The Kids on Rennie childcare team

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.”

~ Margaret Mead

Our Centre Director Michelle

Hi I am Michelle and I am the Centre Director at Kids on Rennie.

My background includes 36 years experience in Early Childhood in Bendigo and Geelong. I have an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services and Frontline Business Management.

I believe every child is unique and can achieve anything with the right guidance, support and learning to help them succeed and I am privileged to be in a position to provide that guidance, support and learning. I have a commitment to continuity and open relationships with families.

My husband and I love travelling and spending time with our 16 nieces and nephews.

I am proud to be part of the Kids on Rennie team and am looking forward to having your family come and join ours.

Our Assistant Centre Director Michelle

Hello! I am Michelle #2, Assistant Centre Director at Kids on Rennie.

I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 15 years, 8 of these in a management position. I recently moved from Perth WA with my family and we currently live in Geelong.

I absolutely love my role. I feel privileged to be in a position where I can support families and get to know all of the gorgeous children in our centre. I love working closely with Michelle #1 to ensure we are building an exceptional centre with high quality care.

I believe children are society’s greatest asset. They are our future, and there is nothing more fascinating than seeing the world through a child’s eyes.

I am a mummy to four beautiful children. My husband and I love taking them and our dog for family camping trips. I enjoy playing netball, love animals and good food!

Our Chef Harry

My name is Hardip Narendersingh Narang. Everyone knows me by name “Harry”. I am From India and studied my cookery over there. I came to Australia in 2005 and pursued further studies in cookery and pastry chef. I am a qualified Pastry Chef from William Angliss institute, Melbourne.

I started my career working in a restaurant as a chef where I used to do short order cooking and learned my way. In 2007 I first worked in a childcare setting in Camberwell and that’s when I became aware of this industry and fell in love with working with children and cooking for them.

I am married and have two daughters of my own.

I love cooking with children and learning from their creativity. Sometimes children surprise me with their creativity! I love providing them a nutritional and balanced meal to help them grow and be happy and healthy.

It’s now been 13 years working with children and have learned a lot during this journey and still learning! I am looking forward to cooking with kids, gardening with them, playing with them, incorporating balanced meals for them and many more activities as they come by at Kids on Rennie

Our Silver Banksia Early Childhood Teacher Melanie

Hi families,

My name is Mel and I am the Silver Banksia Teacher.

I began Early Childhood studies in 2013 and over the last 6 years have worked as a teacher, relief teacher and educational leader in a variety of early years services including long-day-care, sessional kindergartens and occasional care.

I live locally in Lara with my husband and three children.

I love learning and I love supporting and encouraging children and other adults to learn and grow in a nurturing environment. I believe that learning is an active process for both adults and children alike. Big and little people all benefit from an inviting and engaging environment, respectful and caring relationships, and having their strengths, interests, culture and ideas being recognized and appreciated. I believe that children actively co-construct their learning and that learning happens not just inside the mind but in and through all senses, with many different expressions, through social relationships and within the context of family and culture.

Our Blue Gum Lead Educator Michelle

My name is Michelle.

I have been working approximately 15 years in this industry. I started in Family Day Care when my children were little, then moved to centre-based care when we lived in Colac.

We moved to Geelong to give our children more opportunities, especially for my son to attend St Joseph’s College. This brought us to a lovely place called Lara.

I have worked locally since, then started at Kids on Rennie on the very first opening day.

I really get so much delight from my job. I love watching the children grow and develop. It gives me so much joy. I especially love working with the babies; it gives me such fulfillment.

I have been married to my husband Adam for 21 years. We have 3 children and 2 dogs. We are a close family who spend time together either watching each other play sport or walking the dogs. We have been fortunate to have travelled together both overseas and around Australia. Some of our favourite places are Croatia, Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, Nevada and Paris. We have visited 2 Disneylands: in Paris and Hong Kong.

Our next goal is to visit the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Our Blue Gum Educator Samara

Hello Families!

My name is Samara.

I’m a Lara local and mother of two beautiful young children.

I am a Certificate III qualified educator and early childhood education is something that I’ve always had a passion for.

I am a firm believer that a child’s love for learning starts from the very beginning and I am feeling so privileged to be part of your children’s educational journey!

