TEACHING TEAM

At Wonnai Preschool our staff employ a collaborative approach to program development and implementation guided by Mrs Jenny Chapman (Educational Leader & Nominated Supervisor) and Mrs Emma Anderson (4 year old Teacher). Our staff are passionate about their roles and strive to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for children and their families.

The programs are developed around the principles set out in the Victorian Early Years Learning & Development Framework, with each of our teaching team bringing their unique talents and interests to the various sessions. This approach enables Wonnai Preschool to provide children with a boutique kinder experience in the leafy surrounds of Langwarrin.

jenny-chapman-wonnai-preschool — **Jenny Chapman – 4 year old Blue Group Teacher**

A passionate and dedicated leader, Jenny brings with her a wealth of experience, having taught for an amazing 41 years (28 years of which have been in Langwarrin).
Jenny is an enthusiastic and caring teacher, able to cope with the many competing demands of teaching an active, inquisitive group of 4 year old children, as well as take on the roles of educational leader and nominated supervisor.
She aims to provide an environment that is safe, secure, stimulating, challenging yet achievable, and fun. She believes that the program and environment should also reflect the children’s interests and passions, as well as provide a balance between child-initiated and adult supported experiences.

carol-chant-wonnai-preschool — **Carol Chant – 4 year old Blue Group Educator**

Carol has been with us at Wonnai Preschool for 13 years, having previously worked for 10 years with Special Needs children, helping them develop their skills and be part of a mainstream setting.
Helping children develop their imagination through play, stories, music and movement is also one of her joys, along with introducing them to structured and open-ended activities which in turn provide the children with important learning experiences and opportunities for self expression.
Children respond well to Carol’s unassuming nature and she is wonderfully adept at ensuring they are happy and that the various activities are run safely and smoothly.

**Leura vorbach - 3 year old Green Group Teacher**

Leura completed a Diploma of Teaching - Early Childhood and a Graduate Diploma in Special Education at Melbourne University. Leura has been a kindergarten teacher for more than 26 years. During her career in early childhood education she has worked full-time as an educational leader and in part time roles across the inner city, Bayside areas and in country Victoria.
Her passion is teaching three year old kindergarten children. She enjoys working and supporting children and families through the challenging beginning of starting kindergarten and seeing them grow and develop into unique beings ready for four year old kindergarten.
Leura incorporates her passion for gardening and sustainable living into the curriculum, working with children to maintain the veggie patches and use recycled materials. She also includes dramatic play in her sessions as she believes it helps children to draw on their everyday experiences and express their imagination.

Sonia Dudgeon- blue and green group educator

Sonia is a local mum who has worked for in the Early Childhood Industry for 16 years and in Midwifery and Early parenting for 17 years.
Sonia is delighted to be apart of the wonderful team at Wonnai Pre-school, she loves coming to the kinder every day, being involved in all art and craft experiences, music and movement, construction, life experiences like cooking, gardening, story time and dramatic play
Sonia loves allowing children to explore and grow while they play in a safe and happy environment

emma-anderson-wonnai-preschool — **Emma Anderson – 4 year old Red Group Teacher**

Emma is a Langwarrin local with 30 years’ experience as a Pre-School Teacher and Wonnai Pre-School has been lucky to call her one of their own for the past 16 years.
Emma believes that as a Pre-School Teacher she is in the unique and wonderful position of working in partnership with the children on their learning journey.  Her program aims to support all children to be engaged, confident and competent learners. The program is play based and as such activities and experiences are provided to spark curiousity, provide opportunities for hands on interactions, promote problem solving skills and foster creativity and wonder.
Emma also encourages children to become active members of our community, promoting independence and interpersonal skills and building respectful relationships with each other.
Emma loves the community feel of Wonnai Pre-School and values the support of parents, our Committee and our wider community.  This sense of community and belonging at Wonnai, impacts very positively on the experiences of the children at our Pre-School.