YWCA CANBERRA

SPK Early Learning Service

Offering over 40 years of combined experience in providing early learning education for children in and around Canberra.

Vacancies available

Book a tour
Request to enrol
Overview Inclusions Testimonials Request to enrol

Overview

Established in 1992, SPK Early Learning Service in O’Connor offers over 40 years of combined experience in providing early learning education for children in and around Canberra. We strive to create a nurturing space where children can flourish, learn, and grow. Our location near the city offers convenience for parents commuting to and from work.

SPK Early Learning Service is a 52-place service, providing early learning and care for children aged 2–5 years, and is committed to delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs that support each child’s learning and wellbeing.

When you use any of our YWCA Canberra children’s services programs, you help to support our community activities, such as our housing programs, community development, youth engagement, and education to prevent domestic and family violence.

Fees

$148.12 per session

Quality Rating:

Issued November 2025

MP107513-HDR
MP107516-HDR
MP107477
MP107484
MP107490
MP107507-HDR

All you need to know

Family testimonials

We have twin boys who have been attending SPK for 2 years. The boys absolutely love going to day care and are always so happy at pickup. The staff are great and provide detailed information every pick up. They provide photos with a short story about your child multiple days a week which is great to see how your kids are developing. We are even considering staying for preschool because of the service we get.
Our daughter started at SPK when we moved to Canberra 18 months ago. We still pinch ourselves every day at how lucky we have been to have found the place. The carers really care. Our daughter gets dropped off with a smile every day and when we pick her up she is always happy. There is a real sense of warmth and care and effort goes into rotating the activities for the children plus bringing in outside activities/ people to engage with the children.
We have our daughter at SPK and we are very happy with SPK Early Learning Centre. It does not feel overly commercial, and the focus is truly on the children. The educators take proper care of our daughter, keeping her safe while also engaging her in learning and play. She is making sweet memories with other children at SPK. We appreciate their warm environment and genuine commitment to children’s growth.

An inviting and inclusive environment that feels like home.

Request to Enrol

Waitlist Application Forms

If you would like to fill up on a Waitlist Application Form,
click on which Childhood Service you prefer.

Chiara Will

Chiara Will is the Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 13 years of experience across the early learning and school age care settings. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating high-quality programs that support children to feel safe, connected, and confident as they learn, play, and grow.

Passionate about child safety and wellbeing, Chiara believes every child has the right to experience environments that are nurturing, inclusive, and responsive to their individual needs. She is a strong advocate for continuity in children’s learning and development, recognising the importance of meaningful partnerships between families, schools, educators, and the broader community in supporting positive outcomes for children.

Chiara is equally passionate about developing and empowering educators. She is committed to mentoring teams, fostering reflective practice, and supporting ongoing professional growth to build confident and capable educators who can make a lasting difference in children’s lives.

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

Enquire now

Preferred tour date