3 Year Old Programs & Staff

3 Year Old Program Staff: Melissa

Melissa joined the team at Tarralla Kindergarten in 2013 after doing some relief teaching at Tarralla the previous year.

She has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1992 – attaining a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) from Macquarie University in Sydney.

Melissa lives locally with her husband and 2 children and enjoys dining out and spending time with family and friends.

She loves working with young children and gains fulfillment from watching and nurturing their learning and development through play.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Annette

Annette is passionate about working with children, helping them recognise their achievements and develop more confidence and independence.

She looks forward to working closely with families, getting to know the children and their interests and supporting each child’s learning.

She has a Bachelor of Early childhood Education and has experience across a range of Early Childhood Settings.  Excited to join and be part of the Tarralla Kindergarten Community in 2023.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Kelly-Anne

Kelly-Anne  is a qualified Early Childhood Teacher with a Bachelor of Early Childhood education and 20 years experience in working with pre-school aged children.

Kelly-Anne comes to Tarralla from a local sessional kindergarten and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting our preschoolers to enjoy their kinder time and prepare for school.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Rebecca

Rebecca has her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and joins Tarralla Kindergarten after teaching in long day care for two years. She loves working with children and seeing them grow and develop over the duration of the year.

Rebecca is passionate about play based learning and supporting children to extend their learning and development through engagement with their educators, peers and the environment. She enjoys musical and creative experiences and seeing the children build their confidence and friendships with each other.

Rebecca has recently returned from maternity leave after having her first child early in 2021.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Santina

Santina has been working with kinder children since 1996, with a break in the middle to have her own children.

She has a Diploma in Children’s Services 0-6yrs and a Diploma in Montessori teaching 3-6 yrs.

Santina loves seeing children become competent and independent human beings through the process of exploring on their own, making choices and watching their beautiful individual personality blossom.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Kellie

Kellie worked in the Disability field for a number of years before having children. After working on the kindergarten committee and helping at her children’s kinder, she decided she would like a career change.

Kellie joined the Tarralla team in 2016 and has a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

Kellie is the co-educator in the Kookaburras and Wombats groups, as well as helping out as an additional assistant at times in the kindergarten.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Jean

Jean is a passionate early child educator and holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education.

She holds strong values on forming meaningful relationships with children and their families.

3 Year Old Program Staff: Helen

Helen has had a career as a State Enrolled Nurse for many years, before deciding, in 1998, to change paths to Early Childhood Education in a kindergarten setting. After leaving to start her own family in 2005, Helen completed the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care. She has worked in a local kindergarten since 2016.

Helen is excited to be joining the Tarralla team in 2024, where she can continue to nurture young children’s social, emotional and physical development through play-based experiences and exploring the natural environment. She believes young children learn best, when they are secure and happy in their environment and they feel able to play freely, making their own discoveries, at their own pace.