Meg Barnden-Hyde celebrates 15 years with TG's Child Care. We interview her on her amazing years of Playing is Learning for Life at TG's.
What initially attracted you to TG’s, and what made you decide to stay through the years?
When I reflect on what initially attracted me to TG’s, it all comes down to a shared philosophy and a deep sense of community. The moment I learned about the family-based early childhood centre being built in our hometown; I was drawn to the idea that play was the focus of their approach. As someone who is very community–minded and believes in the power of play for children’s development, it felt like a natural fit for me.
What made me decide to stay through the years, however, was the warmth and sense of belonging that I experienced from the moment I knocked on Gayle and Trevor’s door. Their dedication to creating a nurturing environment where families feel like an integral part of the community resonated with me deeply. It wasn’t just about childcare; it was about building meaningful connections and supporting one another in the journey of supporting happy, healthy children.
Over time, I’ve come to cherish the relationships I have developed within the TG’s Family. The genuine care and nurturing that is engaged in every interaction has kept me invested in this wonderful community. It’s more than just a childcare centre; it’s a place where the TG’s family comes together to share laughter, challenges and milestones.
In essence, what initially attracted me to TG’s was their philosophy, but what made me decide to stay through the years was the sense of belonging that I found within the TG’s Family and community.
How have you seen TG’s evolve over the years and what role have you played in shaping it?
Over the years, I’ve witnessed significant evolution within TG’s, and my journey within this company. During the years, I’ve transitioned from an ECT to my current role as TG’s Manager. I’ve experienced various roles including team player, room leader, educational leader and centre manager. Each position has endowed me with invaluable insights and skills, contributing to both my personal growth and the advancement of TG’s as a whole.
Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to be in a community that fosters trust and encourages individuals to realise their fullest potential. This environment has been instrumental in shaping my professional growth, enabling me to thrive and evolve into the leader I am today.
Now, as a TG’s manager, I find fulfillment in supporting others to believe in themselves and in their capabilities. Through leadership and mentoring, I strive to empower individuals within the TG’s company to recognise their inner strengths and pursue their aspirations with confidence. By fostering a culture of empowerment and growth, I contribute positively to the collective success of TG’s and inspire others to embrace their journeys of development and achievements.
My evolution within TG’s has not only been a personal journey of growth but also a testament to TG’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence. As I continue to navigate my role as a leader and mentor, I remain dedicated to cultivating an environment where individuals can thrive and ultimately, make meaningful contributions to the TG’s community.
Can you share some memorable experiences or anecdotes during your time with TG’s that have a lasting impact on you and TG’s?
During my time with TG’s, I’ve been fortunate to experience numerous memorable moments that have left a lasting impact on both myself and the TG’s community. Among these are the bonds I have built with the families who put their trust in us to provide education and care. Interacting with families allows for genuine connections to be built on trust, respect and compassion.
Watching Educators grow into amazing professionals has been a truly transformative experience. Seeing their passion, dedication, and commitment to continuous improvement has been nothing short of inspiring. Our TG’s Educators continually strive to enhance their standards and positively impact the lives of the children in their care.
The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose within the TG’s community further reinforce our collective commitment to excellence. As we celebrate each other’s successes and navigate challenges together, we cultivate a culture of collaboration, learning and growth.
What would you say to new educators joining TG’s so they can fully grow to their potential and have sustainability and longevity in their career?
To new Educators joining TG’s, I would offer the following advice to help them fully grow to their fullest potential and foster sustainability in their career - Just have fun, be willing to learn and embrace the journey.
I encourage new TG’s Educators to embrace the journey of their careers with patience, resilience and a spirit of curiosity. The path to becoming an amazing Educator is marked by challenges and moments of self-discovery. By approaching each experience as an opportunity for growth and reflection, Educators can realise their fullest potential and make a lasting impact on the families they teach and care for.
In essence, by prioritising joy, fostering commitment to learning and embracing the journey of a rewarding career, new Educators can lay the foundation of growth and fulfillment, and stay in the field of education and care.
