Janene Reidy and her best friend Lisa Claxton have both just celebrated significant work anniversaries. So has their workplace, which began operating 70 years ago.

Mrs Reidy has been at Bendigo Pre-school for 30 years.

Mrs Claxton has been in the industry for 30 years and at the preschool for 20.

Children have changed in that time, Mrs Reidy said.

“They are more knowing. They are quite intelligent with what they’re coming in to do. Maybe their iPads and technology does have a little bit of play in that,” she said.

“A lot of them are quite confident.”

Perhaps that is because children’s parents are more likely to work, Mrs Reidy said.

“They used to be home a lot more. But now the little tackers are in day care and away from family, so I feel like they learn a lot more,” she said.

Mrs Claxton said there were a lot more allergies and sensitivities than 30 years ago, but children these days had much in common with those preceding them.

“The basic need for love, play, acceptance and that feeling of belonging, that hasn’t changed at all,” she said.

More education news: Public schools ‘shortchanged’ under current funding model

Mrs Reidy said she loved working with children.

“I get such satisfaction out of watching them grow from the first day in kindergarten.”

Mrs Reidy said people she had taught were now returning to the preschool with their own children.

“We’ve got one little boy starting next year and I taught his mum. This is her third child to come through,” she said.

Spending time with Mrs Claxton was a big part of what kept Mrs Reidy coming back.

Mrs Claxton said it was a privilege to work with her best friend.

“There’s been lots of laughter, lots of kindness and lots of sharing the good and challenging times,” she said.

“It’s mateship. Good old-fashioned Aussie mateship. The love between us is a really special thing that spreads to our families and our kinder children.”

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.