Our Team

First and foremost, I am a mum to three beautiful children. I started my working life as a patisserie chef for Koko Black where I gained experience managing teams and the HACCP program. Once all my children were born, I found a new passion. I went back to school as a mature age student and gained my Diploma in Early childhood Education and Care. After some time, I had the desire to help others in a similar situation as myself and followed a career in training and assessing. I have been teaching certificate III and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care for Laverton Community Education Centre for the past 5 years. Being part of the Laverton Community is something I want to continue to contribute to and look forward to bringing my skills and learning new knowledge to the Children’s Centre.

Michelle is a diploma qualified early childhood educator who is currently studying her Master of Child Play Therapy at Deakin University. Michelle has been training and assessing the Cert III and Diploma in Early childhood, for Laverton Community Education center for the past few years in between having and raising her four young children. Michelle has been working within the early childhood industry for the past 22 years working within a range of positions including traveling nanny, family daycare educator, room leading, co educating and directing. Please feel free to approach Michelle regarding your child progress and development and she will be able to assist you in any way possible. Michelle is looking forward to continuing her work in the centre managers role.

I have worked at Laverton Community Childrens Centre for 8+ years. I enjoy working here so much, it has become a second home to me.

My roles at LCCC have ranged from working in long day care, both “big” yard and babies.

Now, I am in the office with Krystle and Michelle, where I am responsible for helping families with enrolments and statements, as well as a myriad of other smaller tasks.

I enjoy watching TV series, reading books, walking on the beach with my husband and having fish and chips after walking on the beach.

I collect recipes and love watching cooking shows. I am a big fan of delicious food.

I am am the Educational Leader, and have been working at LCCC for 9 years. I am a diploma qualified educator and working towards my Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and care. I used to work as an integration aide at a special school in Wyndham and have completed the Certificate IV in Disability Work. I enjoy working with young children. Supporting their development, safety and wellbeing are always at the forefront of my mind. To be able to support overall children’s development, the program planning is  a very important part of my job.

I am curious by nature and always enjoy learning and gaining new skills. I love gardening and am very happy to share this interest with the children in our gardens, here at the Centre.

I believe gardening promotes children’s overall development. The greenery and colourful flowers help the children to feel calm and also create environments for other life. This encourages the children to learn about the cycle of life and feel connected to the world they live in. I also love travelling, it gives me opportunities to explore different cultures and diversities, which I find helpful in the educator role. Yoga and meditation are part of my daily routine, I also like sharing this with the children.

Hobbies: Gardening, Pottery and Garden sculpture creation.

Hello Laverton Community, I am a Bachelor Qualified Early Childhood Teacher from New Zealand.

I am an English speaking teacher with many years’ experience in Early Childhood Teaching. My experience ranges from Nannying, Home Educating, being a Mum, training and teaching in a centre, teaching and leadership, many years in Kindergarten teaching, Head teacher, International Teaching (I taught in Jeju/South Korea for two years) and one year teaching in a primary school as a New Entrance teacher. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2021 we decided that we had not finished travelling, so my husband and I have moved here to Melbourne where I am excited to work here in the 4 year old Integrated Kinder classroom.

I am Mum to two beautiful grown daughters who are on their own journeys in New Zealand, we communicate regularly, I am growing to enjoy what life after children has to offer.

I am a passionate teacher, who enjoys nature, the living world (insects included ), children’s curiosity and questions. I value creating an environment where children feel a sense of trust, belonging and security, providing a space where children can learn at their own pace, share their interests and explore the world through play and wonder.

I love to connect with my family and friends and also enjoy being out in nature, soaking up some green time, reading, and I also love watching live music of many genres. I am also becoming very familiar with many of your sporting stadiums as my husband is a sports fan, and there seems to be an ever long lasting list of sport here in Melbourne.

I look forward to being a part of the team here at Laverton Community Children’s Centre, and I look forward to meeting you all.

Arohanui (with love)

Pam

My name is Lily, I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and I am a kinder teacher in LCCC since the first term in 2023. I am from Vietnam so I speak Vietnamese as my mother tongue. I have worked in the Early Childhood section since 2016 as an educator and studied to be a teacher while having both my children. The best part of my job is to celebrate children’s uniqueness and witness their learning and growth over time. My passion is to assist young children to learn and develop with all their capacity and potential. My philosophy embraces children’s capacity for learning, values the home learning environment as children’s third teacher, and supports inclusion diversity, and differences in practice. I have grown a strong belief that acknowledging and valuing the family’s contribution through building a positive relationship with them can maximise children l earning opportunities and development. I love spending time with family on the weekend for day trips to explore all places in Victoria.

Hi my name is Jenny and I have been employed by the Laverton Community Children’s Centre since opening day in January 2007.

