LANCASTER PRESCHOOL

Teacher

Lauren Spratt

I have been teaching preschool for over 15 years in the Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox areas and am thrilled to be working in such a high quality setting as Lancaster Preschool. I am passionate about play-based learning and using the children’s interests to create opportunities for engagement, learning and creativity. I believe children learn best when the have close bonds with their educators and peers and when we meet children where they are at, extending their ideas and natural inclinations. I love to see children grow in their self-confidence and autonomy throughout the year, in fact my aim for the end of the kinder year is to be of very little use to the children, except to help source their materials and share a laugh together, as their independence and thinking is so well-developed. I am a huge fan of the Walker Learning Approach, that we use at Lancaster, so much so that my children attend a primary school using the same pedagogy. Children will naturally do the things they need to for developing life skills (climb, dig, paint, act, sing, spin, splash, explore, create) – it is up to us as adults to support and encourage these types of play to form the basis for further learning and curiousity.
When I’m not teaching at Lancaster, I like spending time with my family, going caravaning, reading books, thrashing my sons at Just Dance and eating chocolate 🙂

Teacher

Mandy Hunter

I began my career in early childhood in the year 2000, working at a long day care setting, during this time I completed my Diploma in children’s services. I then commenced a position caring and educating nursery age children. With a love and passion for learning about Early Childhood Development and my dream to be a Kindergarten Teacher, I began study at The University of Melbourne, where I studied to complete a Bachelor in Early Childhood Studies. During my study and after completing my degree I have gained experience working in a variety of Educational settings, such as, long daycare, private school and community not-for-profit Kindergartens. I believe the Pre-school years are so important in encouraging a child to develop a love of learning and confidence in themselves as an individual. Through play and interaction with peers and adults, children are supported to develop a sense of connection with the community. I believe it takes a community to raise a child, this is why through my experience I am passionate about community-based education. During the Pre-school years children are nurtured and supported to develop a strong identity and sense of wellbeing where interests, abilities, talents, knowledge, culture and an understanding about themselves as a learner are explored and developed. The Pre-school years are the first step a child takes in their educational journey, we create a setting where curiosity, passion and friendships are encouraged. I believe a memorable and happy early childhood experience helps to lay the crucial foundations for future lifelong success and fulfillment.

Educator

Kerrie Gould

My name is Kerrie and I am a mum to two children, Jacob and Jessica. They both attended Lancaster Preschool for 3 and 4 year old kinder in 2010 to 2012 and are now attending St Peter Julian Eymard Primary School. We live within walking distance of the kinder, having moved to Mooroolbark in 2010, with our two dogs and our parrot. I have worked with children in many roles over the years including working with children with special needs in homes and at various schools, as a Nanny and as a teacher’s assistant at a technical school.

As a family we enjoy 4-wheel driving, camping and travelling. During the school term our lives revolve around the after school activities of dancing, basketball, and swimming. My kids and I are passionate AFL supporters (my husband says he is an AFL widow come winter!). We are at almost every St. Kilda game in Melbourne and usually one or two interstate games as well. Yes we really love our football! This position is a dream come true for me and I truly consider it an absolute privilege to have been chosen to be a part of your children’s lives and education.

Nicole McAleer