Remote Area Advisory Service

Over the past decade we have witnessed a rising interest in child care issues and a pressing demand for better care for our young children. The key to better care focuses on professional development for all caregivers. Recent research indicates that high quality care leads to positive outcomes for children, and that caregiver education and training are keys to providing quality care. PSCQ supports a wide variety of professional development offerings for caregivers and, thus increase the availability of quality, culturally sensitive child care in Queensland.

The Kath Dickson Family Centre has a long and established history of being advocates for children and families. This advocacy transcends itself into our philosophy and ideology in relation to the care of children and the support of those who work daily with young children. Our Institute staff are dedicated, passionate and committed to offering high quality professional development. It is important to us as an organisation that all our staff is conversant with latest trends and issues that will impact upon childcare services in Queensland.

Unfortunately the opportunity for professional development in remote areas of Queensland has been increasing severely hampered by funding constraints over the past few years. It is for this reason we are fully supportive of, and excited by the establishment of the REMOTE AREA ADVISORY SERVICE.

Kath Dickson’s vision is to provide support, advice and where necessary individualised in-service opportunities to all services nominated as remote by the Commonwealth description by offering:

Phone support by a 1300 304 194
Web based support www.kathdicksoncentre.com.au (operationally end May 2007)
Mail outs
Fortnightly broadcast emails
Facilitating peer networks
Mentoring
Collaborating with the Project Officers, PSN Networks, IPSUE and ISA’s in each area. On- site visits (minimum of 2 per year)

Staff

COMING SOON

Janine

Chris

Khadija

Darani

Cathy

Janine Karetai - CEO Kath Dickson Family Centre.
Janine has 30 years experience in childcare and has a particular interest in management issues. Janine has also held the position as the Minister’s advisor for TAFE.

Chris Mahony – Director Kath Dickson Institute of Early Childhood Studies.
Chris has over 30 years experience in early childhood care and education. She started firstly within the Education Department followed by 13 years with C&K. The past decade has seen Chris working specifically within childcare, initially as a Director and for the last 5 years as a lecturer. Chris has developed courses specific to the childcare workforce.

Khadija Mogg - Administration Support.
Khadija has a Certificate III in Business Administration, this qualification has seen Khadija go on to persue avenues of Information Technology support, design and website administration. Khadija is based in the Toowoomba office and is contactable on
1300 304 194 for any of your resource needs or enquiries.

Darani Pyers - Visiting Staff.

Darani has worked in the early childhood industry since 1993, she has experienced the wonderful worlds of Special needs, Mobile kindy and playgroups, Long Day Care, Kindy, OSHC, worked with all age groups and now with remote services. The education and support of this industry has always been a passion of Darani’s and over recent years and has the privilege of being a member of the PSN (PSCQ) for South West Darling Downs, helping to provide more accessible and affordable ongoing professional development.

The Kath Dickson staff have many years of experience in early childhood education and care and has built its reputation on being advocates for young children. This experience will be utilised within the project to insure that we always endeavour to meet the needs of the remote services. So whether you are just saying hi to Khadija, or discussing issues with Janine, Chris, Darani or Cathy we would love to hear from you and sincerely look forward to collaborating with each service in the remote areas.