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The Team
Updated Mar 3, 2010
Owners/Directors
Natalie Welcome! My name is Natalie and I am one of the centre directors at Smartie Pants. As a child, my parents relied on child care and I found it to be an extremely positive experience. I have very fond memories of my carers and the crèche owner, who I met up with since and found to be still running the centre. Being so happy for her and the families that she cared for, I longed for my daughter to experience the feeling of such an extended family. So, in early 2003, after extensive research and business planning, I said goodbye to my career as an engineer, to open a child care centre. Living in rural Victoria and commuting long hours to work everyday, my husband and I investigated opening in Yarra Glen, but were beaten to the punch by a large developer. This was however to be a very good thing, because the idea of Smartie Pants was realised soon after, when I teamed up with Sharon, who had the same ambition. In the years spent turning our ideas into a reality, our families have spent almost every spare moment together; to the extent that our children are convinced they're brother and sister! Smartie Pants is committed to providing the best childcare possible. Every aspect of our centre has been carefully thought out, from the layout, toys, and educational equipment we offer, to the facilities which assist our team to do the best job they can. The food we offer is exceptional. Our budget for food is 3-5 times that of many other centres in Melbourne. We offer only wholesome food, cooked fresh on the premises, and challenge anyone to provide a more scrumptious and healthy menu! We are excited that our family is growing, and look forward to giving more children a wonderful experience that they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Hi. My name is Sharon and I am the other Centre Director.
As Natalie explained in her profile, in March 2003, we set out on a journey to build and operate a child care centre which didn’t just meet the needs of our children and families, but excelled in it. From the moment we made this decision, my life took a whole new direction and I haven’t looked back.
My desire to build such a centre was driven from a very personal place which I would like to share with you. In August 2002, I had a son who was still born due to brain damage. I was advised about his condition during my 19 week ultrasound. For obvious reasons, I was absolutely devastated but knew that I had to find a way to maintain as “normal” a life (for all of us) as we could. I therefore started investigating options for child care during working hours and discovered that there wasn’t a service for children with such extensive disabilities. My son, Christian, didn’t survive. I was told by many people that everything happens for a reason. I struggled to find a reason why I had lost my child. I decided that if I could not find a reason for my loss, I would make one. I reviewed my life and truly believe that I had to endure this loss in order for me to have a fraction of the understanding of what families with children who have additional needs face everyday of their life. It was then that I decided to build a child care centre which integrated children with additional needs. Eventually my dream is to have a non-profit centre primarily focused on assisting these families. I hope to take my experience from Smartie Pants and build on it to fulfil my dream one day!
Since our journey commenced, I have had another little boy, Jarrod, who was born in April 2004. Jarrod also attends Smartie Pants.
Hi my name’s Bree.
I have a diploma in Children’s Services and have worked in the childcare industry for 6 years. I chose a career in childcare because it is so lovely that no day is quite the same. The children make this job both enjoyable and challenging and there is nothing as rewarding as watching a child grow and develop. In my time outside of work I spend time with my daughter and husband. Please feel free to ask me any questions or queries regarding your child’s day.
Thank you, Bree
My name is Emma and i am a qualified childcare worker. I started my childcare career in 2003 working at DHS in residential care looking after children with special needs.
I loved working with children so much that when i was relocted to Canberra in 2004, I started working with a community centre running out of hours care programs, holiday programs and mother's playgroup sessions. I also studied for my Cert IV Out of School Hours Care.
Working with the mother's play groups, I soon realised I absolutly loved watching the babies grow and explore the world for the very first time.
Once I completed my course I applied for a job as an assistant in the babies room at the ocal university day care.
I moved back to Melbourne and started work here at Smartie Pants Room leading the Babies room. I am very lucky to be one of the original team members that has seen Smartie Pants grow into the amazing centre it is now.