As they embark on this transformative journey, I encourage them to embrace each day with passion, purpose and a sense of wonder, knowing that they have the power to shape the future and inspire others to come into our career.
A truly Early Childhood Leadership SUPERSTAR!
Gayle reflects on Meg's time with TG's:
🌟"Meg is absolutely amazing and a very dear and special friend. She is one of the most kind-hearted, caring, loving and compassionate human beings I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and the honour of working with. It has been so inspiring to watch Meg’s growth as a strong and powerful educator and leader over the past 15 years.
"Meg has been with us every step of the way since opening TG’s Child Care in Uralla and as we have grown from 1 small Child Care centre to now 6 different campuses in both NSW and QLD. Meg’s leadership skills and the way that she supports, mentors and empowers others is so beautiful to witness. She knows how rewarding it is to support, nurture and encourage young children to develop and flourish, and she has also mastered this superpower as she supports, nurtures and encourages her teams of Early Childhood Educators and our Leadership group, inspiring, mentoring and empowering them to reach their fullest potential.
"Meg is such a fun-loving, wonderful friend and colleague and a truly valued, loved, appreciated and respected member of our TG’s family. She has been affectionately known over the years as the ‘Mother Hen’, who wraps her wings around everyone and keeps them safe and warm.
We are so grateful to have Meg working with us, leading her teams and advocating for everyone who crosses her path to reach their fullest potential. She is such a friendly, passionate and generous person who is always able to overcome challenges and hurdles that come her way with a positive attitude and growth mindset. Meg sees every situation as an opportunity for growth and learning. She accepts and embraces change, is open-minded and looks forward to continual improvement and development.
"As our Manager, Meg is now overseeing 1 Area Manager, 6 Centre Managers, 160 Early Childhood Educators and staff, supporting over 500 children each week, 450 families and the various communities in which they belong. As we have learned working together over the years, when we get the environment right and the culture right, that’s when the MAGIC happens.
"Congratulations Meg, on achieving this wonderful milestone of your 15 years Anniversary working with us at TG’s Child Care. You truly are an Early Childhood Leadership SUPERSTAR!!!"🌟
Meg's presence at TG's starts from way before she was even an Educator. As a parent herself when her children were at TG's, she knows TG's from the very beginning and has seen for herself the magic TG's can do for a child's learning journey. We are so proud of our Mother Hen, and her achievements have been duly recognised over the years. She won Outstanding Business Leader Award at New England North West Business Awards in 2022 and the Educational Leader Excellence Award at Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards in 2023. Thank you, Meg, for taking us under your strong, warm wings!
TG's Child Care locations and contact details:
Urangan QLD
+61 (07) 4184 2282 | urangan@tgschildcare.com.au
61 Miller St, Urangan, QLD 4655
Armidale NSW
+61 (02) 6772 7810 | armidale@tgschildcare.com.au
11 Samuelson Crescent, Armidale NSW 2350
Uralla NSW
+61 (02) 6778 3369 | uralla@tgschildcare.com.au
23B John St, Uralla NSW 2358
Wauchope - Hastings St NSW
+61 (02) 6585 1033 | HastingsStreet@tgschildcare.com.au
33B Hastings St, Wauchope NSW 2446
Wauchope - High St NSW
+61 (02) 6585 3331 | HighStreet@tgschildcare.com.au
223A High St, Wauchope NSW 2446
Wauchope - Riverbreeze NSW
+61 (02) 6585 2981 | riverbreeze@tgschildcare.com.au
3 Riverbreeze Drive, Wauchope NSW 2446
About TG's Child Care
As one of Australia's leading early learning Preschool and Long Day Care providers, TG's Child Care is dedicated to its philosophy of “Quality Lifelong Learning, where Playing is Learning for Life.” Children attending TG's Child Care are encouraged to experience a love and joy of learning throughout their time there and are equipped with skills and tools to continue their personal growth long after they’ve left.
At TG's, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay my/our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.