Highgate

“As the director of Leaps and Bounds Preschool, I’m dedicated to creating a warm and inspiring environment where every child feels valued and excited to learn. Bringing my Brazilian heritage into our preschool, I blend cultural experiences to help build a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels they belong. Strong relationships with families and the community are central to what we do. We know that when parents and educators team up, children benefit the most. That’s why we regularly host family events and community gatherings to strengthen these connections and support each child’s growth. I believe in keeping things transparent and communicating openly. By staying connected and working together, we create a positive space where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. At Leaps and Bounds Preschool, my goal is to consider every child, family, and educator can growth, with an emphasis on the heart, hands, and mind.”

Over my many years of working with children I have been lucky to enough to spend time with, and gain experience in all age groups ranging from 0-5. In the past I have led both toddler and kindy rooms, through these opportunities I garnered a real passion for children’s holistic learning which I am now able to share as Educational Leader. My personal philosophy is greatly influenced by John Bowlby, I really value and seek to build close relationships with all the children and families in my care as I believe that trust and open communication is the key for a secure foundation. My pedagogy style is based around providing opportunities, responsibility and choices in an enriching and stimulating environment, through this I can support each individual child and cater to their needs. I aim to bring a bubbly and warm presence every day and love getting my hands messy alongside the children, when children play, I am able to learn about each personality and all of the uniqueness that comes along with it.

“In my approach to early childhood education, I believe that the essence of a joyful learning environment starts with my own enthusiasm and enjoyment. When I’m engaged and excited about the activities and experiences I share with the children, that energy naturally translates into their own sense of fun and curiosity. By embracing a playful and positive attitude, I create an atmosphere where learning becomes an adventure, and where the children’s laughter and excitement are a natural outcome of our shared experiences. This mutual enjoyment not only fosters a love for learning but also builds meaningful connections and a supportive community, where every child feels valued and inspired.”

“I believe that creating strong partnerships with children and families are formed through reciprocal and respectful relationships and provide the children with a sense of belonging. Our daily practice is inclusive and respectful of our multicultural society and we acknowledge the uniqueness of each child in our care. We believe that children thrive when encouraged to explore and discover in an active learning environment. We endeavor to achieve this through hands-on learning, projects, themes and individual learning to engage and activate students’ learning.”

With over three years of experience working at L&B, I have found my true passion in nurturing and educating young minds. During this time, I have successfully completed my Certificate III and Diploma while working alongside my dedicated team at Leaps & Bounds Preschool. This journey has been incredibly inspiring and has only deepened my commitment to this field. One of the core philosophies that resonates with me is the approach of Lev Vygotsky. I firmly believe that social interaction is a crucial vehicle for child development across linguistic, social, and cognitive domains. Children learn best when they engage with someone more capable, whether it be teachers or parents. By fostering positive and meaningful relationships between educators and parents, we can help children reach their full potential. As a Malaysian, I bring a rich cultural background to my role, incorporating diverse cultural perspectives into curriculum planning. I strive to help each child appreciate and embrace their own cultural heritage. To me, being a good educator means treating each child as if they were my own, ensuring they feel trusted and supported. I aim to be a reliable figure in their lives, akin to a second parent, fostering a safe and nurturing environment for their growth.

Hello! My name is Wendy, and I am an Early Childhood Teacher with a strong background in Nursing, Health and Nutrition, and Early Childhood Education. My choice to enter the education profession was inspired by my grandfather, a respected professor, whose dedication to teaching showed me that education is not only about knowledge but also about shaping lives and inspiring future generations. My philosophy is that every child is a capable, unique, and curious learner who thrives when respected, supported, and empowered. I believe that play is the most powerful medium for children’s learning because it fosters curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and meaningful social connections. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, I design child-centred programs that nurture children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.

I value partnerships with families, as they are the most important influence in children’s lives. By working closely with families and communities, I ensure continuity, consistency, and a strong sense of belonging in children’s learning journeys. I am also committed to inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into my teaching. As an ECT, I see myself as both a teacher and a lifelong learner.

