Our Educators

Janet

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER – EXTENDED CARE

Janet completed her Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) at Melbourne University in 1990 and since then has worked with children in a variety of settings. Her 3 big children attended OAK and she is delighted to have recently rejoined this kindergarten community. Janet particularly enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for nature, music and art/craft with the children.

Kylie

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR – PURPLE GROUP

Kylie has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and care, she joined OAK in 2022 in the purple group and then also in red group. Along with working at OAK, Kylie also works with children with additional needs. Kylie loves being apart of the children’s growth and play, helping them to discover and discuss their interests and to expand on their learning.

Cynthia

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER – PURPLE GROUP

Cynthia has worked at OAK for over 10 years and she loves our little kinder! She believes that play-based learning provides children with valuable skills that help them develop holistically and at their own pace. She enjoys teaching children to love and care for their environment and creating a sense of belonging to the kinder.

Maudie

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER – YELLOW GROUP

Maudie believes that nurturing and responsive relationships are central to an engaging and effective learning environment. She is committed to supporting children in being responsive and considerate towards their peers, so that together, we build group cohesiveness. Maudie’s aim is to create a space where children want to be.

Melina

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR – PURPLE GROUP

Melina believes that learning should be fun and play based aiming to nurture and encourage children to use their imaginations while observing and interacting with the world around them. She has worked with children for many years teaching arts as well as sports. Melina has a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, enjoying all aspects of interacting and teaching young children as it is always full of surprises!

Su

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER – ORANGE GROUP

Su completed her Masters of Teaching at Deakin University back in 2017 and have been at OAK since 2020. One of her philosophies is believing that play can help children learn about the world around them and to have high expectations for them.

Denise

NOMINATED SUPERVISOR AND EDUCATIONAL LEADER

Denise has a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education and has extensive experience in both early childhood and special education settings. She believes that a supported and resourced Educator team leads to the best outcomes for children.

Shelley

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR – RED GROUP

Shelley has a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education. She joined OAK as a co-educator in 2016 but was part of the OAK community prior to that while her son attended 3 and 4 year old kinder. Shelley is excited to be a part of children’s early learning journey by helping young minds grow and believes that children have the right to be accepted into a caring environment in which they can learn, grow and develop self-confidence.

Nicole

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER – RED GROUP

OAK welcomed Nicole in 2019 as the Blue Group Educator and in 2020 she will also take on the role of Yellow Group Educator. Nicole has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and has many years’ experience in Early Childhood. She aims to create an atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, nurturing, and natural whilst always catering to each child’s individual needs. Nicole believes children learn through play therefore it is of upmost importance that the environment provided facilitates development of creativity, exploration and imagination.

Raquel

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR – RED GROUP

Raquel is in her final year of a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education and is passionate about supporting children’s learning and development. She values play-based, engaging experiences that nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. She believes that every child is capable and full of potential, and she is committed to creating learning environments where children feel valued and inspired to explore. Raquel is dedicated to building a warm, inclusive atmosphere where every child feels a strong sense of belonging and is supported to become confident, capable individuals.