Our Philosophy
Our kindy community is warm, welcoming and inclusive where there is a strong sense of belonging for all. We place great importance on building relationships that are caring, open, collaborative, respectful and supportive.
We manage our kindergarten with an ongoing cycle of planning and review, engagement of parents and the community, creating a climate for continuous improvement whilst promoting a positive organisational culture.
We want our children to have a strong sense of identity. We are passionate about the importance and power of play and through play children will extend their understanding of language and engage with texts, symbols and numeracy concepts, discover and connect with and act responsibly in the natural and built environments.
Children will be encouraged to understand and recognise social injustice and fairness, embrace diversity using their own ways of expressing themselves that will be celebrated within the group.
Meet our Team Members
We have an incredible team of educators with years of knowledge and we are always keen
to learn about all the incredible people that make up our community.
Carly Waldock
Co-Director
Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Education
(Early Childhood)
Works: Monday, Tuesdays and alternate Wednesday
(Dolphin Group)
I started my kindergarten teaching career in 2012 and couldn’t imagine myself having any other occupation! I adore working with children and getting to know their unique traits and personalities. I am passionate about creating beautiful learning environments and play based experiences. I feel proud and honoured to be able to spend my days enriching the lives of children here at Burleigh Heads Community Kindergarten.
Suzette Ellison
Co-Director
Early Childhood Teacher
Master of Education Studies
Works: Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesday
(Turtle Group)
In 2019, I was invited to share my passion for storytelling, music, and yoga with the children at Burleigh Heads Kindy. I’m very grateful that my role has now been extended into Teacher of the Turtles, and Co-Director. After 30 years of teaching from Steiner to Private schools, it is the community model that I find the most rewarding, and the beautiful Burleigh Heads Community Kindy is very close to my heart.
Tracey Magee
Educator
Associate Diploma of Education
(Childcare)
Works: Monday, Tuesday
and alternate Wednesday
(Dolphin Group)
I began my journey at Burleigh Heads Kindergarten in January 2007 and I feel blessed and proud to be part of such a great community kindergarten. I began my journey working with young children at the Noosa Heads community Kindergarten in 1984. I have since worked In Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and I have lived on the Gold coast with my family since 1999.
Leanne Jones
Educator
Associate Diploma of Education
(Childcare)
Works: Thursday, Friday
and alternate Wednesday
(Dolphin Group)
I started working at our beautiful Burleigh Heads Kindy in 2010 and feel very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful kindy community. I worked for 12 years at Lady Gowrie in Brisbane before moving to the Gold Coast. I am a mum of two teenagers and I am very passionate about physical health and fitness.
Tracy Bass
Additional Needs Educator
Associate Diploma of Education
(Childcare)
Works: Across both groups
In 2011 I was fortunate enough to take up a short term position of Additional Needs Educator, and have been in a permanent role since 2018. Our role is to nurture and grow independent, individual and exceptional little souls. Every day I witness great teaching and meaningful learning, and it’s not always the children. Humour on all levels is my passion - and might I say, I work with the greatest natural comedians on the planet.
Angela Clark
Administration Officer
Bachelor of Arts
(Communication)
Works: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
I began working at the Kindergarten towards the end of 2016. My three children attended this beautiful Kindergarten, and each of those years I joined the Volunteer Management Committee in varying roles. I feel very fortunate to be working in such a community minded environment with the amazing educators and lovely families, making it a pleasure coming to work every day!
Kristina Dove
Administration Officer
Bachelor of Business
(Accounting Major)
Works: Wednesday
I commenced working at the Kindergarten at the beginning of 2018. I have worked in Administration for the past 23 years and I was asked to join the Kindy in a casual role - I jumped at the opportunity as I truly love to be around children and hearing them enjoying themselves as they learn and play. I have primary school age twin daughters who keep me busy. I love being part of the team at the Burleigh Heads Kindy!
TRACEY MAGEE
Educator
I began my journey at Burleigh Heads Kindergarten in January 2007 and I feel blessed to be part of such a great community kindergarten. I have been passionate about working with children since I was young and I began my
journey a long time ago working with young children at the Noosa Heads community Kindergarten in 1984.
I have since worked In Melbourne,
Sydney and Brisbane as an early childhood educator and I have lived on the Gold coast with my family since 1999. Both my daughters have now left school and are beginning their own working lives.
Burleigh Heads Kindergarten is a
very special place I am very proud to be
a part of.