KINDER is back and after an incredible start to the year, new director Hayley Roberts is excited for term two to begin.
Taking over the reins in 2025 from long-standing director Nicola Beautyman, Hayley grew up in the shire before her career in early childhood education took her to Melbourne, returning in recent years to the township she knows and loves.
At the community-run kindergarten since 2023, Hayley has been working alongside Nicola in the classroom and behind the scenes as part of the centre’s succession plan.
Nicola after a decade in the role and over 20 years at the kindergarten has been eyeing up retirement, and whilst you can still find her in the classroom she has stepped down as director.
Having already taken on tasks like the newsletter and communicating with kinder families, Hayley recently was responsible for drafting the facility’s quality improvement plan along with creating a reconciliation action plan.
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It was a good introduction to taking on all back-of-house management, with the plans set in motion prior to the handover allowing Hayley to start 2025 feeling competent and confident in her new role.
“I’ve been a kindergarten teacher for quite a few years now,” Hayley said
“In Aspendale – which is near the beach - I worked at a music and wellbeing kinder.
“I’ve been able to introduce into my teaching here some of the things like meditation, yoga and music that were so well-received and enjoyed at this centre.
“Children love music and learn so much more when it’s involved, and so our German language program for the four-year-olds incorporates music alongside puppets and games.”
Building on her years in the classroom, Hayley is now excited to add kindergarten administration to her skill set.
“It’s also been great to welcome Amy Vella onto the leadership team,” she said.
Teacher of the three-year-old group, Amy started at the Mansfield Kindergarten at the same time as Hayley.
“As the kindergarten has expanded so too has the role of director since Nicola first took it on.
“Amy is here to support me in the role – so we’re the new management team, and overseeing and supporting us is our strong parent and friends committee.”
2025 marks the beginning of the state government’s gradual transition of four-year-old kindergarten to pre-prep, with funded kindergarten programs across Victoria increasing from 15 to 30 hours each week by 2032.
Pre-prep started in six local government areas - including Murrindindi Shire – this year and will be gradually rolled out across the state, with Hayley and the team in discussions as to how to implement the program locally and over what timeframe.
“There will be a survey going out to our families – particularly the three-year-olds – to determine what they need and what works for them,” she said.
Hayley said after a couple of years of renovations both the kinder kids and staff are really enjoying the space, stretching their legs in the new environment with the three-year-olds in the back playground and the four-year-olds in the front.
“The noises and reduced play areas were challenging at times during the renovation, but at the same time it was a valuable learning experience for the children,” she said.
“They got to watch the diggers and the cement mixers and all the trades going on through the fence.
“And now we have the space to grow and expand.
“With two dedicated play areas it allows children to experience those transitions - graduating up to the next class – and for kids, early childhood education is all about hitting those little milestones.”
The facility also now offers dedicated after-kinder care with students able to stay on after the 2.30pm finish; the kindergarten open until 5.30pm for families who need to work late.
“It’s not an extension of kinder, rather a standalone educational opportunity for the kids with a focus on play and fun, and their physical and emotional wellbeing,” said Hayley.
“And on top of all that we have a few big excursions planned this year with Snowplay at Mt Buller on the calendar and our Earth Kinder program is underway.
"The four- year-old groups go to the Mullum Wetlands for three hours each week to learn and explore in nature.
"Up2Us Landcare visit each term to provide children with in depth information about our local flora and fauna and in our last week of term one we got to use a camera to see some possums in the nesting boxes."
“There’s a lot happening, and I'm loving every moment of it,” said Hayley.
