In the 40 years since its inception, Home Hill Community Kindy has grown to become an integral part of our small community.
The Centre has educated thousands of local children, providing them with wonderful preparation for the commencement of their formal education. The Centre is a vibrant, welcoming space which allows children to grow and develop into curious, capable and collaborative learners.
Director, Sue Amore, together with Educator Jodie MacDonald and the other staff implement the C&K early childhood curriculum Listening and Learning Together at the Centre. They are passionate about nurturing healthy minds and bodies and celebrating each child’s individual strengths to support their participation in the program and realise their full potential.
The play-based learning is reflective of our Home Hill community, so learning happens in ways that is meaningful to the children. The Kindy recognizes and respect the traditional custodians of Australia and embraces and celebrates the diversity of the children and families in our community.
In 2015, the Kindy made the decision to move away from traditional Kindy days and hours to offer an extended service. Currently, 44 children attend the Centre over four days, group A on a Monday and Tuesday and Group B on a Wednesday and Thursday. The hours of 8:15am to 5:15pm are more practical for working families and have ensured the longevity of the Centre.
In 2024, kindergarten has been offered free across Queensland to all families. This initiative will ensure that hopefully no child throughout the state misses out on experiencing the truly wonderful year that kindy is for children.
The current staff and committee of Home Hill Community Kindy are proud to be continuing the legacy of the original founders of the facility in providing a quality education to the children of Home Hill. With the ongoing support of the Community this will continue for many years to come.
Meet The Teachers
Sue Amore
After coming across the Burdekin on a gap year in the 1980s and loving the warmer weather, director and teacher Sue Amore relocated her family from Victoria to the Burdekin in 1993. It was while in the Burdekin that Sue began studying early childhood, working in local schools throughout 2005 before taking on the role of director and teacher at Home Hill Community Kindy in 2006. Over the years, Sue has liaised with committee and community members, mentored students, and navigated a shift in working hours but said her and her team were “determined to do whatever we needed to do to keep this community-based kindy up and running.”
“Here we still are in 2024 with full numbers and still being supported by our families and our community,” Sue said.
Jodie MacDonald
Assistant educator Jodie MacDonald has lived in the Burdekin most of her life, growing up in Ayr and Gumlu before moving to Home Hill where she has lived for 24 years. She said she had never considered working with children before having her own, working in administration before having children.
“I became interested in relief work during the years my own children were attending the kindy and after being on the committee for a few years, began studying my certificate III and then Diploma,” Jodie said. “I have worked at the kindy for almost 9 years.”
Jodie and Sue