Hi my name is Lauren
I am the centres cook at Smartie Pants. My qualifications are Certificate 3 in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery). I have worked in child care centres for 5 years now. In my spare time my interests include Cooking, Dancing, Listening to music, Watching live bands, Rollerblading, Down Hill mountain bike ridding, Walking and playing with my dogs Faith and Brock and motor racing especially V8 Supercars anything to do with Holden’s and also drag racing.
I look forward to having a chat with you all and answering any questions you may have about the menu or recipes.
My shifts are Monday to Friday 7:30am-3.30pm.
My personal philosophy is to use my experience and passion in cooking to supply all children in our care with nutritious and balanced meals. Taking into account of all the allergies and food requirements children have. I work as a team player taking advice and also putting forward my views when required. I would also love to further my career by getting extra training that will help benefit the centre.
TBA
I am the room leader for the Hug a Bubs team and I currently finishing my diploma in child services. I have three grown up children of my own and absolutely adore working with the young babies again. Our team really cares about our babies and we encourage you to come and meet with us or ask us any queries at any time.
TBA
TBA
Hi, my name is Janine and I have 3 children.
I have worked with young children in different capacities as well as having a variety of other jobs for many years. I am a Kinesiology Practitioner and have also studied and taught Tai Chi.
A few years ago I settled into child care because it is so rewarding. To be part of children's learning, playing and growth in their early years is wonderful.
I recently completed my Diploma in Children Services. I also have level 2 First Aid, which includes epi-pen training and have worked as a volunteer at Kallparin.
I hope to be working with young children for many years to come.
Hi! I'm Sam. I was born in Frankston, and I'm an Essendon supporter.
My parents are teachers and have a love of travel, so I have lived in nearly every state in Australia.
I'm a qualified nanny and have worked in childcare and indigenous schools as an assistant teacher. This has spanned a 9 year period. Currently I am also studying my diploma in Children's services.
I'd left the industry for the last 3 years and worked in retail and as a library assistant.
Missing working with children when I moved back to Melbourne, I happily and excitedly handed in my resume to Smartie Pants and here I am.
Detail coming soon
I am the Mini Minors Room Leader and I have been working at Smartie Pants for over 4 years.
I have my Diploma in Children's Services and Level 2 First Aid. I am also studying my Advanced Diploma in Children's Services and expect to finish later this year.
I choose a career in Child Care because i enjoy spending time with children and watching them play, learn and grow. They make each day fun!
My future goals are to extend on my skills and training and complete the Advanced Diploma in Children's Services and one day manage a centre.
When not at work I like dancing, hanging with friends and family and watching lots of TV!
Hi. My name is Tabitha. I am 34 years old and I qualified back in 1992 with my NNEB
(a British equivalent of the Australian Diploma of Child Care).
Over the last 15 years I have worked in many different child care environments and in many different countries.
My husband is South African, so in 1997 I was taken there to live for 3 years in Lesotho!
Whilst there we had our own business, and set up a play school for the local African populations with sponsorship from our business and
an American Voluntary organization sent to help teach good farming practices.
I also became pregnant with my eldest boy James.
We left South Africa for political reasons and moved back to the UK and then Germany with my husband’s job.
I then had my second son Nicholas who now comes with me to Smartie Pants.
Peter’s job then brought us to Australia in April of 2005 and with my boys growing up I found I had time to come back to work.
Watching and learning from children has always been important to me and I get a huge kick when a child achieves more than they thought capable.
Smartie Pants offers me an opportunity to work and still watch my children grow and learn.
To chill out on weekends we hit the beach, walk, water ski and go for bike rides in the park.
Detail coming soon Hello my name is Rachael and I am a qualified child care worker.
I have been working at Smartie Pants since Feb '08. I work on a part-time basis as I have a 16 month old daughter of my own that keeps me very busy.
Before working at Smartie Pants I worked at St Vincents Hospital Early Learning Centre. I worked there for 10 1/2 years before starting my family.
