Our Team

Our Preschool is made up of a team of high-quality professional educators who are committed to and passionate about early childhood education and care.

We believe that all staff should develop professionally and we encourage this through the advancement of skills, experience and competencies which all contribute to the success of Canowindra Preschool.

We encourage students and trainees to help expand our community of educators.

  • Bronwin Lay

    Director

    Qualifications - Bachelor of Education

    About Me - I am currently enjoying being the Director of this beautiful preschool. I am privileged to be working alongside a dedicated talented teacher and educators who do their utmost to provide exceptional pre kindy education for the children of our community.

    Living within the community and working previously at the public school, I feel I have a good understanding of the educational requirements for the preschool children of Canowindra and surrounds. My four children attended this preschool and it has always been a bastion of exemplary education for children aged 3-5 years, and I am proud to be part of the current management.

  • Denise Fisher

    Early Childhood Teacher

    Baryugil [Bayugul] Room

    Qualifications: Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood

    About Me - I attended high school in Canowindra, and then returned after having my first child. I have worked in a number of local Preschools & Child Care centres, & also provided Family Day Care to the community for many years.

    I am now lucky enough to call Canowindra Preschool my place of work & fun. I am amazed everyday by the special relationships we build with our Preschoolers & their families, and the growing & learning that takes place on a daily basis. I love reading stories with the children, and their incredible pictures & drawings

  • Jackie Watson

    Room Leader - Garra [Garru] Room

    Qualification - Diploma in Early Childhood

    About me - I started my career in Early Childhood in 2000, I worked in Long Day care in the 0-3 years room for 7 years. Once we started our family, I started my own Family Day care service here in Canowindra. After 13.5 years of providing care from home, I went back to Long day care for a short time before applying for this role at Canowindra Preschool in April 2022.

    I love watching the children form friendships with peers and Educators as well as seeing the excitement on their faces when they have achieved something for the very first time.

  • Leanne Coady

    Qualification: Certificate 3 in Children’s Services

    About me: I have worked at our wonderful Preschool for the past 8 years. I started my working career in the travel industry working for an airline before the arrival of my 3 amazing children who are all Canowindra Preschool alumni. I loved it so much I came back after working various casual jobs in our community whilst they were in primary school. I love coming to work every day seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and working with some incredible people. I am constantly learning from the children, staff and our amazing families. It is such a joy and privilege to call Canowindra preschool my place of work.

  • Helen Garratt

    Early Childhood Educator

    Qualification: Certificate III in Children’s Services

    About me: I grew up in Melbourne and after attending university in America on a tennis scholarship and playing professional tennis in America and Europe I moved to Cowra in 1996 to start a tennis coaching business

    I currently work at the Canowindra pre school on Tuesdays. Although my full time job is a tennis coach I look forward to Tuesdays and teaching all the wonderful children tennis skills. I love seeing the children improve and grow in confidence each week.

  • Katie Kelly

    Early Childhood Educator

    Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and care. I have also recently completed Certificate III in commercial cookery

    About me: As a child I attended Canowindra preschool, my two children attended Canowindra preschool and now I am in my tenth year of working here! I treasure all of the beautiful connections that I have made at preschool.

  • Kelly Breen

    Administrative Assistant

    Qualification - Diploma in Children’s Services

    About me: I started working in Early Childhood in 2004. I worked in OSHC and Long Day Care for a few years then decided to have a career change just before starting a family. I worked for the Australian Tax Office for 7 years in Western Sydney before moving to Canowindra. Soon after we settled in Canowindra I started working for the Canowindra Phoenix working in accounts. When a position came available here at Canowindra Preschool in 2020, I was very fortunate to join the Preschool community.

    I thoroughly enjoy coming to work each day, having chats with the children when I arrive and on and off during the day is very uplifting and brings me happiness. I love that they like to share with you what they may be doing or things they are interested in. I’m also so lucky to be able to work with a great team of staff who are all friendly and work well together.

  • Danielle Nicka

    Early Childhood Educator

    Qualification - Certificate III in Children’s Services

    Sometimes a career change is a part of the working life journey. This is exactly what I did when in 2021 I decided to start my studies in Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care. Along with this I began working casually and in Outside School Hours Care for Canowindra Preschool.

    I feel very blessed to be a part of an encouraging, supportive, motivated and caring team which creates a positive workplace environment.

    I love watching the children grow and develop new skills, the special relationships we form, their quirky sayings, the giggles and their unique artworks.

  • Camille McKenzie

    Early Childhood Educator

    Qualification - Certificate III in Children’s Services

    About Me: When I was a child I attended this wonderful preschool and completed my certificate lll in early childhood education and care as a trainee, here. I loved the experience of being able to learn from the wonderful and talented Educators here.

    I’m now at the Preschool on a part time basis, and love my days here with these beautiful children. Getting to experience and help the children grow and learn through their time at the preschool is very special.

  • Celeste Gavin

    School Based Certificate III Trainee

    About me: I am currently in year 12 at Canowindra High School and doing a cert 3 in early childhood education and care.

    I work at the Canowindra Pre School on Thursdays. I look forward to hearing about the children's weekends and what they did while I wasn’t there. I enjoy seeing the children develop new skills and make new friendships.

  • Melissa Maloney

    Cleaner

  • Clare Gorton

    I'm currently a year 11 student at Red Bend Catholic College in Forbes and will be studying a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care as a trainee at Canowindra Preschool. I'm lucky enough to work every Wednesday.

    I look forward to working with and joining in with the children in their activities and games. I hope to make the children's days the best they can be.

    I am eager to learn new skills from the wonderful teachers and educators at the preschool.