Staff Spotlight on Rochelle

At Helping Hands Network, our focus is nurturing the potential of children in our care across Australia. We also believe in making a lasting positive impact in the communities where we live and work.

We couldn’t do this without our incredible staff and leadership teams. In this Staff Spotlight, we spoke with our Regional Director, Rochelle Anderson in QLD. With many years of experience working in outside school hours care, we asked Rochelle why she loves working in the industry and what makes working at OSHC so special.

Name: Rochelle Anderson  
Service name and location: Regional Queensland  
Role: Regional Director  
Years with Helping Hands Network (or in the sector): nearly 11 years with HHN and 25 years in the sector

Tell us a bit about your journey, what brought you to Helping Hands Network and what keeps you here?

My journey in childcare began over 25 years ago, driven by a passion for creating meaningful experiences for my own children and supporting their growth and development, it seemed like the natural path to take.  Worked in LDC before I joined Helping Hands Network 11 years ago, starting as a Coordinator and embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. 

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to progress through various roles - from Coordinator to Regional Manager, and now Regional Director. Each step has given me a deeper appreciation for the incredible people who make our programs what they are - our teams, families, and of course, the children. 

What keeps me here is the shared commitment to making a positive difference every single day. I’m continually inspired by the dedication of our educators and the joy we see in the children we care for. It’s a privilege to be part of an organisation that truly values connection, growth, and community. 

What does a great day at your job look like?

With 24 services across regional Queensland, I love connecting with diverse communities and supporting our teams wherever they are. A truly exceptional day as a Regional Director is one where every service in my region operates smoothly and safely, with children fully engaged, families happy, and staff feeling supported and valued. The programs not only meet but exceed quality expectations, reflected in outstanding assessment and rating outcomes. I’m proud to see our region thriving, with services continuing to grow and strengthen their connections with schools and communities. My team is motivated, confident, and are leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Strong relationships are maintained both externally - with schools, regulators, and key stakeholders - and internally across finance, operations, and the executive team. I end the day by knowing I have made a meaningful impact, not just operationally, but in the lives of the children, families, and communities.  

Can you share a moment or memory that made you feel proud to do this work?

Seeing the growth of our portfolio while building incredible relationships with our educators. Working alongside teams who share a common vision for high-quality care, I’ve watched services flourish, leaders develop, and children thrive. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how collaboration, trust, and shared purpose can turn aspiring goals into meaningful outcomes - moments like that make me proud to be part of this work every day!

How do you help children feel safe, seen and supported in your service?

As Regional Director, I ensure our services provide environments where children feel safe, seen, and supported by fostering a culture of strong, caring relationships. I work with our leaders and educators to prioritise wellbeing, celebrate individuality.  

What’s something you’ve learned about yourself since working at Helping Hands Network?

Since joining Helping Hands Network, I’ve learned how much I thrive when supporting others to grow. I’ve discovered that my greatest impact comes from mentoring teams, empowering leaders, and developing relationships. I’ve also learned that being a quick thinker, resilient, and a strong communicator is essential in navigating challenges, adapting to change, and celebrating the small wins that make a big difference every day. 

What do you think families or the community might not realise about the work you do?

Many families and community members might not realise just how much goes on behind the scenes to make our services run smoothly. Beyond the programs children enjoy, there’s a lot of work in supporting our educators. Behind the scenes, we work hard to maintain high standards and support our teams so children have the best possible experiences.

How do you support your team and help create a positive culture at your service?

I’m a talker, so whilst the region that I have is a large space of Queensland, ensuring connection via phone or teams with the services and wider support structure in Helping Hands Network is essential to ensure connectiveness is always happening - we all need to come together to make a region thrive. (I am waiting for a child who said they will build me a time travel machine so I can get to all the services quicker - he’s currently in Year 9 but he is super smart!!) 

Would you like to work with us?

If you’re interested in working in the outside school hours care industry, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our careers web page and discover the latest roles available in our services.