4 YEAR OLD TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS
At Winston Hills Preschool we have established, a experienced and consistent team of teachers and educators who are passionate about early childhood education whom are able to deliver a high quality play-based program and curriculum. Our team is led by University Degree qualified Early Childhood Teachers with support staff holding either a Diploma or Certificate Three in Early Childhood Education.
Meet The Teachers
Kylie Baker
4 Year Old Teacher
(Red Group)
Kylie graduated from University of Melbourne (Bachelor Early Childhood Studies) in 2002. Kylie is a passionate teacher with over 15 years experience in early childhood education, who has held a variety of teaching roles in Australia, Japan and UK, including as an Early Childhood Mentor for educators in Victoria.
Thu Tran
4 Year Old Teacher
(YELLOW Group)
“I believe a passion for learning is imbedded in a child’s passion to play… So let’s go play!”
Thu joined Winston Hills in 2024 as a 4-year-old provisional teacher for Yellow Group in 2024. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching and a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, but her proudest achievement is being a mum to her three children (who all attended Winston Hills).
Thu enjoys making connections with children and valuing each individual as they learn, develop and grow. Working with children keeps her young at heart too.
Nicola Cairns-Cowan
4 Year old Teacher (Yellow Group)
Nic graduated with a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood in 1997 and has spent her career immersed in early childhood in a variety of roles across New Zealand, England and now Australia.
She is fascinated in the development of children and believes that respectful and responsive relationships provide an important foundation on which children can grow, explore and learn.
Nic is passionate about research on brain development and the social and emotional development of children, so supporting children to feel safe and secure in their surroundings is a priority. Nic also enjoys connecting children with nature and the responsibilities of caring for our world.
“By creating a warm and inviting environment where children can be free to explore and experiment with ideas, we help children to develop lifelong skills of curiosity, confidence, persistence and resilience.” – Nic
In 2011 Nic moved from New Zealand to Melbourne and lives locally with her husband and two daughters.
Mia Cao
4 Year old Teacher (Purple Group)
Mia has been our Purple Group teacher since 2023.
Mia holds a Graduate Diploma in Education and is an experienced Early Childhood Teacher & Early Childhood Language Program teacher.
Mia enjoys listening to children's words, trying new things with them, laughing and making fun together.
In her spare time, she loves to work out, exploring different playgrounds with her children, reading and cooking.
Meet The Educators
Leanne Hinchliffe
4 Year Old Educator
(Red Group)
Leanne is married with 2 adult children and has lived in the Diamond Valley area for over 20 years. In 2015 she decided that now her children were older, it was time for her to return to study. Leanne completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and then went on to complete her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care as well.
Leanne felt extremely privileged in 2015 to be offered a position as an Educator at Winston Hills.
She enjoys watching the children continually learn and grow through play during their time at Preschool while at the same time learning so much from them, they continually amaze her and remind her how precious and important the Early Years are.
Michelle Thomas
4 Year Old Educator
(Yellow GRoup bush kinder)
Michelle joined Winston Hills as a Vice President 2022. We were then fortunate to have Michelle apply and join the team for 2023. Michelle holds a Masters of Science (Early Childhood Education). And is a Viewbank Scout Leader 2022.
She's a fantastic listener, empathetic, organised, patient, resilient, very community minded, incredible role model for children and our community. We are so lucky to have her join our teaching team.
Jodie Hall
4 YEAR OLD Educator
(Purple Group)
Jodie Hall is our Purple Group educator. Jodie has 20 years working experience in early childhood education. She loves sharing stories and songs with children especially using her hand-made visual props. Jodie also enjoys doing dancing experiences with the children and has an interest in mindfulness. Jodie is currently doing a short online course in teaching mindfulness to children and believes incorporating mindfulness in a child's day helps regulate their emotions and improves cognitive development.