Our educators are fully qualified and very experienced – many have been with us for more than 5 years. They are dedicated to their roles and attend regular professional development training.
Eve Hawkes
Director
Diploma in Teaching (ECE) / Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management / Cert 4 in Training and Assessment
I graduated Teacher College in 1979. I have been the Director in a variety of services over the years – Community-Based Preschools, Long Day Care, Early Intervention, Campus Based Care, and lastly the Director here at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten since January 1994. I am extremely proud to be the Director of this service and the leader of an extraordinarily talented, dedicated and knowledgeable team of educators and teachers. I was also extremely proud when our service was the first in Engadine to be assessed as “Exceeding” the National Quality Standards by the Department of Education and Communities – a very high honour. I strongly believe in our preschools’ philosophy and base every decision on its values and ideals. I firmly stand behind our services’ values of collaborative partnerships with children, families and the community, inclusion for all children, the care of our environment, individuality, the value of play-based learning and critical reflection of everything we do as we strive to be the best early childhood education and care service we can possibly be.
Emma Light
Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood
I completed my bachelor of education (early childhood education birth to 8 years) in 2005. Since then I have worked in a variety of services including occasional care, long day care, local government and for the past 13 years in community based preschools. I am a nurturing and caring early childhood teacher who is passionate about supporting and guiding children to identify and work through their feelings and emotions using the circle of security approach. I enjoy working collaboratively with the children to further extend on their knowledge of the world around them, extending on their ideas and interests as we explore, investigate and discover through play. I am passionate about creating learning environments that spark the children’s curiosity and wonder and provoke them to ask questions about the world they live in.
Renee Paynter
Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood / Associate Diploma in Social Studies (Child Care)
I completed my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) in 1995. I strongly believe in play-based learning and I am enthusiastic about creating learning environments that nurture children’s social and emotional wellbeing. I am committed to pedagogical practices which value and honour relationships between children, families and the community. Every child has a unique style of learning and brings with them their own individual personality. I believe these differences in learning and personality should be respected. In this ever changing and evolving world each child comes from varying backgrounds and upbringings I believe that it is imperative that these differences are nurtured and respected. I maintain that a child’s early educational experience plays a vital role in forming who they are and that every child has the right to have access to a high-quality early education service such as that is offered at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten.
Fiona Archer
Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood / Associate Diploma in Social Studies (Child Care)
I completed my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) in 1995. I strongly believe in play-based learning and I am enthusiastic about creating learning environments that nurture children’s social and emotional wellbeing. I am committed to pedagogical practices which value and honour relationships between children, families and the community. Every child has a unique style of learning and brings with them their own individual personality. I believe these differences in learning and personality should be respected. In this ever changing and evolving world each child comes from varying backgrounds and upbringings I believe that it is imperative that these differences are nurtured and respected. I maintain that a child’s early educational experience plays a vital role in forming who they are and that every child has the right to have access to a high-quality early education service such as that is offered at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten.
Anita Byers
Educator
National Nursery Examination Board UK - Australian Equivalency of Diploma in Children's Services
I was born, raised and completed my child care qualifications in England, before emigrating to Australia in 1987. I have experience working in preschools, long day care, home care, a residential children's home, as well as working with children who have additional needs. I am currently employed full time in the Bilby room.
Growing up, working with children was my dream job and each day I am able to to that, I am happy. I believe in play based learning and our preschool reflects this belief. Each child and their family bring their own story and whilst they are here at Engadine Preschool we get to play a special part in their journey, observe their growth and provide a positive influence to the beginnings of their educational experience.
Stevka Janic
Educator
Diploma in Children's Services
My love of teaching was sparked when my youngest daughter attended Engadine Preschool and I began working here as a casual staff member. This gave me the motivation to begin my studies as a mature aged student, completing my studies with my Diploma in Children’s Services and becoming a KU Scholarship recipient. I have been a member of Engadine Preschool since 2007 where I am the full-time permanent educator in the Gumnuts room.
