Staff and Management

Without doubt, our staff are the backbone of Neighborhood House. Educators want to work here because of our excellent reputation and our reputation is because of our Educators. Testament to this is the number of staff members eligible for long service leave, those who are recognised for years of dedicated and committed care and the low staff turnover. We look after our staff so they stick around long enough to educate and care for your children from whatever stage they start until they head off to primary school.

Our staff are qualified over and above minimum requirements. They have knowledge of both emotional and developmental needs of our children. Our Staff/Child ratios exceed Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Regulations. Through in service workshops we continuously extend their skills. You will surely get a sense of their nurturing, sensitive and caring natures when you visit us.

Kate Hall. Director (Commenced May 1983)

Kate has been the Director of Neighborhood House since May 1983. Kate is passionate about the Early Childhood Education Industry and constantly aims to raise the bench mark in delivering outstanding outcomes for young children and Educators under her guidance. In this time Kate has overseen the relocation of the Centre from Bridport St to Carter St and the expansion and renovations in 1995, 2002 and again in 2012.

Kate has two children, Sarah and Ben who are both young adults now.

Telstra Business Women’s Award Finalist 2005.

In 2012 Kate was awarded an "Outstanding Educator Award" and an "Advancing Practice Award" from Early Childhood & Education & Care Awards.

Qualifications – Diploma of Applied Science (Children’s Services). Diploma of Business. Occupational Health & Safety Supervisor.

Margaret - Educator -Preschool Room (Commenced June 2015)

Margaret joined our team having gained extensive experience as a nanny for several families in Paris for 15 years. Since coming back to Melbourne in early 2014 with her family, Margaret has completed her Certificate III in Children's Services and has been working in a wide range of Centres as a casual reliever. Margaret is a mature and enthusiastic Educator who is passionate about offering high quality care and education for young children. Margaret is the co-ordinator of our ever popular French Program and ensures that French is a part of the children’s everyday life.

Qualifications - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Wilbert Romulo - Centre Chef (Commenced June 2017)

Wilbert relocated to Melbourne from New Zealand just prior to commencing at Neighborhood House where he had gained 17 years experience as a chef across a range of different sectors including flight catering, hospital catering and Pre-school catering. Wilbert’s previous role included catering for 140 children each day including those with a range of allergies, food preferences and religious dietary requirements. Wilbert has an impeccable reputation that includes his great work ethic, strong attention to detail and superb ability to prepare nutritious and popular meals for children.

Qualifications - Food Services Course, Module 1, Module 2 and Module 3

Lynette Tah - Educational Leader (Commenced April 2019)

Lynette joined our team as the Educational Leader after 5 years of experience at another Early Years service in Sydney. Lynette is equipped with pedagogical leadership to create commonly accepted values and share vision for the teams in which she works within. Lynette’s greatest strengths are her conscientious, high level of initiative and reliability.

Qualifications: Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Corina Tiong - Educator - Early Learner Room (Commenced June 2021)

Corina joined our team having had extensive experience within Early Childhood and Primary Schools both as a Reliever and Permanent Educator. Corina is mature and displays a gentle and nurturing approach with all age ranges. Corina's degree of initiative, energy and enthusiasm is a great asset to our Neighborhood Team. Corina is a mum to two gorgeous young boys.

Qualifications: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care / Bachelor of Teaching - Deakin University (Melbourne)

Brooke Hennessey - Teacher in charge of 4 year old Funded Program (Commenced August 2021)
Brooke joined the Neighborhood House family having had extensive experience over a range of different types of schools both throughout Australia and London. Brooke's strengths include strong communication skills, excellent team work and strong commitment to partnerships with families. Brooke has a particular interest in accommodating all children and their individual needs and abilities. Brooke's interests in her own time include travelling (prior to Covid) catching up with friends, watching movies and trail hiking.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education : Birth - 5 years

Ana Peros - Educator - Preschool Room (Commenced November 2021)
Ana immigrated from Croatia 6 years ago and clearly is passionate in pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education and has completed her Certificate III and Diploma and now is in the midst of completing her Bachelor. Ana has extensive experience over a range of sectors and is a Mum to three children of various ages. Ana has a particular interest in Mindfulness and her play based philosophy based on children's interests aligns well with Neighborhood House.

