Shae - Toddler Group Leader

Originally from Townsville, Shae has traveled around our state and neighbouring state (NSW) with family but has recently returned to sunny Townsville to our benefit and delight. Shae holds her Diploma in Community Services (Childrens Services) as well as having experience within many age groups over the past 8 years, giving her a strong foundation for children's developments, behaviours, interests and needs. Shae is enjoying the daily drama and discoveries of the youngest group as they learn new skills and concepts every day within our Village Kids Centre.

Skye – Toddler Assistant

Skye is one of our more recent additions to the Village Kids team having moved to Townsville in May 2008 from the thrills of the Coast where she worked within the field and gained her Certificate III. Trying her hand at in-home caring, Skye came to Village Kids and enjoys the flexibility and sense of community that centre based care offers both to staff and families. Skye and Shae are teamed together in Toddlers and are building a strong and experienced partnership where the importance of security and routine is featured for our littlest group.

Hi, I not only enjoy children but I realise that childcare is one of the most important jobs you can have – I take my role very seriously. I do like to laugh though and am busy outside of kindy- getting active in Bootcamp, meeting new people and making friends. I look forward to making lots at Village Kids.

Junior Kindy Staff
2-3 years
2 adults: 12 children

Melinda – Junior Kindy Group Leader

Melinda hails originally from Sydney and completed her Certificate III while down there. Melinda moved to Townsville with her husband on a Defence Force transfer in 2005 and has been with us as our Junior Kindy Group Leader since then. We can also very proudly relay that Melinda has attained her Diploma in that time and is now a fully qualified member on staff – Good one Mel! In 2008, Melinda and her husband have taken on the challenge of becoming foster carers – sharing the love she has for children and her knowledge of early childhood development with a little 3 year old boy – a great challenge but a great joy for her.

Hi to all our families. This year I have also accepted another challenge - joining the Army Reserves. I love it so will be getting fit while involved with that each Tuesday evening and second weekend. If not out bush or doing exercises with Reserves, my free time is spent very busily…enjoying time with family and friends.

Melanie – Junior Kindy Assistant

Melanie came to our centre in 2004 as a School based trainee, visiting on field placement one day each week. She went on to be awarded the Barrier Reef Tafe's VET Student of the Year Award and continues to amaze us with her commitment and skills within her early childhood studies. Melanie holds her Certificate III and is currently studying to complete her Diploma. Her wonderful quiet and caring nature teams well with Melinda, her room partner, and the children respond to the security and love they offer.

Aside from kindy, which takes up lots of energy and gives us lots of fun, this year I am enjoying life and have made a big move out to live away from home with my sister – we're loving it! I also enjoy meeting up with friends and family socially and going out on the weekends.

Preschool Room Staff
4-6 years
2 adults: 25 children

Michelle – Preschool Group Leader

Michelle comes to us from the ‘wilds' of Mount Isa bravely moving to support her high school aged soccer star, son. She has always maintained to be here until Marcus finishes high school and then she will move back to her home in Mount Isa. Michelle holds her Diploma in Community Services and having worked within the early childhood field for over 13 years, Michelle has a fabulous array of experience and a firm and fair attitude with the children, staff and families that is loved by all. She is currently studying for her Advanced Diploma and is enjoying the new challenge of taking on Acting Director if Susie is absent and ill… a great relief for Susie

Since being our beloved Preschool Group Leader for the past 2 years - we are thrilled to be able to announce that Michelle has recently purchased a house in the Townsville area and will be staying on – the cheers from our families and staff can surely be heard in Mount Isa, we are delighted!

Hi to all! Outside of Village Kids life, I am still very actively involved in my children's sporting activities and enjoy traveling around Australia watching them and supporting them. Though now Marcus is graduating, my trips may be a little sparse – shall have to find another hobby!

Theresa – Preschool Assistant

Theresa began as our Junior Kindy Group Leader in 2004 and helped us attain a fabulous result in our first Accreditation decision. Holding her Certificate III and currently studying to complete her Diploma, Theresa is highly creative and organised which is a blessing for our busy Preschool group where she moved to partner Michelle in 2007. Theresa is also well aware of the agony and ecstasy of parenthood being a mother of an 11 year old herself and this is incredibly supportive to our families to have that experience and awareness on staff.

Away from Village Kids, I am interested in computers and photography and enjoy using these at the centre- putting together our Preschool Daily Power Point displays to share our days with our families.

I also love spending time with my husband, family and 2 gorgeous miniature dogs.

Senior Kindy Staff
3-6 years
2 adults: 24 children

Bev – Senior Kindy Group Leader

Bev is our International Traveller – having been born and raised in South Africa, Bev gained her Teaching qualifications and years of experience before the thrill of New Zealand drew her to live there. Within the 10 years that she lived and loved New Zealand, Bev continued her studies as well as developing a passion for the early childhood teaching philosophy of Reggio Emilio, which features prominently in the Senior Kindy room's programming. Luckily for us, the draw of the sunny easy lifestyle of Australia and North Queensland led her to Townsville and a sheer stroke of luck, gave us Bev at Village Kids Wulguru.

Bev holds her National Teachers' Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts. Her love and belief in the Reggio Emilio philosophy sees wonderfull child centred activities at the forefront of her room and the children are flourishing with this.

Hello…I love the involvement of the children in my days – you never know what each day will bring and what discovery we will make together. Outside of kindy, my husband and I are saving to buy a yacht which we plan to explore the Great Barrier Reef in and who knows, maybe even further! I love to keep fit by walking and cycling.

Julie – Senior Kindy Assistant

Julie began with Village Kids in 2004, having worked previously at another local centre for seven years until the thrill of having her own baby led her to have a break. Her ‘baby', Jesse, is now 8 years old. Jesse was the first to come to join the gang at Village Kids and he had so much fun, Julie wisely decided to join him. Julie completed her Certificate in Children's Services while working with us which was a great achievement for her and one we are very proud of. She enjoys the challenge of being the Assistant in our Senior Kindy Room where the children are a constant delight and so full of affection.

Hi, my name is Julie. I have always loved childcare since I was young and it has always been a fun and happy place. Working at Village Kids is very rewarding which makes me happy. I am also very busy outside of Village Kids. My other interests include partying with friends, spending time with Jesse and I also like fishing.