About Us
At Jack and Jill Kindergarten the focus is on play-based learning. Our learning program caters to your child’s individual needs and offers equipment and activities that are tailored to your child’s stage of development.
Kindergarten will help your child become more aware of the world around them. It helps promote language development and social skills as well as intellectual, physical and emotional skills. Jack and Jill Kindergarten provides an opportunity for your child to develop a strong sense of self in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Kindergarten is supported and run by a dedicated parent committee. We work in conjunction with Bayside Council.
Our Dedicated Team of Early Childhood Educators
D'Arne Finnis
Senior Group Teacher
Director and Nominated Supervisor
D’Arne has been involved in the Early Childhood Education sector for over 25 years having taught at a variety of settings across Melbourne. She has been the Director of several Independent Early Learning Centres throughout her career but has always had an affinity for community kindergarten and the wonderful community that it provides children and their families. D’Arne has a passion for neuro-motor development being the connection of a child’s physical development to their cognitive development and has studied this area of development extensively. She is the mother to 3 children and is a fellow Bayside resident who loves swims in the bay, walks on the beach tracks and catch ups with friends at the local cafes.
Suzy Williams
Senior Group Educator and Bush Kinder Lead
I believe that children learn through all experiences, and that I believe each child has a unique way of communicating, original imagination and natural curiosity. My intention is that each child’s potential is nurtured and cultivated through reflective practice and inquiry. I believe children learn in many different ways. My aim is to create an atmosphere that is richly infused with learning opportunities, exploration and encouragement. My intention is to cultivate authentic, collaborative connections between children, families, educators and our community.
Lisa Ward
Senior & Junior Group Educator
The early education of each child is an important and special time. It’s a time that they can learn important skills in a place where they feel safe, confident and supported. I believe children learn best when they are able to freely explore and experience the world around them. Children who feel safe and supported can truly be at their best. I feel a great sense of privilege to be a part of this amazing time for children and their families.
Chelsey Tregear
Junior Group Educator
Chelsey is excited to be joining Jack and Jill Kindergarten as the Junior Group teacher in 2026. She holds a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) and has worked in early childhood education for the past five years. Chelsey is passionate about connecting children with nature and creating opportunities for them to explore, question, and discover the world around them through play. She values building strong, caring relationships with children, families, and colleagues, and enjoys being part of a supportive and collaborative team. Outside of kinder, Chelsey loves spending time outdoors with her family, watching her children play sports, and running along the Bayside beach trails.
Aleisha Rees
Junior Group Educator
Aleisha joined the kindergarten with over 20 years of experience working with young children in a range of Early Childhood settings. She vies this stage of life as deeply formative and feels privileged to play a role in supporting each child’s growth. Aleisha believes children learn best through play, exploration and moments of shared curiosity, and that laughter, calmness and a connection to the natural world all have an important place in the learning environment. Her practice is grounded in warmth, respect and a calm presence, with a focus on helping each child feel seen, safe and confident to express themselves. Aleisha values building strong relationships with families and working in partnership to support each child’s individual learning journey
Sarah Moore
Senior Group Educator
Sarah joined Jack and Jill Kindergarten in 2025. She is originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire in the UK and now resides in beautiful Beaumaris. She lives with her husband and three children, and when she is not working, her happy place is in the pool or on an exercise bike. She arrived in Australia almost 8 years ago and had a previous career as a forensic scientist. She hopes to be able to contribute to the happiness and educational opportunities in all children’s lives that come through the Jack and Jill Kindergarten.
Andrea Cummins
Educational Leader
Andrea has over 25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher, Director, and Specialist Inclusion Support Facilitator. For the past 5 years she has worked as a consultant providing professional learning and parent education sessions throughout Australia. Andrea has been the Director of a Kindergarten for 21 years, founding a Bush Kinder program and is passionate about outdoor play and inclusion support. Andrea has a Diploma in Teaching Early Childhood from Melbourne University majoring in Special Needs. She mentors and provides Pedagogical Leadership to our educators and supports the development of a rich learning environment and program.
Fiona Finch
Staff Mentor
Fiona has been at Jack and Jill since 2008. She is drawn to teaching by powerful memories of her own happy childhood as a precious, priceless time for curiosity, unhurried exploration and imagination, and a desire to create a space where children can create their own rich memories. She loves working here because the beautiful large garden space presents ever evolving opportunities to learn from and in nature and because her colleagues are so passionate, kind and fun! As a local, she loves the strong sense of community in Beaumaris. Fiona believes that all children deserve to work with authentic adults who validate their emotions and keep them safe, who recognise and value children as individuals and who are skilled in fostering the social skills that enable children to engage meaningfully with others.
Byana Balducci
Lunch Cover / CRT
I have been a dedicated, adaptable, and experienced Kindergarten Teacher with 20+ years in the early childhood education sector, including expertise in curriculum design and inclusive learning environment creation. Equipped with strong communication, organisational, and empathetic skills to foster a holistic and supportive educational atmosphere. I am motivated to contribute to Jack and Jill’s ongoing development in supporting a successful educational curriculum that is rich in possibilities, teaches respect for our natural world, embraces diverse cultural backgrounds and promotes inclusive learning opportunities.
Teaching young children basic culinary skills, nutrition awareness, food science and creativity in the kitchen is what I am most passionate about. I consistently marvel at the children’s innate creative natures and at their sense of wonder, curiosity and amazement of the world around them.
Baking is personally my favourite way to unwind and relax after a busy week. I thoroughly enjoy the process of taking a few raw ingredients and igniting my creativity to bake and share with family and friends. I also enjoy long distance running as it helps to support my mental clarity, focus and resilience.