Qualifications: Certificate III - Children's Services; Diploma - Children's Services in Education and Care; Working towards - Bachelor - Early Childhood Education

Bowen Sun - Teacher in Charge of 3 Year Old Kindergarten Room (Commenced January 2022)
Bowen is a dedicated and empathic Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood & Primary) graduate with a background in Human Psychology. She focuses on social and emotional wellbeing of children, ensuring all children's interests, strengths and learning needs are prioritised and responded to. Bowen incorporates an inquiry-based approach into all aspects of learning ensuring programs are tailored to children's interests while at the same time encouraging critical thinking. Bowen enjoys reading in her spare time.

Qualifications: Masters of Teaching - Early Childhood & Primary

Sunny Sritongyom - Educator Early Learners Wing (Commenced February 2022)
Sunny first came to Neighborhood House during 2021 to complete her professional practical experience and due to Covid her placement spanned over many months. During this time we established that Sunny was an excellent Educator and great cultural fit for Neighborhood House. Sunny is an enthusiastic Educator who shows great initiative and maturity throughout each day and as a result is a valuable member of our team.

Qualifications: Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

Maria Azupardo - Educator Early Learners Wing (Commenced April 2022)
Maria is a dedicated Teacher who is passionate about high quality education. She displays a happy and calm nature and understands how crucial the preschool years are in a child's life.
Maria's interests in her spare time involve walking trails, outdoor activities and going to markets.

Qualifications: Masters in Education and Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Melanie Gualdron - In-House Relieving Educator (Commenced June 2023)
Melanie completed her Diploma in Melbourne in 2022. Originally from Columbia she has completed her Bachelor in Spanish and English Education which is yet to be assessed in Australia. Melanie's experience includes being a room leader in a toddler room with 1-2 year old children. Prior to this she was working with 3-5 year old children. Melanie is passionate about encouraging children to develop socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Henry Cheng - In-House Relieving Teacher (Commenced October 2022)

Henry completed is final year student placement with us at Neighborhood House and in between placements was employed as a casual Educator. Henry has now completed his teaching qualification and is now employed full time at Neighborhood House. Henry is a very valued member of our team with the ability to be able to work with all age groups and all members of our team.
Henry is professional, enthusiastic and passionate about high quality education and outcomes for young children.
Henry is very child focused and displays a patient, calm and caring disposition.

Qualifications: Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Science.

Sita Kharel - In-House Relieving Educator (Commenced September 2023)
Sita joined the Neighborhood House family as a student working towards her Bachelor in Early Education Childhood Teaching Qualification. Sita brings a wealth of maturity and experience and is passionate about high quality Education for Preschool Children. Sita is flexible and is able to teach in all age ranges and as a result works in all our rooms over the week. Sita is a valued member of our team.

Qualifications: Certificate III Children's Services; Diploma in Children's Services; Working towards Bachelor Early Childhood Teaching.

Yin Tong – Co-Teacher of 3 Year Old Kindergarten Room (Commenced January 2024)

Yin has completed a Masters of Teaching in Early Years and has had over 7 years experience. Yin genuinely enjoys teaching children and sees them as capable young citizens and hence her role is to support their learning.

Yin focuses on incorporating literacy and numeracy into arts and crafts and other areas of the Educational Program.

Yin is a valued member of our team.

Qualifications : Masters of Teaching (Early Years)

Alaa Gharib – Co-Teacher in Preschool Room (Commenced January 2024)

Alaa moved from Hobart in Tasmania to accept the Teaching role in our Preschool Room. Alaa is a dedicated early childhood teacher with a special interest in supporting children with additional needs.

Alaa is focused on building safe and welcoming opportunities for play and exploration. Alaa is knowledgeable about developmentally appropriate milestones and enjoys teaching 4 year old’s in order to prepare them for school.

Qualifications : Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)

Mia Hancock-New – Educator in Early Learners Wing (Commenced January 2024

Mia joined our team after moving from Tasmania to Melbourne. Mia has had 3 years experience in early years education in Hobart. Mia is passionate about high quality learning environments for young children and particularly enjoys working with children under 3 years of age.

Mia is mature, professional and has excellent communication skills. Mia is an asset to our team.