When passion meets purpose, powerful partnerships emerge. That’s exactly what happened when Little Scribblers, a leading network of Early Childhood centres known for its focus on quality, safety, and educator growth, joined forces with Macquarie Community College (MCC) to strengthen the Early Childhood Education sector.
For Renee Eyles-Oberg, National Manager of Little Scribblers, the collaboration came naturally.
“Before joining Little Scribblers, I worked as a trainer and assessor with MCC,” Renee shared. “I’ve always had a huge amount of respect for Sue Bryant, Childcare Lead Trainer and her team of trainers, and the culture they’ve built at MCC. They genuinely care about their students and are deeply committed to ensuring their success.”
As National Manager, Renee oversees multiple centres across NSW and Victoria, all united by a child-centred philosophy and a commitment to excellence. Finding training partners that align with that standard is crucial and MCC has proven to be the perfect fit.
That trust and respect made the decision easy.
“When I moved into my current role with Little Scribblers, I began looking for a training partner. It just made perfect sense to reconnect with MCC because I knew they shared our values and high standards,” Renee added.
This mutual respect has become the foundation for a strong and enduring partnership – one that supports educators, enhances quality, and helps the early childhood sector grow.
Meeting Industry Demands with Purposeful Training
The early childhood sector is facing a major challenge – a shortage of passionate, qualified educators. The Little Scribblers team recognised early, the growing challenge of attracting passionate, qualified educators to the field. Instead of waiting for change, the organisation took action partnering with MCC to nurture the next generation of educators through real, in-centre experiences.
To help address this, MCC and Little Scribblers are working hand-in-hand to train and mentor educators who are both skilled and committed. By placing MCC students within Little Scribblers centres for their mandatory work placement, the partnership creates valuable real-world experience while strengthening workforce quality.
“We truly appreciate when high-quality services like Little Scribblers recognise the importance of providing opportunities for Early Childhood Education students to complete their mandated placement hours.
At Macquarie Community College, we deeply value these community partnerships, which ensure our students begin their rewarding careers learning from the best in the field. We also see firsthand how services benefit from hosting students, using placements as a valuable pathway for recruitment“, says Elizabeth Go, MCC Trainer and Assessor Early Childhood Education and Care.
Training That Inspires Confidence and Leadership
For Little Scribblers, partnering with MCC to roll out Safe Sleep training across all centres was part of a wider strategy to strengthen professional development and ensure consistent best practice across the organisation.
“Safe sleep standards change over time,” Renee said. “MCC’s training helps our team stay informed and ensures every child sleeps safely under our care.”
This ongoing collaboration has done more than improve safety. It has built confidence among educators and created leadership pathways.
“One of our assistants stepped up to a room leader role after mentoring MCC students,” Renee proudly shared. “That experience gave her the confidence to lead.”
At Little Scribblers, learning and growth are part of the everyday culture. Every educator is encouraged to keep developing their skills, reflect on their practice, and take pride in the profession. The partnership with MCC builds on this foundation giving staff and students alike the opportunity to thrive in a supportive, professional environment.
Empowering Educators Through Continuous Learning
The impact of MCC’s training goes beyond skills. It inspires growth.
“Having students from MCC in our centres trains our own educators to become mentors,” Renee explained. “It builds leadership, teamwork, and a sense of shared purpose.”
Little Scribblers staff have praised the professionalism and communication of MCC trainers. With flexible online delivery, the partnership also makes learning accessible to busy educators.
“Many of our educators finish late,” Renee said. “Zoom training allows everyone to join and keep developing.”
Early Childhood Education Partnership Built on Trust and Shared Values
What makes this partnership truly special is the alignment of values. Both organisations believe in nurturing not just students but future leaders.
“We trust MCC’s training standards completely,” Renee said. “Their students arrive well-prepared, and that lifts our whole team.”
From small beginnings, this collaboration continues to grow – creating stronger educators, safer classrooms, and brighter futures for children.
The partnership between Little Scribblers and Macquarie Community College proves what can happen when education and industry unite behind a shared purpose. Together, we’re creating safer, smarter, and more inspired learning environments.
As Renee put it, “When our educators grow, children thrive and that’s what this partnership is all about.”