About Us
At Jack and Jill Kindergarten the focus is on play-based learning. Our learning program caters to your child’s individual needs and offers equipment and activities that are tailored to your child’s stage of development.
Kindergarten will help your child become more aware of the world around them. It helps promote language development and social skills as well as intellectual, physical and emotional skills. Jack and Jill Kindergarten provides an opportunity for your child to develop a strong sense of self in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Kindergarten is supported and run by a dedicated parent committee. We work in conjunction with Bayside Council.
Our Dedicated Team of Early Childhood Educators
Jodie Toms
Junior Group Teacher
Director and Nominated Supervisor
Jodie has over 20 years experience working in various early learning services and has been the Director at Jack and Jill Kindergarten for the last 12 years.
She believes it is important for educators, parents and children to work closely together, to ensure the best outcomes for each child. with relationships being key to ensuring that each child and family feels connected and valued as part of the kindergarten community. Providing a rich, educational play based program that reflects each child’s interests, challenges their skills and promotes social interactions, investigating, making discoveries, problem solving and independence, gives each child the opportunity to develop skills for life and a love of learning, ensuring they have a positive start to their educational journey.
Ashlee Bray
Senior Group Teacher
My name is Ashlee and I am very excited to be the teacher of the Senior group for 2023. I believe by educating the whole child based on their needs and interests, they can gain the skills and knowledge to not only flourish into lifelong learners but become secure, respectful and confident individuals. I am extremely passionate about assisting children in becoming the best version of themselves by ensuring they feel safe, included, loved and supported within our Kinder community. I have three years experience within Early Childhood, six years in Primary Education and I have recently furthered my studies by undertaking my Masters in Counselling. In my spare time I enjoy taking my dog ( Amani) on fun adventures, spending time with friends and family, walking on the beach, cooking and being creative!
Suzy Williams
Senior & Junior Group Educator
I believe that children learn through all experiences, and that I believe each child has a unique way of communicating, original imagination and natural curiosity. My intention is that each child’s potential is nurtured and cultivated through reflective practice and inquiry. I believe children learn in many different ways. My aim is to create an atmosphere that is richly infused with learning opportunities, exploration and encouragement. My intention is to cultivate authentic, collaborative connections between children, families, educators and our community.
Lisa Ward
Senior & Junior Group Educator
The early education of each child is an important and special time. It’s a time that they can learn important skills in a place where they feel safe, confident and supported. I believe children learn best when they are able to freely explore and experience the world around them. Children who feel safe and supported can truly be at their best. I feel a great sense of privilege to be a part of this amazing time for children and their families.
Andrea Cummins
Educational Leader
Andrea has over 25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher, Director, and Specialist Inclusion Support Facilitator. For the past 5 years she has worked as a consultant providing professional learning and parent education sessions throughout Australia.
Andrea has been the Director of a Kindergarten for 21 years, founding a Bush Kinder program and is passionate about outdoor play and inclusion support.
Andrea has a Diploma in Teaching Early Childhood from Melbourne University majoring in Special Needs. She mentors and provides Pedagogical Leadership to our educators and supports the development of a rich learning environment and program.