Please feel free to come and say hello when you see me around. I am here in the Blue Gum Room on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I can’t wait to get to know all of you and your beautiful children!

Our Hedge Wattle Lead Educator Kassie

My name is Kassidy. I have been in the early childhood industry for 7 years. I’m very passionate and dedicated to providing children with a fun educational program that is based on children’s interests, and providing them with experiences that enrich their learning and development.

I have a 2 year old son Sebastien. I love camping in my free time and portrait drawing. I also love to apply my creativity through fun messy play activities with the children.

I am looking forward to fostering an inclusive environment for children to not only grow but also have fun!

I feel privileged to be an educator, and to be able to support every child and help them achieve their goals.

Our Hedge Wattle Educator Amy

Hello my name is Amy and I’m one of the educators here at Kids on Rennie. I currently work as an Assistant Educator in the Hedge Wattle Room which has been a really enjoyable experience.

I have a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, and have worked in the childcare industry for over 3 years. I find this to be a very rewarding career and love what I do. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow as they learn new skills along the way.

I believe that each child is an individual and as an educator I will value and develop each child’s strengths, interests, skills, abilities and knowledge to extend their learning.

Hi my name is Hayley Pamplin.

and I have been in the childcare industry for 7 years.

I first started working as an educator in Melbourne where I learnt a lot about each age group and about the different cultures.I believe that a child’s needs and learning are the most important aspects of their development in the early years .

Therefor my aim is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that caters for each child’s individual needs and in providing a positive,fun,safe and inclusive and welcoming environment, to ensure quality of care is met. In my spare time I love photography, camping and metal detecting. I also enjoy spending time with my family. I’m so excited to be a part of the team at kids on Rennie 🙂

Our Golden Wattle Lead Educator Nicole

My name is Nicole. I am the Golden Wattle Room (2-3yrs) leader at Kids on Rennie. I am a mother of 2 teenagers and live with my husband, our dog and 4 guinea pigs.

I have worked in childcare for 8.5 years, including as a childcare cook for 3 years. I took the opportunity to study my Diploma of Early Childhood 3 years ago, and found that I enjoy working with children and helping them grow and develop.

I strongly believe children need the freedom to be themselves and learn at their own pace. I believe in the importance of involving families in their child’s learning as the families are the child’s first teachers.

Our Hedge Wattle & Golden Wattle Educator Tamara

Hi. I’m Tamara and I float between the Wattle rooms at Kids on Rennie. I have two children of my own with another on the way later this year.

I have only been in the child care industry for approximately one year and I love what I do. I love watching children learn and develop their own little identities. I get so much joy seeing happiness on their little faces when they’re doing something they enjoy and love a good cuddle.

On my days off I enjoy doing family activities with my little family and I even enjoy heading out to watch my husband play cricket in the summer.

Our Golden Wattle
Educator Rachael

Hi, my name is Rachael. I have been working with children for 4 years and I love it!

I love empowering children to know that they are capable and strong. I am looking forward to my time here at Kids on Rennie, to help educate and care for your children.

Our Golden Wattle
Educator Jenna

Hi, my name is Jenna. I have recently started working at kids on Rennie in the Golden Wattle room and have loved getting to know all the children and families!

I am currently studying my Diploma and have been working in Early Childhood Education for a little over a year. Prior to this I worked in the Community Services industry in both Child Protection and Disability support.

I believe that all children are amazing in their own unique way and we as educators are there to empower them to be themselves as they learn, grow and develop new social abilities. I will always strive to provide a loving, nurturing and fair environment that is inclusive to all children no matter their background or abilities.

When I’m not working I love to spend time with my family. Our favourite things to do are going on holidays, swimming at the beach, camping in Summer and learning to grow things in our vege garden.

Our Golden Wattle Educator Samantha

My name is Samantha can also call me Sammie or Sam :),

I have been in the early childhood industry for 8 years this includes me starting off as a casual, than an assistant, I have also been a room leader for 3 years. I come from Wyndham Vale.

I’m very passionate and dedicated to building a safe and secure welcoming environment for the families and children along with building friendships along the way.

I’m passionate about exploring what the children like, involving messy play seeing smiles on their faces.

I am very excited to be starting in the Golden Wattle room, I’m excited to have this opportunity to work in a really welcoming and comfortable service, and getting to know you all.

