Our Team
Get to know the friendly, talented and caring team currently working at Dungog Community Preschool
Director / Nominated Supervisor
Tina Overton
Diploma of Children’s Services
Educating since 1991
What I love about Dungog Community Preschool?
Our preschool educators, & learning environments, are so welcoming, engaging and connected to our children, families, and community. This enables a sense of belonging and trust which supports meaningful relationships to develop in our inclusive space.
Our Philosophy is based on Relationships, Play, Environment, Community and Quality. We are all inspired by the children, families, and educators as they are so creative, reflective and connected to our environment.
Educators
Jenny Robinson
Diploma in Children’s Services
Teaching since 2024
What I love about Dungog Preschool?
I have lived in Dungog all my life and I attended this preschool. I have always wanted to be a preschool teacher and I am lucky enough to be working in such a great preschool.
I believe that all children have a right to be themselves as individuals, as each child has different interests, backgrounds and developmental stages.
I believe children should be given choices, responsibilities and opportunities to initiate their own learning as I believe all children learn in their own way.
I believe there are many different ways of learning by actively participating with friends and being a positive role model by watching, listening and communicating, exploring their environment, taking risks and by making mistakes.
I believe children need the assurance of being loved and cared for equally during their day.
I believe that children should come first and their welfare and happiness are first priority.
I believe any childcare service should be a happy and fun place for all to be involved in, Children, families, visitors and staff feel more welcome if they see a smiling face a family like environment.
Jacqui Too
Diploma of Children’s Services
Educating since 2009
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I have many wonderful memories from attending this preschool myself, so it was just fitting that I continued to make many more memories and experiences for and with others at this preschool.
The preschool has a home like feeling and everyone is always welcome. Being in a smaller community that allows you to connect and be more knowledgeable of what’s going on in the community and the children’s family life. Seeing and hearing about the siblings and generation of a family that have made their own memories at the preschool over the years.
Lauren Mills
Bachelor of Education
Teaching since 2012
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
In the short time I have
been here I have discovered that there is no better Preschool than
Dungog Community Preschool. All the staff are enthusiastic, capable
and supportive and the families and children have been very
welcoming.
Nicole Bale
Diploma of Children’s Services
Educating since 2011
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
What isn’t there to love, from the staff, children, and their families this is what makes preschool what it is today.
I love that when I come to preschool it’s different every day and knowing I’m making a difference in a child’s life, it’s so incredibly rewarding.
Charmaine Sturgess
Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Educating since 2014
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I have been an educator for 11 years and I am excited to be an Educator at Dungog Community Preschool. We have a beautiful team of educators, amazing children, wonderful families, and a great community.
I believe relationships are critical in the development of young children, relationships with families, friends, and the wider community.
Makayla Wells
Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Educating since 2019
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I believe children have the right to learn in a safe and happy environment. I wish to create a space where both children and families feel welcome and supported.
I have a deep respect for each child’s individual social, emotional and developmental needs, and the importance of creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
I strongly believe in children’s social and emotional development being the corner stone of trust and security in the childcare environment.
When children feel safe and supported, they will explore, play, and challenge themselves to try new things.
Rebecca Forbes
Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care
Educating since 2018
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I love working at Dungog Community Preschool as it aligns with my own personal values and beliefs. It is a service that promotes inclusion and sees children as the focus of the program. Our Preschool recognises the importance of relationships built between families, staff, our community and values the holistic development of children.
Dungog Community Preschool is also a service that focuses on the natural environment, sustainable practices and supports teamwork and professional development of staff.
Olivia Harris
Diploma of Children’s Services
Educating since 2017
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I am passionate about ensuring each child feels secure and supported in their preschool environment every day.
When a child feels safe and supported it allows them to better learn and engage with new opportunities.
I believe in making great connections with our families and community.
This allows you to better understand children’s home environments and utilise this to ensure they feel a sense of belonging.
Aleira Mansfield
SBAT – School Based Traineeship
Educating since 2024
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
I live in Clarence Town with my mum, stepdad, brother, stepsister, and sister, as well as a dog named Odin and 8 sheep & a little lamb that was born on the 4/02/24. I am currently attending Dungog High School and in Year 11. I am 16 years old and currently doing a Traineeship at Dungog Community Preschool. Ever since my little sister was born, I knew I wanted to peruse and follow my heart in an early childhood career, and I was lucky enough to be able to get a SBAT here.
Dungog Community Preschool has outstanding staff who will always look after you and your needs, the staff here have taught me how amazing it is to work in a beautiful safe place where kids can play and make many friends. A reason I applied for a Traineeship here was so that I can have the opportunity to help kids with anything they need now and, in the future.
I hope to help children become strong and independent, achieve things by themselves, build confidence, and a great mindset for when they grow up. I would like the children to believe in themselves and never doubt themselves when things don’t go the way they planned.
I am very thankful and excited to be able to work at Dungog Community Preschool for the next two years and hopefully many more years after that. Dungog Community Preschool is truly an outstanding Preschool, with amazing children who attend here.
Alicia Reeves
Administration
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
My favourite part about working at Dungog Community Preschool is the diversity of my administration role. I get to interact with the amazing group of educators and families on a day-to-day basis within the centre.
Carissa Anderson
Cleaner/Hygienist
What I Love about Dungog Preschool?
What I like about working at Dungog Preschool is the staff and the atmosphere they have created. It is always bright, airy and hard to feel unmotivated when the Preschool screams joy.
It is such a lovely team to be a part of. I especially enjoy when I get to cross over with the staff leaving for the day.
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Preschool Hours
Monday – Friday
8.30am – 4.00pm
Dungog Community Preschool is only open during the NSW school term. Please click here to view the calendar on the NSW Education Website.
Dungog Community Preschool acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We acknowledge the Gringai people as the traditional custodians of the Dungog region and pay our respects to Gringai elders past, present and emerging.