• Our Preschool
• Our Teachers
• The Committee
• Work Experience
Our Preschool
The Mt Warning Community Preschool program caters for children aged from 3 to 5 years.
From our beginning as a family run playgroup at a community hall on Mt Warning Rd, we were incorporated in 1985, with families building our preschool in Glenock Rd, opening in 1992. Pauline, our past director and early childhood teacher, had been with the Preschool since 1987, transitioning the role to Ness Bryant in 2022.
Amy, Greg, and Jess have been educators at our preschool for a collective near four decades! Jess remembers riding the same trikes that still bring delight for the children! Clea started in 2021, and attended the original playgroup.
Amy, Clea, Erin, Greg, Ness, and Roberta’s children all were playgroup and pre-schoolers here. Ness has worked at the preschool since 2018. Janice joined us in 2022, bringing incredible experience, insight and love of early childhood education with them. Erin and Roberta joined our team in 2024, and Lila has joined in 2025. We had the incredible Kirsty join us in 2024 as Administrative Officer extraordinaire who comes with decades of administrative experience in community organisations.
As a community-based preschool it is operated as a not-for-profit service, which means any profits are re invested in the service to the benefit of community members.
Whilst the preschool employs an early childhood teacher and early childhood educators, the service is managed by a voluntary management committee comprising of families and community members who are elected to their positions each year and who are responsible for all major legal, financial, employment, planning and policy making decisions. All members of the preschool are encouraged to join the committee, whether it be in an official role or just to attend the committee meetings and help shape the preschool.
Mt Warning Community Preschool Founding Members
Carl Palmer
Joanna Gardner
Pauline Hurcombe
Our Staff
The Mt Warning Community Preschool education team boasts decades of service as well as ‘second generation’ teaching members.
Ness Bryant –
Director/Nominated Supervisor
Early Childhood Teacher (working towards)
Educational Leader
The things that nurture my happiness -my children, natural spaces (especially the ocean), animals and creative education. I am passionate in advocating for the right that all children experience joyful holistic and collaborative education with strong focus on wellbeing.
I received my Diploma of Children Services through ECTARC, QLD and I am currently studying my Bachelor of Education through University of New England.
My own two children and myself blossomed from being a part of the Mt Warning Preschool community. I believe this preschool to be the personification of what the Early Years Learning Framework is in practice.
I love the sense of community and joy at this preschool and now being and educator here – I am ecstatic!
Erin Davoren- Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching SCU
Coming from a family of teachers it’s no surprise I completed my teaching degree in 2015. I have worked as an Early childhood teacher and as an Early intervention coordinator supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities.
I feel at home at Mt Warning Community Preschool as it shares my passion for encouraging children to take control of their learning journey and creating inclusive and safe places to explore and prepare for their journey into big school.
My family and I moved from Tweed to Kunghur at the very end of 2023 and it has been the most positive change in our lives, we love having such a beautiful community and environment to raise our gorgeous children Lola & Louis.
Greg Arthur –
Educator (Certificate 3)
“BE IN THE HERE & NOW”
Greg has been an educator at Mt Warning Community Preschool since 2006.
Greg holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, studying at Ace, Murwillumbah. He also holds a Diploma of Fine Arts achieved at Alexander Makie School of Art, Sydney.
Greg’s daughter attended Mt Warning Community Preschool in 2001 through our Playgroup where his passion for childhood education was ignited. His focus is passing on skills to young children and through this making a positive difference in their lives.
His interests outside of preschool are music (he’s in a band), riding his Motor Cycle, obeying his wife of 24 years, gardening in his property and spending time with friends and family.
Amy Carroll –
Educator and Playgroup Facilitator (Diploma)
Amy moved to the beautiful mountains of Uki more than twenty years ago with her husband.
“We bought some land, built a house and had three lovely children. I’d long had an interest in Early Childhood education and my experience of the time my children spent at Mt Warning Community Preschool encouraged me to gain qualifications and join the amazing team here.”
Amy holds a degree in Illustration and loves to paint in her spare time, particularly botanical work of local fauna and flora. She also loves singing, musical theatre, cooking and growing her own herbs and vegetables.
“I enjoy sharing the natural world with the children at Preschool.”
Jessica Bohan Jensen
Educator (Certificate 3)
Janice Belle
Educator- (Diploma)
I enthusiastically join the Mt Warning Community Preschool. I have over 25 years experience with preschoolers in many capacities: A Playgroup Facilitator, Nanny and Child Care Educator. I have a deep understanding and insight into a child’s world. I embrace child led play and gently guide children on extending their play and ideas. I encourage outdoor and imaginative play and look forward to supporting our local families. I’m so excited to be a part of this village helping to raise your child.
Lila
Educator Diploma in ECEC
Casual
Roberta Chiarello- (Certificate 3)
The Committee
Mt Warning Community Preschool was built by local community members and continues to grow in this way. We are always keen to have new visions and voices on our community committee. Contact them at committee@mtwarningpreschool if you are interested in more information
Gabrielle Richards-
President
Peta Neale- Secretary
Stephanie Brennan-
Vice President
Mary Ann Hvala- Treasurer & Public Officer
Jemma Watson- Committee Member
Janelle Cannon- Committee Member
Stephanie Clerc-Committee member
Student placement & Work Experience
We value our role in supporting new educators and welcome student placements.
Work experience opportunities are also available at Mt Warning Community Preschool.
Please make your further enquiries to our preschool Director,
Ness Bryant at director@mtwarningpreschool.com or
contact our Administration Officer Kirsty Andrew at admin@mtwarningpreschool.com
Immunisation Requirements
Since January 2018, all children attending Early Childhood Education and Care services in NSW must be either fully immunised (this does not include Covid 19 vaccinations), or have a medical exemption signed by an approved medical practitioner, or started a medically recognised catch up schedule. This was mandated by the NSW Government and enforced by the Department of Education- Early Childhood. Please refer to our Immunisation Policy 2E and the Public Health Act 2010 (amd. 2018).