Our Educators…
Diamond Hills Preschool have experienced and dedicated staff, who have high expectations for the educational program they provide, and for every child and family within it. The Diamond Hills staff are a unified team who work together to provide welcoming, inclusive and reflective programs.
Annmaree Watkins 3 & 4 Year Old Teacher and Nominated Supervisor
Annmaree has spent many years working in the Early Childhood Education field – many of these at Diamond Hills Preschool. She has a Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Bachelor Equivalent) and has achieved an Exemplary Qualification under the Validation standard.
Annmaree currently works with the combined 3 and 4 year old Crocodile group, is the centre’s nominated supervisor and holds the Vice President position of the local teachers group (D.E.K.T.A).
Annmaree enjoys every aspect of teaching and part of her goal is to instill a love of learning as they begin their educational journey. Annmaree believes that every child should be valued and treated with respect. She realises that play is a child's most important work, and she strives to create and maintain an environment where your child can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them.
Annmaree has spent many years working in the Early Childhood Education field – many of these at Diamond Hills Preschool. She has a Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Bachelor Equivalent) and has achieved an Exemplary Qualification under the Validation standard.
Annmaree currently works with the combined 3 and 4 year old Crocodile group, is the centre’s nominated supervisor and holds the Vice President position of the local teachers group (D.E.K.T.A).
Annmaree enjoys every aspect of teaching and part of her goal is to instill a love of learning as they begin their educational journey. Annmaree believes that every child should be valued and treated with respect. She realises that play is a child's most important work, and she strives to create and maintain an environment where your child can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them.
Kim Walker 4 Year Old Teacher and Educational Leader
Kim is an experienced and dedicated early childhood teacher, who has worked in the Diamond Hills team since 2001. She holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood (Bachelor Equivalent) and is the current Educational Leader at Diamond Hills Preschool.
She currently teaches the 4 year old Penguin group and provides a nurturing, educationally stimulating and fun program. Kim strongly believes in building relationships with children and their families, to ensure an informed and individual program is provided for every child. She believes that strengthening the children’s sense of identity and belonging to their Penguin group encourages a love of learning for life. Music, movement, art and literacy are some of Kim’s teaching passions. Dancing with the children is one of her favourite things to do.
Kim is an experienced and dedicated early childhood teacher, who has worked in the Diamond Hills team since 2001. She holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood (Bachelor Equivalent) and is the current Educational Leader at Diamond Hills Preschool.
She currently teaches the 4 year old Penguin group and provides a nurturing, educationally stimulating and fun program. Kim strongly believes in building relationships with children and their families, to ensure an informed and individual program is provided for every child. She believes that strengthening the children’s sense of identity and belonging to their Penguin group encourages a love of learning for life. Music, movement, art and literacy are some of Kim’s teaching passions. Dancing with the children is one of her favourite things to do.
Tania Mantovani 3 Year Old Teacher & Extended Care Leader
Tania has worked in our 3-year-old program since 2011. She has recently gained her Bachelor of Education (Honours) through Monash University.
Tania has a sound knowledge of current theories in early childhood and understands that children bring valuable cultural, historical knowledge into their kindergarten environment, which influences and shapes children’s learning and interactions with peers and educators. Tania believes that children are capable and involved learners, and strongly believes in allowing children to challenge themselves to take measured risks with their physical skills and learning environments. Tania provides a stimulating, age-appropriate program with lots of amazing sensory play and hands on learning opportunities. Tania teaches the 3-year-old Wombat group.
Tania has worked in our 3-year-old program since 2011. She has recently gained her Bachelor of Education (Honours) through Monash University.
Tania has a sound knowledge of current theories in early childhood and understands that children bring valuable cultural, historical knowledge into their kindergarten environment, which influences and shapes children’s learning and interactions with peers and educators. Tania believes that children are capable and involved learners, and strongly believes in allowing children to challenge themselves to take measured risks with their physical skills and learning environments. Tania provides a stimulating, age-appropriate program with lots of amazing sensory play and hands on learning opportunities. Tania teaches the 3-year-old Wombat group.
Kyla Ridgeway Co-educator
Kyla is an experienced and dedicated early childhood co-educator who has worked in a variety of areas in this industry. She holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and she has worked at Diamond Hills since 2009 in both the 3 and 4 year old programs. Kyla currently works in both the Crocodile and Penguin groups.
Kyla has a great natural ability to communicate with children of this age group and to develop genuine relationships and rapport with her students – drawing out fantastic language, thoughts and learning ideas with the children. Kyla appreciates the sense of community at Diamond Hills and loves getting to know our families.
Kyla is an experienced and dedicated early childhood co-educator who has worked in a variety of areas in this industry. She holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and she has worked at Diamond Hills since 2009 in both the 3 and 4 year old programs. Kyla currently works in both the Crocodile and Penguin groups.
Kyla has a great natural ability to communicate with children of this age group and to develop genuine relationships and rapport with her students – drawing out fantastic language, thoughts and learning ideas with the children. Kyla appreciates the sense of community at Diamond Hills and loves getting to know our families.
Nicole De Cata Co-educator
Nicole is an experienced and dedicated teacher in the Diamond Hills teaching team. She holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood (Bachelor Equivalent) and to fit in with family commitments, has worked as a co-educator since 2009 at Diamond Hills. She currently works with the Crocodile teaching team.
One of Nicole’s teaching strengths is her ability to inspire and extend individual children’s learning – developing their interests, skills and their confidence to engage at deeper levels in their experiences. She loves the inquisitive nature of this age group and feels privileged to take a role in their education.
Nicole is an experienced and dedicated teacher in the Diamond Hills teaching team. She holds a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood (Bachelor Equivalent) and to fit in with family commitments, has worked as a co-educator since 2009 at Diamond Hills. She currently works with the Crocodile teaching team.
One of Nicole’s teaching strengths is her ability to inspire and extend individual children’s learning – developing their interests, skills and their confidence to engage at deeper levels in their experiences. She loves the inquisitive nature of this age group and feels privileged to take a role in their education.
Christine Muscat Co-educator
Christine holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and has worked with young children for the last 17 years, mainly in Kindergarten and Facilitated Playgroup settings.
She is creative, gentle, nurturing and fun-loving. Christine believes children learn best in a friendly, secure learning environment that fosters fun, imagination, independence and encouragement. She loves to see the children learning, gaining confidence and developing their social skills over the kinder year. She feels privileged to be able to make a positive difference in their learning journey. She currently works with the Penguin teaching team.
Christine holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and has worked with young children for the last 17 years, mainly in Kindergarten and Facilitated Playgroup settings.
She is creative, gentle, nurturing and fun-loving. Christine believes children learn best in a friendly, secure learning environment that fosters fun, imagination, independence and encouragement. She loves to see the children learning, gaining confidence and developing their social skills over the kinder year. She feels privileged to be able to make a positive difference in their learning journey. She currently works with the Penguin teaching team.
