformative figure in local government, community development, and early childhood leadership. Since 2003, she has led Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s Children’s Services, overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes long day care, occasional care, family day care, out-of-school hours care, and early intervention programs. Her leadership has directly shaped the professional journeys of more than 70 educators and hundreds of community members.

Karen’s hallmark achievements speak volumes about her impact. She co-led the Council’s acclaimed Child-Friendly City initiative, which drew on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and UNICEF Australia’s priorities to embed children’s voices in public policy. This work placed Canterbury-Bankstown at the forefront of child-inclusive urban planning and community development.

Equally groundbreaking was her role in the creation of an Australian-first childcare access initiative for families seeking asylum. Launched in partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre, Uniting, and the Sydney Alliance, the program provided free early education placements for children who were otherwise excluded from subsidised care.

The initiative not only supported children’s development but enabled parents, especially single mothers to pursue education, learn English and seek employment. Her commitment to children and families was a significant example for other local councils and local early childhood leaders to endorse a similar program in their own community. 

Karen’s influence has also extended beyond program delivery. She has contributed to national discourse through professional development, tertiary education, and sector writing. Her co-authored articles in Rattler magazine and guest lectures at institutions such as Macquarie University have shaped contemporary thinking on inclusion, behaviour guidance and child protection.

Recognised nationally, Karen was named the 2021 HESTA Early Childhood Education and Care winner for Individual Leadership and received a ACA NSW Inaugural State of Sector in 2024 for Most Significant Contributions to Children’s Outcomes.

Colleagues across the sector commend her mentorship, insight and advocacy. Testimonials from Canterbury-Bankstown educators highlight her as “a gentle and caring professional”, “an inclusive and considerate leader” and “a person of great integrity”.

Dr Manjula Waniganayake, who collaborated closely with Karen on research and leadership initiatives, has described her as “resourceful, generous with knowledge and driven by a genuine belief in equity and access for all children.”

Karen’s leadership has also been acknowledged at the highest levels of local government. In a recent tribute, Canterbury Bankstown Council CEO Matthew Stewart described her impact as profound, noting that she had influenced not only the local government area but also the broader early childhood education sector.

“From her first days as a preschool teacher in 1976 to leading our Children’s Services for over two decades, Karen dedicated her life to advocating the rights, education, and wellbeing of young children,” he said.

“Her journey has been shaped by compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves the very best start in life. Karen has been instrumental in embedding practices that support inclusivity for all children and has been a true leader in embedding child-friendly values across our Council.”

Mr Stewart added that Karen’s leadership had inspired fellow educators, supported families, and strengthened communities: “Her national awards for leadership and contributions to children’s outcomes only begin to reflect her impact. You have shaped not only our services but also the hearts and minds of all who have worked alongside you.”

As Karen steps away from formal leadership, her influence endures through the empowered educators she has mentored, the families she has supported, and the inclusive practices she has championed.

Karen Roberts’ long-standing leadership has been recognised across the early childhood education sector for its role in supporting inclusive practice and contributing to quality outcomes for children and families. Her work has influenced service delivery, policy development and educator capacity building at both local and national levels.