Urban Education brings new life to a southside early education icon

Posted on 10 March, 2026

Since it opened its doors in 2021, early independent education centre Urban Education has become known and loved by families across Canberra thanks to its holistic approach.

Now, Urban Education has opened a third centre in Gowrie, taking over the space that was previously home to Blinky Bill Day Care Centre.

It’s something of a full circle moment for Urban Education founder, Kylie Pearce – it’s where she first set herself the goal of owning and operating her own service.

“My family’s journey began here in 2001 when my eldest commenced care at the age of eight weeks old. It is personal,” she says.

“This service was a home away from home for my own children and extended family. I want the families to experience what I experienced here as a parent for my own children, and I want my team of educators to have the positive outcomes I had.”

All three of Kylie’s children attended Blinky Bill, and she became deeply embedded in the community it built. It was also where she completed her Certificate III and Diploma training as an educator and educational leader.

In many ways, Blinky Bill was where Kylie laid the bones of what would one day become Urban Education.

“My time at Blinky Bill was as a parent and an educator, so I was able to see it through both lenses,” she explains.

“The time spent certainly set my expectations around the education and care requirements of the children as well as the dynamics of how families and educators work together.”

“I loved what I saw as a parent and loved my purpose as an educator…that passion just kept continuing to grow.”

Bringing the ethos of Urban Education to Gowrie – including cultural and physical co-curricular enrichment programs, chef-prepared meals and extended hours – Kylie aims to return Blinky Bill to its former glory days and honour the centres history.

In a move she describes as “the sweetest moment,” Kylie has welcomed back original Blinky Bill team members, including long-time colleague Kristy-Lee and Carinne, who has been cooking at Blinky Bill for 22 years.

“Carinne is looking to retire. I coaxed her in for one last hurrah as I wanted her departure to be on her terms and be the best experience and a happy one.”

Alongside the reopening, Urban Education has introduced a specialised Child Safe Educational Leader role – a meaningful addition that reflects Kylie’s broader commitment to the wellbeing of children, families, and the wider community.

The role works in collaboration with a purpose-built child safe focus group that families across all three services are encouraged to join.

She says that Blinky Bill is where she first (personally) experienced the importance of being able to trust educators with her own children and she wants to be able to offer that same feeling to the families at Urban Education.

“We are receiving lots of positive feedback and input, which is making our Urban community even stronger,” she notes.

“Gowrie is a thoroughfare from south Tuggeranong through to the city, and we have so many local and adjoining schools to enable us to support families.”

Now 25, Kylie’s eldest child has grown up alongside her mother’s career – and as Kylie reflects on the journey, returning to where it all began feels only right.

After all, she started Urban Education to flip the industry on its head, all with the purpose of ‘doing things differently’.

“It will always be Blinky Bill to me and my family,” she says.

“I want it to be the place that families prefer and where the mini humans never want to leave. It’s beautiful, it’s grand and so very welcoming and inviting!”

Now open for new enrolments, the opening of Blinky Bill has created a small number of vacancies at the Deakin and Gold Creek services, due to internal transfers.

Families can enrol online at urbaneducation.com.au or contact the services directly.

• Deakin – 02 5105 9279
• Gold Creek – 02 6255 5101
• Gowrie – 02 6189 0700

Images supplied.