I have chosen working with children as my career as I enjoy interacting and watching them develop into their own individual, also extending on their interests and helping them to leaen new things. Each day is both rewarding as well as challenging.
In the future I hope to complete my Kinder teaching with Charles Sturt University correspondance and further my knowledge and skills in many areas. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, going to different places with my daughter and shopping.
Hello and welcome to The Kinder Room.
Let me introduce myself my name is Kerri and I am the Room Leader for Little Geniuses.
I have been at Smartie Pants for approximately 10 months after being at a centre in Eltham. I am a mum of two boy’s aged 20 and 12 and am married to Pat.
My childcare experience began 20+ years ago when my parents bought a gymnasium in which I worked on school holidays and weekends then going onto to work part time in the creche as well as being the receptionist and cleaner. The best part of my job there was in the Creche in which I got the taste for childcare. Over the coming years in between moving and becoming a mum I was a nanny, integration aide and travel teaching child how to use a computer.
After many years of working I finally achieved my first reward in completing my Certificate 3 in Chidrens Services. I am now on my way on starting my Diploma.
In childcare you have to have passion for your job and that is something I can say I have felt here.
I only came into the Kinder room 5 months ago and let me tell you the most rewarding part of all of this is seeing the children getting ready for school.
Your children have an abundance of resources on offer in the Kinder Room and no where else do you have so many teachers on hand daily to deal day to day with your childs needs.
Myself, I will work on all aspects of your Child’s needs this includes social, emotional and academics.
I believe that the children should have choices in their day to day activities but also at the same time have set boundaries.
Detail coming soon
Hi My Name is Sandra I am married with 3 adult children. I love spending time with my family and friends, and my interests include jewellery making and scrapbooking. I hold a Dipl. in Community Services Child Care which I completed in 2000.
I have been in the child care industry for many years and have worked in Family Day Care, Occasional Care, Kindergarten, Agency and Long Day care where I have spent the last six years in the Kinder Room, working with 3-5 year olds. I currently work here at Smartie Pants 4 days a week and I am the Co-Coordinator of a small Occ. Care Centre operating on Thursday Mornings.
I have had many opportunities to move into the office side of childcare but my true love is working with the children as I enjoy being able to expand their knowledge. I also love singing and have an expansive repertoire of songs, poems and stories which I hope to be able to share with your children. If you should have any suggestions, new songs or poems (particularly multicultural) I would welcome your input.
I enjoy working here with the caring staff and value the fact that management continues to strive to improve all aspects of the centre and your children's care.
Hi my name is Jackie.
I completed year 12 in 2007, and am looking to gain experience in the industry of Children's Services before commencing my study in Education in 2009.
I love working with children and watching them develop, and aim to become a primary school teacher.
Hi, my name is Megan.
I started working at Smartie Pants in February 2008.
I am currently studying my Diploma in Children's Services and have recently moved from the Pip Squeaks team to become the leader of the support team.
I love working children as it is such a rewarding career with everyday unique and exciting. I particularly love interacting and playing with the children and watching them develop.
In my spare time, I enjoy going out with friends and being with my family.
Detail coming soon Detail coming soon My name is Roxanne Galati and I'm 21 years old. I have currently been working in childcare for two years and at Smartie Pants for almost a year and I absolutly love it. I have recently just finished my Certificate III in Children's Services. I am looking forward to furthering my studies and start the Diploma as childcare is my passion. Detail coming soon Detail coming soon Detail coming soon Hi everyone my name is Mary. I’m a mother of two teenage children. I have worked in the field of Early Learning Childcare for two years. I currently maintain a level 3 certificate and am on my way completing my Diploma. I also work in after school care for over 5 years and for me personally it has been a challenge and a very rewarding achievement to be able to provide a balanced approach to children’s overall social, emotional and educational development. I like to see myself as a very positive contributor towards children's education and development, in different levels in age groups. My hobbies are reading, listening to music, gardening and going to the movies. |