The most important ingredient in providing a high quality educational and care service is our wonderful team!
At Elanora Heights Community preschool we are very fortunate to have a wonderful team of highly professional, experienced and caring educators who teach and care for our children.
Heidi
Director/Nominated Supervisor and Early Childhood Teacher | Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 years)
Heidi is the Director/Nominated Supervisor of the preschool. She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 years) and is an experienced, enthusiastic teacher working in the Koala Room with Anthea and Bek (3 Day Group), and the office on Thursday and Friday.
Heidi is passionate about creative play based learning, sustainability and the inclusion of Aboriginal culture and social justice in early childhood. With a background in management in the creative and dramatic arts industry, Heidi has wide ranging abilities that allow her to apply these skills to her teaching and leadership role. She has also worked on a number of environmental enrichment programs and sustainable projects across Sydney, including the ‘Greener Sydney 2000’ project, Mason Park Wetlands Flora and Fauna Study, Blackheath Bushcare Project, Taronga Zoo Bush Regeneration and The Bush Tucker Track at La Perouse.
In 2010, Heidi was awarded the KU Children’s Services Scholarship for ‘Outstanding Academic & Practical Achievement’.
Heidi is employed full-time from Monday-Friday
Hazel
Educational Leader and Early Childhood Teacher | Bachelors Degree in Education (Early Childhood 3-12 years)
Hazel is our Educational Leader at preschool. She teaches with Liza in the Possum Room (3 Day Group) and holds a Bachelors Degree in Education (Early Childhood 3-12 years). Hazel has taught extensively in the UK covering a range of age groups, as well as, working as an additional needs teacher and music teacher. She has a background in management and leadership and was appointed the role of ‘Acting Principal’ at a primary school in England. Hazel was the youngest ever principal in the county and successfully lead the school from a ‘needing help’ school to a ‘successful’ school!
Hazel is an enthusiastic and passionate teacher who enjoys sharing her musical talents and interests with the children. With three children of her own, Hazel has many connections and links with our local schools and community.
Hazel is employed part-time from Monday-Wednesday
Liza
Early Childhood Educator | Diploma of Children’s Services (Community Services)
Liza teaches with Hazel (3 Day Group) and Anthea (2 Day Group) in the Possum Room. She holds a Diploma of Community Services (Child Studies) and has been part of our preschool family for well over ten years! Liza actively supports our preschool fundraising committee each year, as well as, participating in several fundraising and sporting events throughout the year such as, ‘Coast Trek’ (with Anthea) and Spartan Race. Liza has also worked as a volunteer in a children’s orphanage in Cambodia for several years during the January school holidays.
Liza is employed full-time from Monday-Friday
Anthea
Early Childhood Educator | Diploma of Children’s Services (Community Services)
Anthea teaches with Heidi in the Koala Room (3 Day Group) and Liza in the Possum Room (2 Day Group). She holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and with four active children of her own, is a well-known member of our local community. Anthea is actively involved in annual fundraising events within the preschool, along with raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation’s ‘World’s Greatest Shave’. She also often participates in the 50K ‘Coast Trek’ walk (with Liza) in support of the Fred Hollows Foundation.
Anthea is employed part-time Monday-Wednesday
Josie
Early Childhood Teacher | Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Josie teaches with Rachel in the Koala Room (2 Day Group). She holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and joined our team in 2017. Josie is an enthusiastic and highly experienced teacher that brings a smile to everyone she meets.
Josie is employed part-time from Thursday-Friday
Rachel
Early Childhood Educator | Diploma of Children’s Services (Community Services)
Rachel joined our team in 2015 and teaches with Josie in the Koala Room (2 Day Group). She holds a Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services) and recently returned to preschool after maternity leave. Rachel is an experienced and enthusiastic educator who is passionate about providing quality early childhood education.
Bek
Early Childhood Educator | Certificate III (Children’s Services)
Bek is our support teacher (Additional Needs) in the Koala Room (3 Day Group). She holds a Certificate 111 in Child Studies and is also a qualified yoga teacher. Bek is an active fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation’s ‘World’s Greatest Shave’ (hence her various hair colours and styles!) and is passionate about sustainability, art and craft. Bek enjoys sharing her passion for mindfulness and yoga at preschool.
Bek is employed part-time from Monday-Wednesday
Dearne
Early Childhood Educator | Certificate III (Children’s Services)
Dearne is our support teacher (Additional Needs) in the Possum Room (Monday – Friday). She holds a Certificate 111 in Child Studies and is currently working towards her Diploma (Early Childhood Education). She has previously served seven years with NSW Police and is a busy mum raising two young boys.
Dearne is employed part-time from Monday-Friday
Angela
Early Childhood Teacher | Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
We welcomed Angela as part of our team at the beginning of Term 3. She works in the Possum room on Thursdays and Fridays bringing some wonderful new ideas to share with the younger Possums.
Lynne
Early Childhood Educator | Certificate III (Children’s Services)
Lynne joined us in 2019, as a support teacher (Additional Needs) in the Koala Room (Thursday – Friday). She holds a Certificate 111 in Children’s Services and brings a wealth of experience to preschool after running her own family daycare for 2 years.
Lynne is employed part-time from Thursday-Friday
Cheryl
Early Childhood Educator | Certificate III (Children’s Services)
Cheryl joined our team in 2018, as a support teacher (Additional Needs) in the Koala Room (Wednesday – Friday). She holds a Certificate 111 in Children’s Services and is currently working towards her Diploma (Early Childhood Education). Cheryl is a well known and much loved member of the community that brings love and light to everyone she meets.
Cheryl is employed as casual staff
Isobel Gowenlock
Administrative Officer
Isobel is our Administrative Officer and is usually the first contact children and families have with the preschool. She is a friendly, reliable and approachable member of the team and has been part of our preschool family for over twenty years!
In 1996 the Board of Directors nominated Isobel for the Employer’s Federation ‘Employee of the Year’.
Isobel is employed full-time from Monday-Friday
Volunteers
We are also extremely fortunate to have a team of wonderful volunteers each week at preschool – Alison (ex-Director of the preschool) and Jean (preschool neighbour/local community member) .
Alison volunteers in the Koala Room once or twice a week and is a much loved and reliable member of our casual teaching staff; Jean lives just down the road from preschool and loves helping the children with their daily play and routines at preschool twice a week. She volunteers in the Possum Room and is a wonderful nurturing ‘Grandmother’ figure to all the children (and staff!) at preschool.
We are a very passionate and dedicated team with loyal and long serving educators and staff. All Educators are highly trained Early Childhood Professionals with extensive experience and knowledge of our local community. All team members have First Aid, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma and Child Protection training and qualifications.
Our preschool implements the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Framework (NQF) and continuously work towards our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). All team members are supported to attend ongoing professional development programs, short courses and webinars to keep up-to-date on the latest early childhood research, emerging technology, curriculum resources and to stay well informed of current pedagogical practices.
