• Our Preschool
• Our Teachers
• The Committee
• Work Experience
Our Preschool
Our preschool welcomes children from 3 to 5 years old.
We began as a family run playgroup at the Mt Warning Rd community hall, and were incorporated in 1985, with families building our preschool in Glenock Rd, opening in 1992.
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.
Our Preschool Founding Members
Carl Palmer
Joanna Gardner
Pauline Hurcombe
Our Staff
Our education team boasts decades of service as well as ‘second generation’ teaching members.
Ness Bryant –
Director/Nominated Supervisor & Educational Leader
The things that nurture my happiness -my children, natural spaces (especially the ocean), animals, kindness, 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 stumbled into working with children in 2003 as an artist, after being told I needed a career by a job agency. I started at Toowong Long Day Care, the day of my interview, and the feeling after that first shift, magic! I loved it so much I stayed there until the birth of my first child.
In 2014, I returned south and I brought my two children to the playgroup here at preschool. Both my children attended our preschool. We blossomed from being a part of the Preschool community. I was welcomed as an educator here in 2018 and in 2022 stepped into the role of Nominated Supervisor. In 2023 I tiptoed into the role of Director/ECT after the extraordinary director/teacher Pauline retired- little feet but big shoes to fill!! Two things I teach children is to shine your kind heart and love and like yourself. I believe this preschool to be the personification of what the Early Years Learning Framework is in practice.
I love the sense of community, natural elements, creativeness, and joy at this preschool.
Elissa McAuliffe- Early Childhood Teacher
Elissa is our Early Childhood Teacher who believes deeply in the power of quality early childhood experiences for all children based in relational and place-based pedagogies. Elissa holds a Bachelor of Sustainable Development, a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education and is currently studying a Master of Education majoring in Indigenous Education and Educational Leadership. Elissa has extensive experience working in Reggio-Emilia inspired schools, pre-schools and kindergartens in a range of unique progressive schools in WA, Victoria and NSW. Elissa co-founded Remida WA in 2005- an educational re-use centre in Perth that has been running for over 20 years.
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
Roberta Chiarello- (Certificate 3)
I’m originally from Italy and, after spending a year in Melbourne, I moved to this beautiful area eight years ago, where I have truly found a place I love to call home. Three years ago, after many years working as a chef, I decided to change careers and discovered a completely new passion in early childhood education. I genuinely love working with children and feel very lucky to be able to come to work every day with joy and enthusiasm. I’m also a mum, and my son attended Mount Warning Community Preschool, which makes being part of this community especially meaningful to me. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, respected, valued and free to explore, play and express themselves. I love being part of their learning journey, watching their personalities grow and celebrating all the little achievements that make each day special.
Maddie– Bachelor of Teaching
I am a volunteer and casual worker at MWCP. I am a retiree who lives in Murwillumbah. You may remember my daughter, Erin, who worked at the preschool for a few years. I volunteered at her encouragement and I have loved every minute of it. I was a teacher for 40+ years. My experience has been in Special Education in every setting imaginable and in many different roles. When I retired, the one thing I missed the most was the students. I feel privileged to spend time with the little people at MWCP and watch as they begin their journey in formal education. Their creativity and resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. It is a joy to see them developing their knowledge base and social skills. The staff have been very welcoming and I appreciate their camaraderie. If you’re out and about and a granny says ‘hi’ to your child, it’ll more than likely be me.
Meg
Volunteer
The Committee
Our 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.com if you are interested in more information
Gabrielle –
President
Gemma- Secretary
Stephanie-
Vice President
Mary Ann – Treasurer & Public Officer
Chloe- Committee Member
Tamarah- Committee Member
Derek-Committee member Naomi-Committee member
Student placement & Work Experience
We value our role in supporting new educators and welcome student placements.
Work experience opportunities are also available.
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).