MEET OUR STAFF
Extended Hours Kindergarten
Allison
Director, Nominated Supervisor and Extended Hours Kindergarten Teacher
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, The University of Melbourne
Allison is the Director and Nominated Supervisor of Lady Forster Kindergarten. She is also the kindergarten teacher in our Extended Hours Program.
With over 20 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher, Allison has been with Lady Forster Kindergarten since its earlier days in Port Melbourne and treasures the historic links back to the kindergarten’s beginnings back in 1924.
Allison has been central in the development of LFK’s coastal curriculum encouraging children’s connection to the local bush and foreshore of Elwood. Her commitment to play-based learning philosophies pervades all aspects of the kindergarten, “helping to prepare the children for life, not just for school”.
Highly regarded by her peers in the profession, Allison brings a wealth of experience to her multiple roles as Director, Educational Leader and Teacher at the kindergarten.
Kate
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), UNITEC, Auckland, New Zealand
International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, Montessori Centre International, London, UK
Kate joins our Extended Hours Kindergarten teaching team in 2023 and is passionate about the early years.
She places great value in responsive relationships with the community of learners. She strongly believes that everything we learn arises from the relationships we engage in and looks forward to developing and upholding a positive, nurturing and inspiring environment that adheres to the principles and practices of a rich and reciprocal relationship of learning.
Kate has worked in the Early Childhood sector for the past 25 years and has been fortunate to live and teach children in the UK, Hong Kong, New Zealand and home in Australia.
Kate has a 7 month old Moodle called Riley that she loves exploring the local Elwood community and great outdoors with.
Paige
Activity Group Leader
Completing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (ACU)
Paige has a passion for teaching young children and believes all children are capable, competent learners and is strongly committed to a ‘play-based learning’ approach where children have the freedom to express and explore their environment at their own pace, without interruption. A key member of the LFK team, Paige was promoted to Activity Group Leader in 2021 and now leads the After Care Team and the Friday Care and Holiday Programs each term.
Helen
Diploma Qualified Educator
Diploma of Children’s Services – Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Helen welcomes our early starters at the kindergarten each day with Kashish, working the morning shift at the kindergarten. Helen has been working with children since 2002 in a range of different settings including a bush kinder program. Her two passions are children, and working with children in the natural environment – witnessing the difference in play and interactions when children are immersed in nature.
Mary Jane ("MJ")
Co-Educator
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Gowrie Victoria
MJ is passionate about the environment and all that lives in it. She enjoys exploring the wonders of the natural world with the children.
With the support of LFK, MJ completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in March 2020. MJ works across all our programs including our Friday Care program providing valuable support in her part-time role. Rarely seen without something green and growing in her hands, MJ maintains our beautiful kitchen garden and other green spaces and encourages children’s engagement with these spaces.
Roshell
Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)
Roshell is a familiar face at LFK having worked on many occasions as a casual educator at LFK prior to her current role with Paige covering the later shift. Roshell has a Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) and will study to complete her Masters qualification.
Kashish
Diploma Qualified Educator
Holmesglen Institute of Tafe/Guardian Early Learning and Education
Kashish together with Helen, are our ‘opening’ educators working the morning shift at kindergarten each day.
Kashish is dedicated to creating an atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, safe and adaptive to each child’s individual needs. She has worked as a room leader in early learning services and is the most recent addition to the LFK team, keen to learn about community kindergarten.
Sessional Kindergarten
Liza
3 and 4 Year Old Sessional Kindergarten Teacher
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, Monash University
Liza joined our team at the beginning of 2017 bringing with her over 15 years’ experience in early childhood education. She teaches both 3 and 4 Year Old Sessional Kindergarten programs at the kindergarten and believes children are capable and need ‘hands-on’, real life experiences to build self-confidence and resilience.
She loves the location of the kindergarten, nestled in the bush and beach surrounds, enabling the children to develop a deep and respectful love of nature through their time at the kindergarten.
Saara
Co-Educator
Certificate III in Children’s Services, Gowrie Victoria
Saara has been with Lady Forster Kindergarten for over 11 years Saara has enjoyed seeing families of siblings pass through the kindergarten. She brings a wealth of experience to her role assisting Liza Taylor in the Sessional Kindergarten programs for 3 and 4 year old children.
Saara works Monday to Thursday in these programs.
Administration
Julie
Manager
Bachelor of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
Julie manages the administration, operations and compliance side of the kindergarten and is the ‘go to’ person for enrolments, bookings and all administration aspects of LFK.
