I am Kathryn Cowley. I live in Sydney. I have been an early childhood educator for more than 40 years. My first position was in a school teaching five to six year olds. My CV includes positions in early intervention programs for children with special needs, teacher in a hospital school and in preschools, director of a 60-place childcare centre, owner/director of a 40-place childcare centre, coordinator of an outside school hours service, a Family Day Care Child Development Officer and Coordinator and finally the Children’s Services Manager of Illawarra Children’s Services, now known as Big Fat Smile. Most of my roles have required me to work with adults involved in many levels of early childhood education. This included families, educators, tertiary students, administrators, academics, local, state and federal government officers, health professionals and other community workers. I always endeavoured to communicate effectively to ensure the care and education of children reflected best practice standards and most importantly the individual needs and interests of each child were understood and respected.