Our Teachers

Maryanna Witt - Owner, Director

My name is Maryanna Witt, I first opened the Pitt Town Pre School in 1985. I built the centre because of my love for children and my desire to work closely with them to help ensure that they have the best possible start in life, hence our saying "Helping to build your children's future since 1985"

I am a firm believer that the foundation children receive, particularly in their first five years of life, are the basis of the rest of their lives.

I am a hands on director who is present at the centre (most of the time) and personally oversee the day to day running of the centre and look after children, families and the staff working with your children. I take great pride in providing the best possible service for families and am always on the look out for ways of improving our service for you.

When I am not at pre-school I really enjoy spending time with my family and lazing around at our beach house when time allows.

Daniella Kitchener, Authorised Supervisor, Assistant Director, Diploma in Children's Services, Maryanna's Daughter

HI, my name is Miss Daniella. I am in my late 20's and enjoy spending time with my family when I am not at school, though I am very lucky because I work with my family. Spare time is not really something I get a lot of but if I find some I like to do puzzles, read, be creative with paints and work with photo's for cards etc. I also spend a fair bit of time caring for my many frangipani plants, I love to research them and learn new ways of growing and cultivating them.

I am the daughter of Maryanna and Robert. When it comes to how long ive been working here, its debatable as I guess that I never really graduated from pre-school myself !

I have been working here ever since I was old enough to help out, as a child I would come home from school and assist as much as possible and as the years went on I was given more and more responsibilities. As a high school child I swore that I would never work with children as I had had enough of the environment that I grew up in. After completing year 12 I went on to makeup school were I attained certificate 4 in makeup artistry. However, I decided not to follow this as a career. After trying a few other things I ended up back in pre-school. With a fresh go and look at childcare I decided that I really did love pre-school after all.

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Johanna Mazanka, Office Administration, Maryanna's Mum

I came to join the family childcare centre to help out with the office work in about 1993. I like to be able to help my daughter out were ever I can. I really enjoy watching the children grow up in such a fantastic family atmosphere. Over the years I have participated in a lot of fun activities, including in & out of house entertainment and have gotten great pleasure out of it.

My personal hobbies include all sorts of craft. I spend a lot of time knitting, crocheting, sewing beautiful embroideries.

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Trudie McKay, Early Childhood University trained, Second Authorised Supervisor Assistant.

My name is Trudie, I joined the centre in 2004 and I am a Uni trained Early Childhood teacher.

I feel that these are some of the most important years of development for a child and they should be provided with a nurturing, learning environment that promotes laughter and fun. The thing I like most about working in childcare is that each day is different and often very eventful. I love the look on their faces when they learn something new or complete a task.

Besides my love for children and being a teacher, I also enjoy spending time doing sports and being with my friends and family.

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Jazmin White, Diploma in Children's Services

Hi my name is Miss Jaz, I joined the centre in 2002.

I have my diploma of children's services and I just love being around children as their energy and personalities are very refreshing and rewarding. I have mostly worked in the 2 -3 year room where I love it the most. I find this is the room where my teaching skills thrive and love to be a part of children's new found independence and watch children form their personalities which they will keep for the rest of their lives.

My partner and I had a beautiful baby girl in April 2009 which has been a very exciting tim efor us.

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Kellie Pearson, Certificate 3 in Children's Services, Studying to complete Diploma

Hi, I'm Miss Kellie, I joined the centre in 2003

I started as a trainee and completed my certificate 3 after my first year and am now studying for my diploma which the centre has sponsored as a traineeship as well. Hopefully I will be finished my diploma by March 2010.

I got into childcare because I have always loved children and wanted to be able to teach children new skills and also learn new teaching skills from the children. I love everything about working with children, from the cuddles to the tantrums, it's all worth the hard work.

I feel great watching the children grow from little babies to school age children and know that I contributed to their positive growth and development.

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Charmaine Clark, Certificate 3 in Childcare, Studying to complete Diploma

Hi, I'm Charmaine, I joined the centre in 2006 and I really enjoyed joining a great team and love working amongst such beautiful children.

I completed my Certificate 3 whilst working at the centre as a trainee and am currently under a new traineeship to attain my diploma. I am to complete my studies by March 2010.

I find childcare very rewarding and entered into it having always been drawn to children. The bonds that are formed with the children being cared for become so special and it is hard when children leave. I enjoy watching them grow up and take pride in the fact that when children master new things it's because I may have helped guide them along the way.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, I love the outdoor activities like the beach and BBQ's. And being a girly, girl I love to shop and have girls nights out dancing or at the movies.