I am an experienced educator who has worked across all services within LCCC during the past 15 years. I have spent the last three years working within the Kindergarten program, which I really enjoy.

Building warm trusting relationships with children and their families has always been my passion.

Through play and educational experiences I love watching the children grow and reach their milestones in their own time.

My family consists of my husband, two daughters and two very elderly dogs. My eldest daughter is a Kindergarten Teacher and my youngest daughter has just completed a double degree in Arts/Law.

My time away from work is spent at the ocean or in my garden.

Hi my name is Helene and I have been working in the early childhood industry for more the 12 years.

Nine of those years have been at the Laverton Community Children’s Centre. I enjoy working here very much. The educators and children have become my second family. I love them all.

My strengths as a childcare educator are patience and providing warm trusting relationships to babies.

My interests are cooking, relaxing in my garden, going for walks and spending time with my family.

I’m a third generation Korean-Japanese. I was born in
Tokyo, Japan. I speak Japanese and a little bit of Korean.

Before I came to Melbourne, I was a busy office worker and took my daughter to day care every day. Through my experience, I completely understand how difficult being a working parent is.
I came to Australia with my husband and my two children in 2010.
I completed my diploma in Early Childhood Education and have been working at LCCC for 4 years.

I’m interested in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and have successfully achieved Level 2.
I would love to learn more and am keen to keep my knowledge current, and practiced.
Whoever is interested in or knows Auslan, please teach me or we can learn together.

Working with children is like Christmas presents. I never know
what is inside but they always bring me excitement and make
me feel so happy.

I have been working at Laverton Community Children Centre since 2021 in Babies Room. I love working with children, taking care of them, teaching them and watching them grow.

I have worked in the early childhood industry for 18+ years. I have worked at Laverton Community Childrens Centre for 14+ years. I enjoy working here so much, it has become a second home to my children – now 21 and 18.

My, many roles at LCCC have ranged from working in long day care, both “big” yard and babies.Kindergarten, as additional assistant (working with children with additional needs.), also as kinder assistant.

I spent several years as educational leader in Alternative Care.I have even spent time working in the kitchen.
I enjoy playing music, learning about indigenous culture,scrapbooking and being in nature and by the water.

My name is Li, I am from China. I finished my Early Children Education Certificate 3 in 2021 and worked at LCCC for 1 year. I am a casual educator, so I work in the babies room, toddler room and kindergarten room. The Educators and children have become my second family. I love them all. As a new educator, I am happy working here and I am happy working many years in here. I believe that early childhood is the golden time for children to develop their skills through play. Children are unique and very curious creatures who want to know everything. I value each child’s strength, interest, skills, knowledge, and abilities. I know that children learn a lot through play, therefore I provide positive atmosphere and vibes to enhance their learning development so children can have their maximum opportunities to explore, discover, create, and imagine. My interests are watching movies, reading books. Traveling, singing and spending time with my family.

I have worked in Early Childhood for 25 years all within the Laverton Community and with the last 12 years being at LCCC.

I have worked in all areas of the centre and the last 2 years in the baby group.

I live with my Husband and 20 y/o daughter and Yuuki my Jack Russell puppy.

When I’m not at work I like to do jigsaw puzzles and gardening.

I have a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. I started working at LCCC in 2018. I’m really enjoying my time here at LCCC. I work under the National Quality Framework and Standards and National Approved Learning frameworks.

I love to engage with children as they play and learn. During the time I’ve working at LCCC, I try to update my current knowledge and support the children and assist colleagues to achieve their goals. I follow LCCC’s teaching philosophy, and encourage children to learn through play. Children’s health, safety and wellbeing are my working purpose.

I try my best to diligently stimulate and maximise opportunities for enhancing and extending each child’s learning and development. My interests include being with friends with children and make children peace and calm.

Hi, I am Eti Mohajan. I am a Diploma qualified educator. I have been working in the early childhood industry for 7+ years and at Laverton Community Children’s Centre for 5+ years.

I enjoy working with young children. I try my best to create a safe, secure and welcoming environment for children to develop and learn.

I believe that each child is an individual and as an educator I try to develop each child’s strength, interest, skill, ability and knowledge to extend their learning.

I love working in this centre with excellent co-workers, and families.  I enjoy cooking, art/craft activities, playing music and dancing with the children and learning about different culture.

My name is Mamta and I am a Diploma qualified educator, who speaks Hindi and English. For almost three years, I’ve worked at the Laverton Community Children’s Centre. I have worked in all areas of the centre and currently working as a room leader for one of the toddler rooms. I believe that each children need the assurance of being loved and cared for while they are enjoying an educational environment. Security and trust are very important components as well, of my relationship with each child. My favourite part of working at LCCC is the friendly, cooperative and supportive co-workers. I love painting, singing and spending time with family and friends.

