Jordon Brown Kindergarten Teacher & Operations Manager
My name is Jordon, and I am the operations manager at both Marcus Road and Jacks Avenue Kindergartens. I hold a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, and an Advance Diploma of Community Sector Management.
I began my career at the age of 16, studying the certificate 3 in children's services while completing years 11 and 12 at highschool, and have loved every moment. My career began as an assistant in a long day care centre working in the nursery room (6 weeks to 1 year), from there I moved up the ladder to room leader, 2IC then centre manager. After a (long) break of studying I decided to head back to university with a toddler in tow.
I am a passionate teacher with one of my main interests being children’s well-being and making sure all children are supported in the education sector. The 3 year old group is my chosen age group where children still need guideance, nuturing and support for nearly all aspects of their development.
When I'm not working, I am spending time with my daughter, Indie. We spend time playing at home, visiting parks and zoos.
Renee Anquetil
Kindergarten Teacher, Nominated Supervisor & Educational Leader
Hello! My name is Renee, and I have the pleasure of teaching the 4-year-old Possum Group, and the 3-year-old Koala Group at Marcus Rd Kindergarten.
My passion for Early Childhood Education began as a Year 10 student when I completed my work experience in a Child Care setting. Upon completing my VCE, I studied for my Diploma in Community Services (Child Care) at Swinburne University. Soon after I had a desire to enhance my professional knowledge, obtaining a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from the University of Melbourne.
Prior to my employment at Dingley Kindergarten in 2008, I have had experience in a variety of early childhood settings – including coordinating an occasional care service, team leader in a Long Day Care Centre (3-5 year olds) and Kindergarten Teacher within an Early Intervention Program; as well as with primary school aged children – coordinating School Holiday Programs and an Out of School Hours Care program.
I believe that Kindergarten is an exciting time in the lives of children and their families, and for most is the first step in their education – setting the foundations for a lifetime of learning. I value the role of families in the lives of children, and recognise the importance of working in conjunction with parents to ensure children reach their full potential – even more so since starting my own family in 2001.
Our play-based approach to learning provides a quality, educational, child-centred program that is exciting, fascinating and challenging.
Sonia Davis
Kindergarten Teacher
Hi. My name is Sonia and I am one of the four-year-old Dolphin Group teachers at Marcus Road Kindergarten.
As a VCE graduate, I ventured on to study Early Childhood at Melbourne University and completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies in 1996.
Prior to starting my own family, I spent 9 years co-ordinating 3-5 year old programs within two long day child care centres. After this I spent 8 years as a stay at home mum raising my 3 children, before returning to teaching on a relief basis with the Dingley Kindergarten Centres in 2013.
Working with children is a very rewarding experience. To watch children learn and grow, and to see them challenge themselves to meet milestones is a wonderful thing to be part of. It's also very rewarding to work in partnerships with families and the community to provide the best possible learning environment for the children.
Jenny Harper
Educator
Hello, my name is Jenny Thomas and I have the pleasure of working as a co-educator in both the three-year-old Koala Group and four-year-old Possum Group at Marcus Rd Kindergarten.
I am a mother of 4 children (3 girls and a boy). I have been working at the Dingley Kindergartens since January 2008 and I currently hold a certificate 3 in children’s services and have also completed a disability education program.
Prior to working at the kindergartens I spent 5 years working at Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough. My main role being Junior Program Co-ordinator. This role required me to organise all sports programs, liaise with primary schools, plan school holiday programs and work with disabled and multicultural children/ adults.
I love working here at the kindergarten, and being a part of the children’s and families lives is very rewarding for me. Many great friendships have been formed over the years.
Natasha Bloomfield