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Kristy Wilbow, Certificate 3 in Childcare

Hi, I'm Miss Kristy, I joined the centre in 2004 and I started my Traineeship in May and completed it the following May. Over the years I have been lucky enough to enjoy caring for all age groups from the Turtles to Butterflies.

I have completed my Certificate 3 and would love to start my Diploma in the next year or so which will hopefully lead to UNI in the coming years.

I have always loved children, I come from a large family and really wanted to get involved with pre-schools and wouldn't want to be anywhere else than here.

Children make me laugh and smile in so many ways as they see every activity as fun and a wonderful experience.

I really like to get creative with scrap-booking, making birthday cakes and I also enjoy going away for weekends here and there to experience new places.

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Nadina Elias, Certificate 3 in Childcare

Hi, I'm Miss Nadina, I joined the centre in 2007.

When i started I was given the opportunity to commence a traineeship and study "Certificate 3" in Childrens services, which I have now completed. Throughout my course I was given many opportunities to extend my studying through seminars and being given lots of chances to have hands on practice. I really enjoyed studying this course and i'm looking forward to extending into my diploma in the future.

I come from a very big, close family and being one of the eldest i've always loved being able to look after and care for my younger siblings. So choosing a career in childcare was an easy decision to make. The reason why I love coming into work everyday is being able to see all the beautiful smiles from the kids and watching them all learn and grow. Being able to contribute to the development of the children is one of the most rewarding feelings and at the end of the day I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that a little help each day from myself helps the children take their next steps into their development and also into the future.

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Dan-yel Mott, Certificate 3 in Childrens Services

Hi, my name Miss Dan-yel, I joined the centre in 2008

The reason I got into childcare is i've always loved children as I grew up in a large family and have lots of practice helping to look after my siblings. It's the perfect environment for me to start my working career.

The things I most enjoy about working with children is watching them learn and grow everyday and definitely spending time with them playing games and laughing, its so much fun, I love it.

When I am not working I enjoy playing net ball, hanging out with my friends and family and generally enjoying life.

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Danielle Maitland, Certificate 3 in Childrens Services

Hi, i'm Miss Nel, I joined the centre in 2008. The reason I chose childcare was because I love being around children. I enjoy the fastpace nature of the childcare environment.

What I really enjoy most about childcare is that everyday isn't the same. The kids are so entertaining and they create such a happy and fun place to be. They put a smile on your face everyday.

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Shannon Mc Connell, Certificate 3 in Childrens Services

Hey, I volunteered up until January 2009, after which I was offered a traineeship.

I have always wanted to work in childcare ever since I was little. I love to see the children grow and watch them learn new things as well as helping them to become confident and have lots of fun at pre-school.

I love to play sports, make jewelry, cook and be creative.

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Hi, I'm Miss Debi, I have been cooking for the children at the centre since 2006 and i hold a certificate in Nutrition and Menu planning and a certificate in Safe Food Handling.

I always liked cooking, studied home economics throughout high school and it gives me great satisfaction coming and meeting the nutritional growth of my pre-school family.

I love all the children here with their big smiles that are always so welcoming. I'm very lucky, who doesn't love the person that feeds them yummy food.

So I am very happy when I can find recipes, old and new for the children to enjoy, its even better when a parent asks for a particular recipe. It gives me so much satisfaction to know the children are enjoying their food and eating well.

I am a mother of four children, my oldest is 23 and youngest 15. So in between driving everyone to sports or work or teaching them to drive, I enjoy quilting, making quilts, gardening and reading.

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Maryanna's husband Robert and Son Jeremy play a big part in the centre. We all enjoy working together and do what we can as a family to get the job done ! In the past Jeremy has even helped out assisting to care for children in the rooms for a few months.

They don't work in the Pre-school with the children(usually) but they do help out a lot behind the scenes. For example they shop for groceries for Debi in the kitchen and do lots of odd maintenance jobs.

Jeremy is a qualified musician and can help with musical experiences for the children when time permits.

Robert spends his spare time tending to his vegetable garden and chooks to make sure our cook has fresh eggs and vegetables.

Also we have the most wonderful handy man in the world, if you see a man around with a whippa snippa, that's Danny, say G'day, we'd be lost with out him ! Danny is here on Monday's and Wednesday's each week making sure that the children have a safe, neat and tidy playground to play in.