All MPC teaching staff hold specialist early childhood qualifications. MPC benefits greatly from the staff’s depth of experience and professional expertise in early childhood education. They are committed and dedicated to the children and families who are part of our centre each year and strive to enact the philosophy in their daily practice. Ongoing professional development, learning and reflection are promoted and valued.
Additional needs assistants are employed from time to time to support children as required.
Newer staff members are learning from old hands, that this is a place for staff members to look for possibilities and opportunities rather than constraints.
Unit 1 Teachers
Shirley Slater
3 day group
has been our Unit 1 teacher since 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Education (EC) and now works 3 days per week at MPC. Shirley loves gardening and shares this love with the children creating vege and flower patches during the year.
Jo Ward
3 day group
has a Diploma of EC and commenced working as a Special Needs Assistant in 2016. In 2017 she joined our B & A Care staff team working several mornings and afternoons per week. In 2019 Jo joined our permanent staff team as Assistant in Unit 1. Jo has 3 young sons who all attended MPC and are now in Primary and High School.
Erin McCourt
3 day group
has a Bachelor of Education (EC) and commenced working as an Inclusion Support Assistant in 2024. Erin also works as relief teacher where required. Erin’s children have attended MPC and are now enjoying school life.
Hayley Swain
MPC 3's 2 day group
has a Bachelor of Teaching and a Grad Dip in Education. Hayley started at MPC as our After Hours Co-Ordinator in 2004 and continued in this role until she took on the position as Assistant in 2009. In 2018 Hayley is excited to be taking on a new position as Teacher of the MPC 3’s group. Hayley’s 2 sons also attended MPC.
Jordy Zimmer
MPC 3's 2 day group
joined MPC in 2019 as Assistant Teacher in our MPC 3’s Group. Jordy worked at MPC in 2018 in relief roles as both Teacher and Assistant. She loves working with young children and building strong connections. We are very happy to have her as apart of our team. Jordy has a Bachelor of Early Childhood and a Bachelor of Education. She also has 2 daughters in high school.
Yvonne Matthews
Yvonne has been involved with MPC for many years as both her daughters attended here and has since been employed in various supporting roles over the years. Yvonne has a Diploma of ECEC and will be working in the 3’s program for several hours each Thursday and Friday.
Unit 2 Teachers
Louise Wood
3 day group
has been a teacher at MPC for over 13 years and holds a Bachelor of Education EC. She loves working with young children and developing strong bonds with the children and their families. Louise’s 2 sons also came to MPC and when the opportunity for a job came up, she said “I want to work at MPC” and has been here ever since.
Janette Draper
3 day group
has commenced a permanent position as Assistant in the Unit 2, 3 Day group in 2019. Janette has been working at MPC for the past 5 years in various roles, as relief teacher and assistant and in various support roles. Janette is a qualified Early Childhood teacher. Janette’s 3 children have all attended MPC.
Angela Walmsley
3 day group
has been working in Unit 3 as an Inclusion Support Assistant since 2022. Angela has a Cert III in Children’s Services and has become a valued and enthusiastic member of our staff team.
Anna Dutney
2 day group
has a Bachelor of Education (EC) and commenced with MPC in 2016. Anna has quickly become a highly valued member of our staff team. and has 2 young children who have also have attended MPC.
Vanessa Griffiths
2 day group
has a Diploma in Child Care and Education and has worked with young children for over 15 years. Vanessa has been working as an Educator at MPC since 2018 and in 2022 will be joining the Unit 2 teaching team in the 2 day group. Vanessa has 2 school age children and has been a parent at MPC herself.
Unit 3 Teachers
Elke Arndell
2 day group
has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and is returning to MPC in the role of Teacher in 2023. Elke previously worked at MPC as an Educator for many years up until 2018 which she finished her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). She has spent the past 4 years teaching at another local community kindergarten and we are all very excited to welcome back Elke to MPC in 2023.
Vanessa Griffiths
2 day group
has a Diploma in Child Care and Education and has worked with young children for over 15 years. Vanessa has been working as an Educator at MPC since 2018 and in 2022 will also be working in our Thursday Friday program in Unit 2. Vanessa has 2 school age children and has been a parent at MPC herself.
Kim Yarnton
3 day group
commenced as an Assistant in 2010. When Kim returned to MPC after the birth of her daughter she had completed her Bachelor of Education (EC) and was appointed to the role of teacher in 2013. Kim began teaching the MPC 3’s group in 2015 when it commenced and now teaches 3 days in Unit 3.
Megan Scarffe
3 day group
is commencing in 2022 as the Educator in our 3 day group. Megan has a Grad Dip of Early Childhood Education and is a registered teacher. She is keen to extend her knowledge and practice in a community kindergarten.
B & A Staff
Pam Infanti
has a Diploma in CS and has been a valuable member of our Staff Team since 2016. In 2024 Pam has taken on the role of Co-Ordinator of our B & A Care program. She will also be working as an Inclusion Support Assistant in Unit 1 with Elke and Vanessa.
Selvi Ganeshanathan
has a Diploma in Early Childhood. Selvi returns to MPC in 2024 to be our Supervisor on Friday afternoons.
B & A Staff
Kate Draper
is studying for her Certificate III in Children’s Services. Kate will be working in our B & A Care program several days a week and working as an Inclusion Support Assistant across the Units.
Kaitlan Mathews
has a Certificate III in ECEC. Kaitlan has been working in own Nannying business for several years and now combines this work with working in our B & A Care program as one of our valued Educators. Kaitlan has quickly become a valued and enthusiastic member of our B & A Care staff team.
Kim Hughes
has a Certificate III in CS. For over 12 years Kim was cleaner of MPC and did a great job. From 2018 she has hung up her mop and broom and works in the Before and After Care program.
Sue Helsdon
has a Certificate III in Children’s Services. Sue worked at MPC for over 30 years before retiring several years ago. Sue has returned to MPC on Wednesday afternoons to supervise our After Care program.
Administration Team
Anna Dutney and Louise Wood
CO-DIRECTORS
Following Leanne Hunter’s retirement at the end of 2022, Louise and Anna are stepping into this role as Co-Directors. Louise and Anna will continue to teach their 3 day and 2 day groups in Unit 2 and spend time in the office undertaking the Administration as Co-Directors on their other days.
Chris Nicoll
Business Manager
initially volunteered her time as Treasurer when her eldest son commenced at MPC in 1993 and has not left since! Employed as the first Admin Assistant of MPC in 1995 the position has grown over the years from a few hours per week to 3 to 4 days per week. Chris has a Diploma in Accounting and is a Commissioner for Declarations.
Cassandra Bourke
commenced as Business Manager in 2024. Cass has three children. Two early school-aged children who also attended MPC and her third child currently attends MPC3’s.