ISABEL HENDERSON KINDERGARTEN
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MEET THE TEAM
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Lisa - Educational Leader
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I've been part of the IHK community since January 2015, beginning my journey as a Teacher before stepping into the role of Educational Leader and when needed as Interim Director. I bring experience from both early childhood education and care (ECEC) and social work, supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds and hold a Bachelor of Education.
In my current role as Educational Leader, I work closely with teachers and children to enhance pedagogy and practice, drive continuous improvement, and ensure the delivery of high-quality programs. I'm passionate about child development, with a particular interest in brain development and how it informs early learning.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, caring for my animals, growing plants, reading, and travelling. I feel privileged to be part of such a dedicated and supportive team at IHK—professionals who are deeply committed to delivering an exceptional curriculum. One of my favourite aspects of working at IHK is witnessing children grow, play, and explore in our beautiful garden space, experiencing the rhythms of the 7 Kulin seasons and building meaningful connections with the natural world

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Carol - Administrator
​​I started at IHK in September 2022 and can be found in the office area. I have many years of administration experience, and history in childcare centres as I hold a Certificate 3 in Children's Services. I live with my husband and have two adult girls, who have now started their own paths in life, however we do spend a lot of time together. I am a very proud grandmother to my lovely grandson, Archer. I have two faithful golden retrievers who believe that I live with them, not the other way around. I love all types of craftwork, especially knitting, crocheting and cross stitches. I can usually be found with a book in my hand also, if I have any free time. Another hobby of mine is golf, however I do not seem to get any better.

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​Margaret - Teacher
I’ve worked as a teacher at Isabel Henderson for eight years and hold a Bachelor of Education.
I have varied experience in Early Childhood over the last thirty years both in Australia and England where I was born. I have two grown up children, a son living in Sydney and a daughter who lives here in Melbourne. My hobbies are crafts, knitting and crocheting and I also enjoy singing in a soul choir.
​I love being part of an enthusiastic and friendly team at IHK and enjoy developing relationships with the children and families.

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Georgie - Teacher
​I have been teaching at Isabel Henderson Kindergarten since 2017. I am originally from Tasmania, and I try to get back there as much as possible! When I moved to Melbourne in 2009, I studied Textile Design at RMIT and then I later did my Masters of Teaching at the University of Melbourne.
I love spending time outside, and most of my weekends are spent walking along the Merri Creek or checking on the bats near the Birrarung. Otherwise, I am cooking elaborate dinners for myself or rearranging my indoor plants. One of my favourite things about working at IHK is getting to know the families in our amazing community. Since working here, I have been lucky enough to see many families return to the kinder and it’s been great to see siblings come and visit and hear about their adventures at school. I remember my own kindergarten teachers and I hope that we have a positive and meaningful impact on the children we teach. I have always lived locally, and I enjoy the strong sense of community IHK and North Fitzroy has, which I think has been especially important over the past few years.
I feel so lucky to be part of a team that cares for and supports each other. I am particularly proud of the inquiry projects I have been part of, including the magical world of under the Melting Tree and trying to communicate with the Lava Monsters. I find the children’s ability to merge scientific concepts with the imaginary surprising and very inspiring.  I feel very grateful to be able to come to a workplace each day that is safe, welcoming, and most importantly, fun!

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​Kent - Teacher
​Kia Ora (Hello), I’m originally from Whangarei, Aotearoa (New Zealand). My interest in becoming an early childhood teacher was ignited from my time working at Te Papa Tongarewa (the National Museum of New Zealand), in Wellington, and Museum Victoria in Melbourne.  At Melbourne Museum I ran outreach programs with a van full of dinosaur fossil casts, live bugs, and taxidermy Australian animals. I presented programs in Early Childhood Centres, kindergartens, and aged care facilities around Melbourne and regional Victoria. I have completed a Diploma of Performing Arts in Invercargill, then a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Theatre in Wellington, and more recently a Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) in Auckland.
I’ve been teaching since 2017 and have worked at IHK since 2019. I find this environment so special for children to learn in.  As teachers and educators, it enables us to have flexibility in how we run a program and with such an established and large garden it offers so many possibilities as to where the children’s interests are going to land.  The IHK team is one which is always discussing and reflecting.  As teachers we never stop learning and developing our practice, and this space and these teams help enormously in being able to do just that. I live west of Melbourne with my partner Charlie. In my personal time I enjoy gardening, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends.