Children have taught me to open my mind and heart to the joys, the innocence, and the diversity of ideas in the world. Because of this, I will never forget how to smile with the new, cherish the old, and laugh with the children.
Danielle Daniel
Educator
Diploma in Children's Services
I graduated from my diploma course to the highest possible standard and accolades from Sydney Institute of TAFE. I have worked at Engadine Preschool since 2011. I have a passion for early childhood education and believe that it is the most important stage of a child's life where they are able to have the opportunity to learn through play. My aim is for children to become diligent, respectful and involved members of our community. I also take pride in the partnership of raising children with their families. I believe when a child has that "Ah ha" moment, it's worth more than money and hence that is why I left a financial background to pursue a career in early childhood education.
Jacqueline Bleasel
Educator
Diploma in Early Childhood Education ad Care
I was born and raised in the Netherlands and immigrated to Australia in 1992, I speak fluent English, Dutch and German.
I have completed a Diploma in Children’s Services and have been working in Early Childhood Education and Care since 2005. I have had many different roles including live-in nanny, co-ordinating Playgroup, working in a Long Day Care Service as well as a Before and After School Care setting.
In 2012 my career at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten started as an inclusion support educator and have since become a full-time educator in the Gumnut Room. I enjoy exploring our natural learning environment with the children and incorporating sustainability in our every day practices. I believe in providing children with a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which children and their families feel respected, regardless of their ability, culture, values or religion. For me personally, it is very rewarding seeing children learn, grow and develop through play-based learning activities reaching their goals.
Rachel Piper
Educator
Diploma in Early Childhood Education
I was born in Sydney and live in the Sutherland Shire. I started working at Engadine Preschool in term 2, 2016. After gaining my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, I now work as an Educator at Engadine Preschool. I love watching children grow and learn from their experiences at preschool. It is wonderful to watch them develop great friendships and gain confidence in the classroom. I also enjoy seeing the children explore their environments and take pride in their achievements.
Jessica Gibson
Educator
Diploma in Early Childhood Education
In year six, I wrote that I wanted to be an early childhood educator. At 16, I left school to begin my dream. I started at TAFE and had my diploma by the age of 17. I have now been working in the industry for many years. I am studying for my bachelor of early childhood education and care degree, and I love what I do. I believe that young children are naturally imaginative and creative thinkers. I love fostering exploration and experimentation by encouraging open-ended play experiences that children can learn and grow from.
Jo Howard
Educator
Certificate III, Educator/Support Worker
I first started working with children in 2009 when I lived in Tokyo, Japan, where I started as a casual before being offered a full time roll in a Montessori pre school. I returned to Sydney in 2011 and worked in other Montessori schools and completed my Certificate III in 2013. 2014-2015 we lived in Singapore where I taught Learning Enrichment, English as a second language and worked with children up to 6 years of age. We moved to Texas where I had the privilege of working with special needs children up to 6 years old before returning to Sydney.
I commenced working at Engadine Preschool in August 2022 as a casual before being offered the part time role of a Educator/Support Worker part time which is my present role. I love watching the children explore, be creative and make special bonds at preschool.
Tahne Mobbs
Educator
Certificate III, Trainee Diploma
I am currently studying my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care whilst working at Engadine Preschool. I came to Engadine Preschool as a child, and now I am lucky enough to work with the teachers that nurtured me all those years ago. I love to be a part of the children’s learning and I enjoy making connections and watching their confidence grow. I believe that children’s individual interests and creativity should be celebrated, and it is important to me that everybody is appreciated and loved for who they are.
Monika Dunn
Administration Assistant/Bookkeeper
Certificate IV, Bookkeeping
I have been blessed to work in Community Based Preschools for the last 16 years. I worked at a preschool in Oatley for ten years and have been at Engadine for the last six years. I have also worked for short periods of time at two other Community Based Preschools within the Sutherland Shire.
My role involves assisting with enrolments, waitlist enquiries, many admin related duties, issuing fees, all finance tasks and much more. I love all aspects of my job, however the highlight is definitely the children. It is a wonderful thing to see the children everyday and to see them learn, grow and have fun!