Find a campus
Find a campus
Careers in Early Education

Renee Started As A Parent And Is Now The Director

Renee Connaghan shares her journey from a parent to the Director at Only About Children's Wahroonga Eastern Road centre.
Renee Started As A Parent And Is Now The Director Renee Started As A Parent And Is Now The Director

 

I have had a beautiful journey at the Wahroonga Eastern Road centre. I have three children and they all came through this centre. I started working as an Educator the year my youngest son started Kindergarten. I started as an Assistant Educator. I quickly moved up to Room Leader, then to Assistant Director and now I’m the Director!

I’ve come full circle here over the last 15 years. I used to sit as a parent on the chairs which are in front of the desk I now sit behind as the Director. I live and breathe my centre, it has been such a big part of my life, for such a long time of my life and everywhere I look around, I see memories. Of my own children when they were here and of the hundreds of children I’ve had the privilege of knowing over the years, not to mention all the team members I’ve worked with.

I’ve been in my current role as Director for 18 months. It’s been the most challenging time in my career. I show up each day eager to learn and get better, to gain new understandings and to do what I need to do for the centre. To work closely with my team to deliver the best standard of Education that we can deliver, to inspire my Educators to grow more into what they are capable of each day and to give our families the best experience I can give them each day.

I have progressed from a Room Leader to a Director. I’m proof that you don’t have to be the most qualified person in the room to get the job of your dreams. What you have to be is passionate, hardworking, dedicated, loyal and committed. When you show up as those things consistently, you get rewarded. I feel so fortunate to be where I am today and I can’t imagine ever being anywhere else. My centre is my second home, I love it here.

Find out more about becoming an Educator here Career Options in Early Childhood Education

Discover how Only About Children supports your child's development

Careers in Early Education

Only About Children can help your child to grow, make friends and explore the world.

Only About Children can help your child to grow, make friends and explore the world.

Related Reads

How Does Preschool/Kindergarten In Long Daycare Differ?
How Does Preschool/Kindergarten In Long Daycare Differ? How Does Preschool/Kindergarten In Long Daycare Differ?
School Readiness
11 August 2026 6 minutes

How Does Preschool/Kindergarten In Long Daycare Differ?

Struggling to understand the difference between preschool/kindergarten in a long daycare setting versus community preschool/kindergarten? We review the key differences and similarities.
Kinder Children at OAC Mernda Explore Gardening and Seed Planting
Kinder Children at OAC Mernda Explore Gardening and Seed Planting Kinder Children at OAC Mernda Explore Gardening and Seed Planting
Education & Learning
06 August 2026 1 minute

Kinder Children at OAC Mernda Explore Gardening and Seed Planting

Our OAC Mernda community came together for International Picnic Day, enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of connection, conversation and belonging.
Picnic Fun and Family Connections at OAC Mernda
Picnic Fun and Family Connections at OAC Mernda Picnic Fun and Family Connections at OAC Mernda
Community
06 August 2026 1 minute

Picnic Fun and Family Connections at OAC Mernda

Our OAC Mernda community came together for International Picnic Day, enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of connection, conversation and belonging.

Explore by Topic