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​Bianca - Teacher
​I was born in the Netherlands but spent most of my childhood in Southeast Asia, living in both Cambodia and Laos.  I have fond memories of riding in a cyclo with my mum and sister, playing with friends from the International School and going for family day trips to the waterfalls.  My family and I moved to Australia in 2005, and I completed my high schooling in on the Central Coast, NSW. 
I have lived in Canberra for ten years, initially moving there to do a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Anthropology at the Australian National University.  To support myself whilst studying, I began work as an assistant educator and quickly fell in love with the creative and invigorating environment of an early years setting.  My partner and I moved to Melbourne in 2019 so that I could undertake a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and the University of Melbourne.
As a new teacher I consider myself fortunate to have found a position at IHK, teaching alongside a team of dedicated educators who have made me feel supported and welcomed into the community.  This year I have loved tuning into the Pelican children’s thinking, seeing how they’ve grappled with complex ideas, such as the infinite magnitude of outer space and the power of water.  I’ve enjoyed how the children’s thinking has challenged my own and stimulated some great pedagogical conversations with my new colleagues.  

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​Tracy - Teacher
​​I started working at IHK in February 2023 and fell in love with this place immediately. As teachers, IHK enables us to be advocates for the importance of play-based learning and is dedicated to developing enriching, nature-based, play environments, which encourage each individual child to govern and be active participants in their own learning and development. 
I arrived in Melbourne in 2019 to do my Master of Early Childhood Teaching at the University of Melbourne. Prior to that, I completed my Bachelor of Arts in the University of Hong Kong with a dual major in Japanese Studies and Art History. I also hold an MA in Asian Studies from UCLA.
Outside of work, you can find me covering K-pop dances, sometimes publicly. My other interests include JDM cars and musical theatres. 

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​Sophie - Teacher
​I am a kindergarten teacher who has been teaching for 30 years, in a variety of early childhood settings.
I have training in Montessori and Steiner philosophies of education, and hold a Bachelor of Education. I love applying these eclectically to engage and enrich individual children’s learning. I believe that my passion drives my enthusiasm, to advocate for children’s developmental needs and rights. Investing in high standards and deliberate and meaningful interactions with children will enable them to grow into well-functioning members of society. In my time away from work I love gardening, cooking, nature walks along the coast, weight training and the company of family and friends. I have 3 wonderful girls and live locally.

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​Hannah - Teacher 
I began my career in the Early Childhood industry in 2020 and joined IHK in 2023 as a casual Early Childhood Teacher, currently covering a maternity leave position. Prior to this, I completed a Bachelor's degree in Finance in China and worked in Business Control for BMW in Shenyang. My passion for working with young children began during my university years when I worked as a casual coordinator for a holiday camp. This inspired me to pursue further studies, leading to a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood from the University of Melbourne in 2019.
I have a strong personal interest in attachment theory and its significant impact on both childhood and adulthood experiences. I am also a passionate advocate for children's rights and strive to work collaboratively with colleagues and families to provide a safe environment where children can explore their creative ideas and develop their emerging skills. One of the aspects I love most about working at IHK is engaging with children in our nature-based environment. This setting offers numerous opportunities to observe the surrounding wildlife and incorporate natural materials into our activities, making our play both enjoyable and unique. Outside of work, I am passionate about Kyudo (Japanese archery) and often spend my weekends practising this or spending time in bush which allows me to connect with nature!

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​Linh - Teacher
​I’ve been part of the Isabel Henderson Kindergarten community since August 2010. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, I moved to Melbourne in 2007 to start my family. I hold a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics in Vietnam, and have recently completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching here in Melbourne.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be working at IHK, where nature-based learning is at the heart of our approach. I believe that time spent in nature plays a vital role in children’s holistic development—not only supporting their physical health but also fostering emotional wellbeing, creativity, problem-solving, and a deepening respect for the environment. These experiences help children build meaningful connections with the land and promote a sense of curiosity about the world.
When I’m not at IHK, I teach hand-building pottery classes, most recently at a studio in Collingwood. I’m particularly interested in working with wild clay and experimenting with natural materials to create unique textures. You might even find me and the children smashing rocks or clay-rich soil together as part of our shared inquiry into the properties of materials.
I live with my husband, our three boys, and Chewy, our much-loved dog. I also enjoy gardening, cooking, and photography in my spare time

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Jessa - Educator
​I began working at IHK in 2022, I have over 9 years of experience working with children of all ages in many different roles and have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I grew up in a remote area of regional Victoria on a small hobby farm with Errinundra National Park as my backyard. In winter we were blanketed in snow, and in summer the smell of bush fires was very familiar. My Mum is an artist and my Dad is a builder, between them they had all the creative outlets covered with endless resources for creating and tinkering.
I feel so lucky to be able to live in the city and still work somewhere that feels like home, allowing me to share all the knowledge I have gained through my unique experiences and support children to feel similar connections to the land.

