She said watching her students develop is the most rewarding aspect of her career.

“Children are just wonderful,” she said.

“Part of the job is watching them become into themselves and develop their own personality. I think it’s wonderful and magical and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

The Queanbeyan resident has however decided this year of teaching will be her last, announcing  she will retire in December.

Mrs Kerr has been the director of the Nicholls Early Childhood Centre since it opened 20 years ago.

Mrs Kerr said she took on the role as director in the new centre as a way to expand her career.

She said when she started the job, many of the streets and houses in the Gungahlin suburb were still yet to be built.

“The early-childhood centre, pre-school and primary school were all being built together,” she said.

“Everything there was being built, back then there weren’t any street signs.”

However, it hasn't only been Canberra suburbs that have changed during her more than five decades as an early-childhood educator.

Mrs Kerr said the approach to many aspects to teaching has changed dramatically in that time.

“When I first began teaching, parents brought their child along and left them at the door and just came back to pick them up at the appointed time,” she said.

“Back then there was no communication with the teachers and there was no input from parents.

“But all the research shows children do most of their learning in their first five years.”

The decision to retire was not an easy one, the teacher said, with fellow staff members at the early-childhood centre saying her replacement will have a big shoes to fill.

Despite her retirement, Mrs Kerr said she won’t give up teaching and working with children altogether, but not before some travelling with her husband.

“I’m hoping to do some volunteering and using my experience and knowledge in other ways,” she said.

“I can’t let go of it, I have to keep my finger on the pulse.”