Hi, my name is Jess and I have been an educator at Laverton Community Children’s Centre for more than a decade. I am a diploma certified educator and I currently speak both English and Macedonian.

I joined the team as a young teenager through an opportunity I was given during work experience. My time here at the centre made me realise that I wanted to pursue a career as an early childhood educator due to my desire to help young children learn and grow.

As an educator, I really enjoy creating inviting play spaces around children’s interests and observing them explore and discover meaningful experiences. I also enjoy working alongside others who share the same passion as I do with working with children. You can truly see when someone cares about the learning that is unfolding and how there is so much to gain from teaching kids who are at such a young age. The love of learning, curiosity and the joy that comes from the children is the best part of the experience.

I come to work every day to be a part of children’s learning that is truly rewarding. It is also great to see when the children are excited to participate in the learning and have a great time with their educators. Having a great relationship with parents is also important as it gives them a sense of belonging. I really enjoy socialising with the children’s parents when we cross paths at work or out in public.

I really enjoy working with children because I wanted to enhance their quality of life which is what led be to become an early childhood educator.

“It’s about being part of the child’s development, seeing them grow and learn new things, and developing a trusting and strong relationship with the child and their families”

That is the philosophy I stand by as an educator today.

My name is Ann Harper from Philippines! I am certificate 3 qualified educator while working towards my diploma and hopefully extending my learning further. I have joined the LCCC team in 2021 as a student then as casual. I’ve recently joined as a part of the kindergarten team and I could not be more grateful than working with such amazing staff, children and families!. Growing up I’ve always wanted to work as a educator/teacher, I’ve admired watching, learning and creating that strong relationship with my teachers in school which inspired me to join the field in education, I try and assure our children feel safe and secure by creating that strong relationship with the children and families, working together to create a better atmosphere for their children to  learn through play. Being in musical theatre I have loved singing, dancing and just having a boogie. I love trying new things and exploring the world while being surrounded by my loving family and friends. 

Hi, my name is Kate and I have been a trainee here at Laverton Children Centre since 2021. I am working towards my cert 3. My background is Thai, although I have a very diverse family. My favourite part of working at LCCC is the connections/relationships that I have with not only the children, but the families as well. The most important goal for me personally is that for children to feel safe, secure, and confident in  learning. My favourite thing to do is to spend time with family and friends.

Hello. My name is Aki Nonaka.

I have been working at LCCC since 2012. I am a cook and Cerificate 3 educator. Currently, I work in room 4 on Tuesday and I work in the kitchen Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The reason why I love working with children is that they are sweet and adorable. I am happy to see their smile and development.

My philosophy is providing nutritious and healthy food. I strive to make mealtime a happy and fun experience for children. I have high knowledge of cooking healthy and nutritious meals for children. LCCC is culturally diverse so I enjoy cooking different kinds of food.

My first language is Japanese. I live in Williams Landing with my husband, 2 daughters and a black Labrador.

When I have spare time, I cook, go on walks and learn how to play drums at home.

I look forward to working with your family within our community.

Hello families, my name is Jen. I am a Bachelor qualified Early Childhood Teacher with many years’ experiences working in Early Childhood. My experience ranges from travelling bilingual educator, training and teaching at an adventure playground, community allied health, Early Years teaching overseas and here in Australia.

I am a passionate teacher, with a strong believe that children’s environment is the ‘third teacher’ being a nurturing, open-ended space to inform children’s interest in learning. Every child deserves an equal opportunity and has a right for their voices to be heard and supported.

When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and going on long bike rides out in nature. I love to read and can’t wait to see all the great things you can do with reading too!

I look forward to being part of the team here at Laverton Community Children’s Centre and meeting you all.

Hi my name is Bobby. I’m a handyman. I was working as a handyman since 2010. I like to build and fix things. I think in cool and love what I am doing.

My hobbies: I like playing tennis, and watching soccer.

I am a qualified diploma educator working in LCCC for 13 years. Since 2011 until 2019, my role is to be a planning session room leader and to work across long day care service in different rooms (baby to kinder). I demonstrate a sound work ethic that supports the workplace and implements NQS and VEYLDF as Guidelines to evaluate and promote appropriate experiences in service.

Since 2019, I have designed and implemented music and movement and Chinese sessions (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday). All children enthusiastically participated in these programs, and sang and danced along with nursery rhymes, played with instruments along with rhythmic beats, and learnt new routines and roles.

I believe developing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships with children, families, and educators, is the foundation of harmonious and beautiful educational environments.

Shooting and editing videos is my personal hobby and since 2019 to 2021 I designed and implemented the centre’s Facebook videos.