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Ildiko - Educator
My main passions are for art and all forms of creative expressions. I love nature, creating and respecting the environment and every person and creature in it. I am a gold and silversmith as well as an artist.
I have studied and worked in Melbourne and Germany and hold a certificate 3 in children's services. I have a daughter who is now 22 years old. When she started school, I began my journey as a kindergarten educator. This has now evolved into another passion, which is teaching and learning. Working at IHK has been an amazing experience with an amazing team and we continue to be drawn together as a community. We value every child’s uniqueness through their connection with nature.

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 ​Katherine - Educator
I began working at IHK in 2020 in an inclusion support role and have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I have really enjoying working with an amazing team of educators that all have unique and diverse talents and in this wonderful natural environment. I have worked in early childhood education for the past 27 years and have seen many changes, being actively involved in developing and implementing quality improvement plans for rating and assessments.
Prior to starting work at IHK I had been in a coordinating role in a long day care setting, managing a team of 20 staff and working with families and children from ages 6mths to 5yrs. I have been involved in assessment for learning research projects, leadership, and coaching programs. I have a passion for supporting inclusive practice for families and children, advocating for the rights of the child and for their voice to be heard and believing families are always the first educator for their child. I also love children’s literature, having an extensive library at home even though my daughter is 20 years old and has moved out of home with friends this year. I live with my partner, Justin, and am a carer for my father who also lives with us and our two cats. I look forward to getting to know you all better through your time at IHK.

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Jenny - Educator
Hello! My name is Jenny and I am friendly, enthusiastic and motivated with a genuine passion for working with young children. I believe that the early years are a magical time of discovery and growth, where every moment is a new opportunity to learn and explore. I have always been fascinated by the wonders and curiosities that young children bring to the world. Their boundless energy, inquisitive nature, and unique perspectives inspire me daily.  
I have been working in primary education for 5 years and will now officially begin my early childhood teaching journey at Isabel Henderson Kindergarten. I have been working as an education support for the past years, particularly working closely with children with diverse needs. I have recently completed a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five) and strongly believe in fostering creativity, curiosity, and confidence in young children through creating safe and inclusive learning environments to thrive.  
During my personal time, I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family, especially being able to embrace the variation of cultures through food adventures. I also have an interest in visual arts, music as well as travelling and camping.

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Hi! I'm Genevieve and I'm new to working in childcare. My background is in hospitality,when I realised how much I loved spending time with children and being told how good I was with them, I decided to make a career change and I started working in a small childcare centre in the rural town of Timboon In July 2024.
I have a fun,patient and nurturing approach and I'm dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for children.
I'm really looking forward to everything I will learn here, being challenged in my new role and becoming a better educator.
In my spare time, I play and coach roller derby, a sport I've been involved in for 14 years. I enjoy op shopping and filling my flat up with anything mid-century inspired, reading and spending time with my cat, Desmond.


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 Ezgi - Casual Educator

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​Margaret - Casual Educator
Hi! My name is Margaret, and I am an enthusiastic and caring educator with strong cultural awareness, and a commitment to supporting children’s learning and wellbeing.
I did my student placement with the Pelican group and now have become a causal educator. I’m working towards my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at RMIT University with graduation anticipated by the end of 2025. My way of creating inclusive, engaging environments for young children came from relevant experiences, such as volunteer work and formal placements. I also bring a science and engineering background as I completed my Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Data Science, at the University of Melbourne.
In my spare time I like to dance with groups of friends with different cultural backgrounds, I really enjoy moving my body to music. Another thing is my love for nature and animals, which connects well with early childhood education as children are naturally curious about the world around them. I like to bring that passion for nature in designing play-based learning experiences for children.

Address: 259 Rae St, North Fitzroy,
​3068 VIC, Australia   
Opening Hours: M-F 8am - 6pm
  
Office hours: M-F 9am - 4pm   
​Ph: 03 9481 6152
​ABN: 50 229 098 359


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We are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of this land.

Logo by Amelia Goss.
Photography by Sam Dinning.
With many thanks.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Child Safety Statement
    • Sustainability & RAP
    • Meet The Team
    • Committee of Management
  • Programs
    • 3 Year Old
    • 4 Year Old
    • Holiday Program
  • Resources
    • Policies
    • Improvement Projects
    • Community Events
    • Kinder Blog
    • Community Resources
    • Calendar
  • Enrolments
    • Enrolment Information
    • Waiting List Application
    • Book A Tour
  • Contact