Our Educators

Alanna Conway

Director and Nominated Supervisor

Qualifications

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)

Educational Beliefs Statement

I am extremely passionate about the early years, not only because it’s such a unique, fun and free time of life, but also because this is when the majority of brain development occurs. For me, this is of extreme importance, and I believe we all need to be supporting our young children to learn in ways that are relevant, supportive and encouraging, so they have the best chance of moving forward and thriving in life.

Favourite Part of Kindy

It would have to be the background soundtrack of children noise – the playing, singing, laughing and just thoroughly enjoying their time, living and learning in the moment. A close second though, is heading out for lunch, hearing about what’s going on in their day, and getting to see all of their delicious lunches!

Debby Kelly

Teacher - Kuta 1

Qualifications

Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood
Bachelor of Education Studies

Educational Belief Statement

I believe that children already possess a wide range of knowledge, skills, attitudes and understandings about the world and their place within it. In partnership with parents I believe in creating a learning environment where all children will feel safe and supported. I believe children to be curious and they learn best when engaged in play that fosters discovery and exploration, sharing ideas and is in collaboration with others

My Favourite Part of Kindy

Alderley Kindy is built around its community, the educators, children and families. It is filled with history, heart and passion. From the moment you step through the gate you experience a sense of warmth and engagement.

Elaine Granahan

Educator - Kubbi 1

Qualifications

Certificate III in Children’s Services

Educational Beliefs Statement

I believe every child deserves an education, and the long life of learning beings in the early years. Each child is unique, and learns at their own pace. Children should be able to explore, question, create, investigate and have fun in their experiences through play. children should feel safe and supportive in all areas in their learning.

Favourite Part of Kindy

What I love about Alderley Kindy is the community feel. Everyone helps out. I love working with the children, seeing them grow and develop throughout the year. I love nurturing the children into their own being and creating memories for them and their families.

Charlotte Smith

Kubbi 2 Educator and Kindy Club (OHC) Educator

Qualifications

Certificate III in Children’s Services
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy – working towards

Bec Lechowski

Kuta 1 Inclusion Support Educator

Qualifications

Diploma in Children’s Services

Janelle Blatchly-Read

Kindy Club (OHC) Educator

Qualifications

Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care

Autumn Dawn

Kindy Club (OHC) Educator

Qualifications

Bachelor of Educational Studies

Jemma Manning

Kuta 2 Teacher & Educational Leader

Qualifications

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)

Educational Beliefs Statement

My experience as a teacher has highlighted to me the absolute importance of listening and meeting the individual needs and interests of each child. This is essential to maximise their potential for learning and encourages them to become lifelong learners who are kind and fair citizens in our world. Therefore, I see my job as a teacher to be a co constructor of children’s learning, to create environments that encourage creative learning and freedom, which in turn creates a place of joy, respect and belonging.

Favourite Part of Kindy

My favourite part of Kindy is the children. This may seem cliche, but truly, I love working with children. I love their curiosity and love of learning. I love seeing their eyes light up when they learn through play, the friendships that they form and how they blossom throughout their year at Kindy in their own special ways.

Naomi Grant

Teacher Kubbi 2

Qualifications

Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (currently enrolled)

My previous 20 years were spent teaching Prep for Brisbane Catholic Education. Early Childhood is my passion. It is where the magic all begins.

Educational Beliefs Statement

I believe that children flourish and learn best in a respectful, nurturing, child-initiated play-based environment that works towards fostering self-confidence, trust, creativity, autonomy, and acceptance of individual differences through their everyday practices and program. It is a given that the magic of childhood should be preserved! That wonder, the imagination, the pure joy that explodes from every pore of their being when mastering a new skill, the very essence that makes us all want to become a child again!

Favourite Part of Kindy

Can I say – ALL OF IT??

Why Kindy? It is where the independent learning journey truly begins. Parents have already put in so much effort as their child’s first teacher. I adore being witness to those first steps navigating their new wide open world.

Why Alderley Kindergarten? – I honestly don’t know what magic it possesses but you feel it the moment you walk through the door, you know that you never want to leave.

Dara Hayward

Kubbi 2 Educator & Kuta 1 Educator (Wednesday)

Qualifications

Certificate III in Children’s Services

Educational Beliefs Statement

I believe that the Early Years are integral to a child’s development, so it’s important that the time they spend at Kindergarten is a balance of happiness, learning and fun. It’s the stage where they start to become their own people in an educational setting and I love being able to help in providing that they have a safe, nurturing and supportive environment while at Kindy.

Favourite Part of Kindy

My favourite part about Kindy is making connections with the children and watching them grow and develop throughout the year. I love seeing their personalities come out over their time with us and gaining the confidence to make the move to “big” school.

Anna Salzgeber

Kubbi 2 Inclusion Support Educator

Qualifications

Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Tennealle Muller

Enrolments Administrator

Qualifications

Bachelor of International Studies (Globalisation)

My 3 children have attended Alderley Kindergarten over the past 4 years running, and it is such a magical environment and gives them the best possible preparation for school. The staff are amazing and there is a wonderful community environment, with plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Di Barnes

Teacher – Kubbi 1

Qualifications

Diploma of Teaching (Primary, specialising in Early childhood Education
Cert III in Children’s Services and a Diploma of Children’s Services
Associate Diploma in Theological Studies.

Educational Beliefs Statement

I believe that all children have the right to be treated with respect and to feel safe at all times. I believe that childhood should be valued and enjoyed in its own right but it also needs to be recognised that we are laying the foundations for successful life-long learning.

I believe that children are naturally eager and curious to learn, confident about their own abilities and are absorbed in tasks of their own choosing and have the ability to remain absorbed where motivation and interest are high. I recognise and support the interconnectedness of the pre-prep classroom and the family and endeavour to promote this relationship within my program. Families are a valuable part of the children’s overall development and should be treated with respect and consideration.

Favourite Part of Kindy

Seeing the children’s faces as they accomplish something that they had previously had difficulty with!

Shannon Young

Educator in Kuta 1 / Kuta 2

Qualifications

Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

Educational Beliefs Statement

I believe as Educators our role is to embrace both the children’s ideas and the skills they need to develop, and weave them together so that the children have fun whilst learning the necessary skills to prepare them for their future schooling career.

Favourite Part of Kindy

Watching the children develop of the course of the year they are with us. They really become part of our family!

Davina Kempnich

Educator in Kuta 1 & Kuta 2

Qualifications

Bachelor of Educational Studies
Diploma of Children’s Services (Early Childhood Education and care)
Certificate 111 In Children’s Services

Educational Beliefs Statement

I am passionate about the education of our young children and believe that learning through play is the cornerstone of early childhood development. A child’s sense of belonging and connectedness is an essential element of early learning and development. My educational philosophy upholds the belief that this connectedness begins within the context of the ‘village’ where family and those close to the child contribute to early learning. By forming strong bonds with those foremost in children’s lives and being open to ongoing professional learning, I believe my role as an early childhood educator is to enable children’s pathways to subsequent learning.

Favourite Part of Kindy

My favourite part about Kindy is singing and dancing with the children. I love to see their happy faces and enjoy watching as they engage with the program.