I’ve been working for Leaps and Bounds for over three years. I’m truly passionate about teaching children. I believe all children should learn in a warm, safe and nurturing environment and I am dedicated to giving children the very best start in life, that’s why I believe in the importance of supporting children not just academically but socially and emotionally. Learning should be a fun experience that children look forward to. I want to spend my time creating this positive experience for children to help support their development into happy confident individuals.

My name is Sheree, and I am excited to be joining Leaps and Bounds as an educator. I’ve been working with children for nearly ten years, and I’m passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel confident to explore, learn, and grow. I believe children learn best through play and meaningful experiences. My goal is to support each child’s individuality, spark their curiosity, and build strong, respectful relationships with both children and families.

My name is Mr. Rory, and I am thrilled to be joining the Wallaby Room team. Since 2022, I have been working in childcare and am currently completing my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over this time, I have discovered a deep passion for teaching and supporting children as they learn and grow. As a proud dad to a 4-year-old daughter, I truly understand the importance of creating a safe, caring, and engaging environment where children feel supported and valued. This perspective inspires me every day in my work!

I especially enjoy introducing children to the benefits of physical activity and sports, as I believe they play a vital role in teaching teamwork, resilience, discipline, and confidence skills that support children in all areas of life. Outside of work, I enjoy fishing and playing sports, which keep me active and grounded.

I look forward to sharing my energy, and enthusiasm with the Wallaby Room and to building a strong partnership with you all throughout the year!

My name is Maria, and I am excited to join L&B and support your child’s learning journey. I am from Brazil and am currently completing my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

I am passionate about supporting children’s growth and development in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. I believe that children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful connections.

My goal is to provide opportunities for each child to develop socially, emotionally, and intellectually while feeling valued and supported. I also look forward to building strong partnerships with families and working together to ensure your child has a positive and joyful experience at our centre!”

Hi Families, my name is Jackie, and I am originally from Ghana and bring with me a deep appreciation for community, connection and caring for the environment. As an educator, I strive to create a safe and welcoming space where every child feels respected and supported. I am currently working towards my Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma.

I enjoy working closely with families and feel proud to be part of each child’s learning journey, offering patience, love and encouragement. My goal is to help children explore and be confident learners. My teaching is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which sees children as capable and full of potential. I believe children learn best when they are free to explore, ask questions and be creative. I also love learning and growing alongside them every day.

Hello, my name’s Rebecca and I’m from Melbourne. I am currently completing my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with Gateway Academy.

I have a background in Biology and a year of experience tutoring years 6 to 12 as a science tutor. I also have a wonderful niece and nephew who I’ve had the pleasure of seeing grow and develop and through this I’ve learnt the value of education particularly in the early years as I believe this is a crucial and foundation building stage in the child’s life.

In practice, I embrace intentional teaching, scaffolding children’s learning using play-based and inquiry-driven activities that are tailored to the individual learning needs of each child. By offering opportunities for exploration and experimentation, I aim to challenge their thinking while supporting their natural curiosity, allowing them to build their understanding through real-life experiences

As someone with a passion for the environment I also place importance on children experiencing the natural world. Through sustainable practices, embedding nature into the curriculum and teaching children STEM related concepts I believe that children can be empowered to feel a sense of respect for the environment and connectedness to the world around them

“Cooking for my family and community is my true passion! I am truly passionate about teaching healthy eating habits early on in life as it has positive effects on little minds. I love to role model a variety of nutritious meals and explore cultural ingredients for children to enjoy.”

“I’ve always believed that every child can contribute greatness to the world. Therefore, each child must be given plenty of opportunities to create, to be themselves, to be different and to be someone who they want to be. Early childhood being an important stage for children to develop abilities and potential, I am committed to dedicate my time and effort to create an environment where children can freely express themselves, learn and explore in the most enjoyable way. I believe that quality time, physical presence, communication and emotional support is an important factor that frames good connection, strong relationship and strong foundation for children’s learning and development.”