Early Childhood teacher reading with pupil in playground
Kelly Simpson - Cropped

Welcome to Burrabi Place

Southern Cross University Childcare Centre

Set within the beautiful grounds of Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus, Burrabi Place is a not-for-profit early education childcare centre providing high-quality, nurturing care and education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

With just 39 places available, Burrabi Place offers an intimate, close-knit environment where every child is truly known. Our educators take the time to build strong connections with children and families, creating a genuine sense of belonging and personalised care that helps children feel safe, secure, and ready to learn.

Inside, our bright and stimulating learning spaces invite creativity, discovery, and collaboration. Outside, our recently revitalised gardens provide rich opportunities for exploration — from imaginative play and nature experiences to quiet moments of curiosity under the trees. These environments are carefully designed to inspire children to investigate, problem-solve, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

At Burrabi Place, we see families as partners in a child’s journey. By working closely together, we create a supportive community where children feel confident, capable, and deeply valued.

About our centre

Operating hours

Times: 7:30am – 6:00pm

Days: Monday – Friday

Closed: NSW public holidays and the Christmas/New Year period

Age groups

Younger Children’s Room: 6 weeks – 2.5 years

Preschool Room: 2.5 – 5 years

Fees and Support

  • Eligible families may access the Child Care Subsidy and/or have access to Start Strong funding applied to their weekly gap fee (after CCS)
  • SCU staff and students are also eligible for a discounted rate.
Children in field

Our Philosophy

At Burrabi Place, we aim to provide children with a high-quality, nurturing education and care environment that supports their physical and emotional wellbeing. We see children as active learners who construct their own learning through inclusive, hands-on experiences that build on their individual learning goals.

We believe that parents and families are the most significant caregivers in children’s lives, and we strive to maintain respectful, collaborative, and nurturing relationships with all families and friends within our early learning community.

Our approach values hearing children in the moment. We believe that by actively listening to children, we can better understand their needs, interests, and concerns. This, in turn, helps us to build a strong foundation of trust and respect within their learning environment.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture of openness and collaboration, where children, families, and educators feel empowered to explore, learn, and grow to their fullest potential.

We acknowledge that children come from diverse backgrounds, and we strive to be respectful and supportive of all cultures within our learning community. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we play and learn, the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation, and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.

By creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every child’s voice is heard and respected, we are laying the groundwork for their future success and wellbeing far beyond their formative years. At Burrabi Place, we aim to create experiences that last a lifetime for children and families.

Register your interest

Join our waitlist

Join our waitlist to register your interest in a place for your child at Burrabi Place. We’ll be in touch as positions become available, and our Team at Burrabi Place will be here to guide you through the next steps.

Submit your details today to stay informed and connected.

Register your interest

Join our parent committee 

Our Committee is made up of parents and community members who support governance and decision-making at the centre. As a not-for-profit, we’re guided by families, for families, with day-to-day operations led by our experienced team. 

To register your interest, speak to the Centre director today.

Contact us

Meet our staff

Lucie Carter

Centre Director

Early Childhood Teacher

Jill Coakley

Educational Leader, Preschool Room Leader

Early Childhood Teacher

Jane Hoult

Administrator

Chelsea Haron

Educator

Cert. lll Early Childhood Education and Care (Working towards Diploma)

Mikaylah Smith

Educator

Cert. lll Early Childhood Education and Care

Lauren McKenzie

Younger Children’s Room Leader

Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

Summah Davis

Educator

Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

Kelly Szypulski

Educator

Cert. lll Early Childhood Education and Care (Working towards Diploma)

Anneleise Piccoli

Educator

Cert. lll Early Childhood Education and Care Trainee

Christabelle Butler

Support Educator

Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

Imogen McGregor

Support Educator

Cert lll Early Childhood Education and Care

Where to find us

Location
Southern Cross University - Rifle Range Road, East Lismore

Nestled within the leafy grounds of Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus, Burrabi Place offers something truly special — a calm, nature-rich setting where children grow and learn surrounded by open green spaces, curious discoveries, and a supportive community.

Our unique location provides a peaceful learning environment while remaining closely connected to the vibrant university community.