When we think about early childhood education, we often picture storytime, art projects, and learning numbers and letters. But what if early education is doing something even more powerful—strengthening entire communities? At the Warriapendi Child and Parent Centre (CPC) in Balga, WA, the impact of early learning goes far beyond the classroom. It’s a place where education isn’t just about children, but also about families and communities.
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Julie Kolzan is the Manager of Mental Health and Families for Family and Community Services at MercyCare, which manages Warriapendi CPC. She worked internationally for over a decade in early childhood education and has been leading services in Perth since 2016.
“Families accessing the Warriapendi Child and Parent Centre often face challenges such as financial hardship, limited access to early childhood education, and barriers related to language and cultural differences. Many families also experience social isolation and difficulties navigating health and support services,” explains Ms Kolzan. “The Centre helps address these issues by providing culturally appropriate family support services and opportunities for parents to connect and build community networks.”
Navigating Language Barriers
Over 70 different languages have been spoken within the walls of the Centre in its ten-year history, and the staff at Warriapendi respond by encouraging children to celebrate and respect diverse backgrounds.
“Warriapendi Child and Parent Centre navigates language barriers by employing multilingual staff and engaging interpreters who can communicate in various languages. They also use visual aids, translated materials, and simple, clear communication strategies to ensure families understand important information,” explains Ms Kolzan.
For young children, feeling a sense of belonging is just as important as learning their ABCs, and research shows that when children feel included and valued in their early years, it has lasting effects on their future success. At the Warriapendi Child and Parent Centre, belonging isn’t just a concept—it’s the foundation of their approach to early learning.
As a result, Centre coordinator Kirsty Maroney says the centre has become a one-stop-hub for family support for everyone in the community, providing the type of support usually provided by grandparents and extended family.
“Many of our parents come from diverse backgrounds, have limited English and have no family here in Perth to help them look after their children so our centre is like a welcoming community village,” Ms Maroney said.
The Role of educators in building identity
Educators at Warriapendi play a key role in shaping a child’s early experiences. They are not just teachers but cultural bridges, helping children navigate their own identities while appreciating the identities of others.
“Many children develop a stronger sense of belonging and cultural pride as the program celebrates and respects diverse backgrounds,” says Ms Kolzan. “We are grateful to the dedicated staff, local families, and community partners who have worked together to create a welcoming, inclusive space where children and parents feel supported and empowered.”
Staff are also focussed on supporting the entire family, providing help with everything from toilet training and sleep routines to ensuring parents can access child health services and parenting programs.
“We are all about identifying the problems that can put pressure on family dynamics and negatively impact childhood development and helping parents address issues through education, services and healthcare,” Ms Maroney said. “We focus on ensuring every child has the best possible start to life by upskilling parents and helping them address family challenges before they escalate.”
More than 106,000 people have walked through the centre’s doors over the past decade, with up to 250 families currently attending each week. “The numbers indicate that our unique facility is more important and relevant than ever,” Ms Maroney said.
A Model for the Future
The success of Warriapendi raises an important question: What if every community had access to a centre like this? Investing in early education isn’t just about helping children—it’s about strengthening families, building social cohesion, and creating a future where every child, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.
“Our message to educators and policymakers is clear: early intervention is critical in giving every child the best possible start in life. The early years are a vital window for development, and providing support during this time can significantly improve a child’s learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities.” Julie Kolzan
MercyCare urges decision-makers to prioritise early intervention services, ensuring they are accessible, culturally inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of each child and family. “By investing early, we can break cycles of disadvantage, promote equity, and build stronger, healthier communities for generations to come,” says Ms Kolzan.
As policymakers and educators look toward the future of early learning in Australia, Warriapendi offers a compelling case study: when you invest in young children, you’re investing in the wellbeing of entire communities.
