Hello and welcome!

I'm Christine McKenzie, and I’m passionate about helping parents find high quality childcare for their little ones.
With a decade of hands-on experience in early childhood education, coupled with my extensive background in childcare regulation, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insight that I’m eager to share with parents like you.
I began my career in government corporate roles, which I loved (total policy geek here!). But by my mid-20s I felt a huge pull towards early childhood education. I made the big decision to leave a stable job to embark on a completely new path. I became a childcare trainee and earned my certification as a qualified early childhood educator.
Once qualified, I immersed myself in various early childhood settings, gaining a wide range of experiences that shaped my understanding of the industry. However, it was during these years that I observed critical gaps in safety protocols and operational standards. I saw firsthand how preventable accidents and oversights were putting children at risk. My background in government naturally led me to ask deeper questions - Who regulates these services? Who ensures they are held accountable? This curiosity ignited a new phase of my career in childcare regulation.
For seven years, I worked my way up within the government authority responsible for regulating early childhood services. From conducting audits and risk assessments to investigating compliance breaches and making high-stakes decisions on childcare operator applications, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the Australian Early Childhood Education and Care National Law and Regulations. This deep regulatory insight allows me to know exactly how childcare services should operate - and what parents should be looking for when selecting a provider for their child.
As a parent of two, I know how challenging it can be to choose the right childcare. That’s why I founded Happy Minds Grow - to share my knowledge and guide families through this important stage. I’m here to help you feel confident in your decisions and ensure your child’s smooth transition into early education.
Thank you for trusting me to be a part of this significant journey. I look forward to supporting you every step of the way!