I have a 6 year old daughter, her name is Scarlette she is currently in primary school. I love camping in my free time and spending time as a family.

I am looking forward to meeting you all, and your children and expanding on their learning for them to achieve their goals and to be able to support the children and families along the way.

Hi Families,

My name is Bree and I will be the Diploma Qualified Assistant Educator in the Golden Wattle Room for 2020.

I live in Lara with my husband and 2 sons and enjoy the NRL footy, listening to music and spending time with family and friends 🙂

I have been a part of the Early Childhood sector on and off since 2002 and absolutely love what I do! Children are my passion and I take great pleasure in watching them grown and learn.

I’m so excited to be a part of the Kids on Rennie Team and can’t wait to get to know you and your little one’s so we can build positive and warm relationships.

I am an open book so please feel free to approach me with any questions, concerns or even for a good old chat 🙂

Bree

Our Silver Banksia Educator Harkamal

Hi! I’m Harkamal. Assistant Teacher in the Kinder room at Kids on Rennie.
I have been working in Early childhood for the last 1 year.

My husband and I live in Tarneit currently but hopefully will move to Lara soon. I chose this field because I love to work with children, because even if you feel tired sometimes their positive faces will cheer you up. I’m just loving my job and ready to have more and more experience.

My hobbies are art and craft, dancing and of course hair styling.

Our break cover and Float Educator Nikki

Hi my name is Nikki. I’m the breaks cover at Kids on Rennie. I’ve been working in childcare for over 15 years, in various positions.

I feel very privileged that I can create a nurturing, caring environment and I love watching each child grow and learn through play.

I am married and have 2 beautiful children Rebekah and Kobi. When I’m not at work I love spending time with my family, walking, being fit, and catching up with friends.

Our break cover and Float Educator Vimal

My name is Vimal.
I have been working in childcare for 2 years and i love it! Children always make me smile and feel happy.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my husband and son.

Our student Teacher Hannah

Hi! I’m Hannah and I’m an Educator here at Kids on Rennie.

I graduated with my Diploma of Early Childhood Education last year from The Gordon and this is my first year working in centre-based early learning, with many years experience in both babysitting and nannying locally around Geelong.

I’m currently studying my Bachelor of Early Years Education at Deakin University and aspire to be a kinder teacher.

I am so passionate about early childhood education, because not only do I have the opportunity to be apart of a child’s first few precious years, I also have the privilege of watching them grow and develop into the future generations of our community. I believe all children are equal and I will always strive to build an inclusive, supportive and nurturing environment for every child.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family, going on adventures with my dog and catching up with friends.

I’ll be at the centre Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Friday’s, working across all rooms. I can’t wait to get to know all of our families here at Kids on Rennie, and am very excited to be apart of the future of this amazing centre.

Our Float Educator Deb

Hi, my name is Deb, Nanna to some!

I began working at Kids on Rennie as a student, completing my placement as part of my Certificate 3 in Children’s Services. After my first lot of placement with the centre i have been offered a position.

I live here in Lara and grew up here as a child so I know Lara well! Some of you may recognise me as I used to own Hire for Baby Lara.

After 30+ years of working in customer service and Administrative jobs, i needed a career change at the ripe old age of 50 something 🙂

I have 2 daughters and 2 beautiful grandsons who I adore. This helped me with my decision to change careers.

I love my work and love to see the children each day. Their smiles, cuddles, laughter and tears.

Thank you all for giving me the ability to share my life experiences.

Deb.

Our Float Educator Carla

Hello, everyone! My name is Carla and I am one of the educators here at Kids on Rennie! I have completed my diploma in Early Childhood and Education in 2012 and in the last 8 years I have been a preschool teacher in the Philippines and mostly have worked as a casual educator in Australia as I am also currently a student studying a Bachelor’s in Education Studies.

I strongly believe in a growth mindset and the power of yet, and how the journey is always more valuable than the destination/product. I will always be an advocate for children and aim to provide an atmosphere that allows for learning, growth and encouragement. I feel very privileged to be working with children and being part of that village that helps raise them. I enjoy working with children as it not only brings out my childlikeness, but it also lets me learn from them.

I am looking forward to helping your children become the people they can and want to be.