Staff
Leanne Gibbs |
Leanne has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Post Graduate Diploma (Teaching Gifted and Talented Children) and a Master in Politics and Public Policy. Her roles have encompassed teacher and director of long day care and preschool programs, adviser and manager with local state and federal government and the National Childcare Accreditation Council, teacher and lecturer within early education, management and leadership programs for TAFE and Macquarie University and manager of professional development programs for major providers. Her publications include Action, Advocacy and Activism; Standing up for Children (2003, CCCCNSW) and Policy Development in Early Childhood; from idea to implementation (2008, Pademelon Press). Leanne believes a strong focus on children's well being and civic participation together with child-centred communities ensures a promising future. |
Carolyn McGuinness |
Carolynhas a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood), Diploma of Children’s Services and has completed the Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. Carolyn has extensive experience in long day care, preschool and OSHC services with over 20 years of Early Childhood teaching, management and advisory experience both in Australia and Canada. She has been a Centre Director and an Area Manager for both the community and private sectors. She believes currency of knowledge is key to good practice and values creativity and innovation in the early childhood field. Carolyn is committed to a team approach in the workplace. |
Janelle Casey |
Janelle has worked for both State and Federal Governments. Federally, she held the position as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Australian Trade Commission. At State Government level Janelle worked for the Hon Michael Egan (NSW Treasurer) as part of his Private Staff and The Hon Faye Lo Po (under her portfolio of Minister for Ageing & Disability). Her last position within the State Government was as an Analyst, Internal Affairs for the NSW Police. She holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management. |
Kelera Mar |
Kelera has over 15 years of experience as a Teacher, Director and Manager in Long Day Care and Preschool settings. She is a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, a Trainer and Assessor within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector and a Registered Teacher (NZ). She is involved with management committees in a professional and personal capacity. Her professional interests include Leadership in Early Childhood, Adult Education and working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families. Kelera is a passionate educator with a strong commitment to children and families. |
Philippa Yeend |
Philippa is a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). Her experience in the early childhood field includes nine years teaching experience in a preschool and a further seven years providing program support and management to children’s services staff in both long day care and an outside school hours Care service. Before joining Children's Services Central, Philippa worked as a Project Co-ordinator across a range of projects, including co-ordinating two telephone information and referral lines, as well as overseeing the fees and administrative management of an OSHC and vacation care service. |
Gai Lindsay |
Gai holds a Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and a Bachelor of Education Studies. Gai has worked as a preschool teacher and director for 20 years, largely serving in community-based preschools in NSW. She is a passionate advocate for community-based services and has been very active in the Children's Choice Campaign, currently serving as a moderator of the NSW preschools e-group. In recent years, Gai has been honoured to receive awards for her work including a CeeCees Advocacy award (2007) and an ACE award for Outstanding Achievement in Education (2008) and a 2008 REAIE scholarship to participate in the 2008 study tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy. |
Elaine Pezzano |
Elaine holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 years) and a Diploma of Children’s Services. She has over 10 years’ experience within the Early Childhood sector as an educator and director. During this time she has worked in OSHC, long day care and preschool settings. Elaine values each child as an individual and capable learner, and believes that through empowerment leads to an enriched opportunity of stimulation and growth. |
Karen Grant |
Karen has over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of industries in both government and private sectors. She has held various roles in administration, customer service and reception. Karen’s customer centric skills are widely used supporting the various program areas of the organisation. |
Indra Alagar Raja |
Indra has a B.Ed., a Masters in English Literature and is currently studying the Diploma in Management. Indra has been with the organisation for over 12 years and her diverse range of skills and knowledge are invaluable for managing the training bookings. Indra is also responsible for training enquiries, invoicing, payments and banking |
Poppy Sari |
Poppy comes to Children’s Services Central with a background in Marketing. She has excellent administration skills and is familiar with reporting requirements for large corporations. Poppy is responsible for monitoring contractual compliance for our Professional Support Service Providers (PSSPs) and assists with our reporting requirements to our funding bodies. Poppy is learning more about children’s services in her role and is committed to ongoing professional development for children’s services staff. |
Ann Cochrane |
Ann comes to Children’s Services Central with a strong IT background which she uses in her position as Corporate Services and IT Support officer. Ann provides IT support to the organisation. She has over 25 years experience in IT operations and support with a broad knowledge of software, hardware and databases. |
Ecelini Mirabella |
Ecelini brings a wide range of skills to the organisation gained while working in the hospitality industry and in her previous traineeship with Community Child Care. Since completing her Certificate III in Business Administration, Ecelini has now progressed to involvement in the full range of accounting tasks carried out across the organisation. Her excellent administrative skills are invaluable to Children’s Services Central. |
Jacqueline Latta |
Jackie has been employed with not-for-profit organisations in the field of Finance, Accounting and Payroll for over 25 years, and has always held a genuine interest in the welfare sector since being a volunteer Treasurer and Board member for Milton-Ulladulla Preschool back in 1997. Having studied Accounting, Economics and Business Communications at tertiary level, and holding Certificates in Fraud Control, Compliance Solutions and Risk Management, amongst others, Jackie contributes a wealth of experience, knowledge and ability to the accounting, administrative and financial operations team at Children’s Services Central. |
