"The educators are EXCEPTIONAL, they love and care for every child and their uniqueness."
- Renee, Yarra Warra parent.
Our staff
The Yarra Warra Preschool and Bush Kinder team are enthusiastic about early childhood education and working with the families in our wonderful local Warrandyte area. They are community minded and are Warrandyte and Nillumbik locals.
Our teachers are passionate and many maintain long standing tenures at our centre. Each kindergarten teacher brings a variety of skills to the kinder, that is joined as one to make the team a cohesive unit. The combined years of experience, coupled with the love and admiration of our preschool children produces a centre of excellence that many kinder’s can only aspire to.
As far as preschool teachers go, we have the best! Here is a little about them to introduce you to the amazing team we have at Yarra Warra.
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Kerry
Preschool Director
Kerry is the Yarra Warra Preschool Director. She has worked in the early childhood industry for many years as a teacher, educational leader and nominated supervisor. While new to Yarra Warra, she brings with her many years of industry experience.
Kerry keeps everything up-to-date and explores new ways to improve the way we do things at Yarra Warra. She has a passion for play-based learning and ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included, from our previous families to people new to the area with their first child in kinder.
"I love being part of this wonderful community, working with the new families each year and supporting the wonderful team of educators we have. It is important to me that our families feel included in the service from their first visit to their last day"
Carla
Four year old Teacher - Koala Group
Carla is the Koala group four year old teacher and has a wonderful ability to create learning experiences in nature. From edible plants to fire pits, from mud-pits to building forts, the open ended learning opportunities are endless in Carla’s classroom.
Carla began her educational career as a Primary School Teacher. She taught 2 - 8 year olds in Atlanta, Georgia, USA for 6 years, before returning to Australia. Driven by her love of teaching the younger levels and passion for play based learning, Carla decided to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching.
Carla enjoys outdoor learning spaces and understands the importance of educating children about their natural environment and the world around them. She has undertaken further studies in this area.
“I am inspired by the Danish Forest schools where children are outside most of the day, sometimes all day and are connected to their natural environment. As a teacher I see the importance of educating children about their environment and the world they live in.”
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Sarah
Three year old Wallaby and Four year old Koala Educator
Sarah joined the Yarra Warra team in 2024 with a bright and passionate sense of enthusiasm. She brings creativity and warmth to the children's learning and builds authentic connections with the families within the Yarra Warra community.
Sarah been a part of the fabric of Yarra Warra for decades. Her mother Sue worked as an educator at Yarra Warra and is still very much part of the Yarra Warra community, and Sarah's own children also attended Yarra Warra Preschool.
This year Sarah and her family embarked on a journey around Australia in a caravan. This has been brought into the children's learning as they have tracked her journey across Australia.
Sorrell
Three year old Teacher - Wallaby
Sorrell is the three-year old teacher of Wallaby group.
Sorrell has worked in a variety of educational settings since becoming a kindergarten teacher in 2005. Beginning in sessional kinder she moved on to working at Independent schools, most recently at Billanook College. It was the pull of strong community and Bush kinder which drew her to our kinder.
Sorrell returned to study in 2016 to complete a graduate diploma in Arts Therapy. With a passion to support children from the ground up, building emotional intelligence and a strong sense of self, this additional training draws on her strengths in a kinder environment.
"I'm a passionate teacher of little minds, learner of great crafts and come with open eyes ready to explore and provoke wonderment in our beautiful centre here at Yarra Warra."
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Kym
Three year old Teacher - Possum
Activity Group Lead - Extended Care
Kym has been a much loved educator with Yarra Warra since 2009.
In 2024, Kym started her teaching roll in the 3 year old program. Kym she really enjoys in getting dirty with in bush kinder. “I love everything about my role and am particularly passionate about seeing our beautiful children get excited and interested about the world!“
Kym has furthered her education and is working towards her Bachelor of Early Childhood degree. Kym is the Activity Group Leader for the Extended Care program, providing a calm and fun session after kinder hours.
All four of Kym’s children attended Yarra Warra, and they were all fortunate enough to be taught by the Yarra Warra team!
Kym has been a Warrandyte local for years and participates in other community initiatives, including band management at the Warrandyte Festival.
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Maddy
Three year old Possum and Four year old Kangaroo Educator
Four year old - Extended Care Educator
Maddy works in the three year old and four year old programs as an early childhood educator. She demonstrates her love of learning with her warm smile and cheery greetings each day. Maddy has such a caring nature and compassion that it makes everyone feel warm and welcome.
Maddy also supports Kym in the Extended Care Program on Tuesday and Thursday where she listens to the children's interests and incorporates these into the program.
Belinda
Three year old Extended Care Educator
After working in the corporate world for sixteen years, Belinda decided to follow her passion of working with children and returned to study last year. In 2021 she was excited to secure her ‘dream job’ at Yarra Warra Preschool, helping kids along their early learning pathway.
Belinda works with Kym in extended care where the 3 year olds get to unwind and have fun with their friends after a busy day at kinder. Belinda's quiet and passionate nature really helps our three's feel special and supported.
Belinda is married and has two beautiful boys currently at primary school, who keep her busy when she is not at the kinder, racing to sports and activities on weekends.
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Michelle
Four year old teacher - Kangaroo
Michelle brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team at Yarra Warra as a teacher in early childhood. She shows kindness and warmth to the children and the team she leads.
Michelle is co-teacher in the Wallaby group on a Wednesday.
Michelle's programs both in kinder and bush inspire the children in her groups to learn new ideas and develop their curious minds.