We are pleased to introduce Wyndham Vale Tarneit YMCA Early Learning Centre’s Centre Manager: Fiona Kennett.
How long have you been working in early learning education and how long have you worked with the Y?
I have been working for the Y for the past 2 years as Centre Manager at our Truganina South centre. Prior to this, I have worked for many years at a children’s charity focusing on education in a leadership and development role.
My background is working in the educational field, including Kindergarten teaching and working with schools and universities to facilitate leadership and educational programs with their students.
What do you bring to this role?
Strong leadership and management expertise, with a genuine interest and passion for early years education.
We will entrench ourselves in the community through exploration and forging partnerships with organisations that service the area. Our children will go on regular walks around the community and participate in initiatives and excursions.
What do you find fulfilling about early learning education?
I strongly believe that early learning experiences for children are invaluable and necessary for later life success.
Collaborating with families to create a welcoming and happy environment for children to learn, grow and thrive. I encourage families to share ideas, give feedback and get involved through volunteering and/or participation in our events.
What are you most excited about in your role as centre manager?
Welcoming new families and children and getting to know everyone!
Building a team of amazing and innovative educators. Developing our Wyndham Vale centre into a state-of –the- art, high quality education and care service.
What are 5 words your friends would use to describe you:
Honest, passionate, professional, approachable, happy.
What do you think will make Wyndham Vale YMCA Early Learning Centre unique?
Amongst others will be a curriculum focusing on school readiness and developing our future leaders who will be adventurous and resilient. Mindfulness will be a daily inclusion in the program as well as understanding and respecting our first peoples.
eWater Systems: which generates simple, sustainable and highly effective alternatives to harmful packaged chemical cleaners and sanitisers. This will be used in our kitchen to wash food and sanitize benches, and also for daily cleaning of our resources and centre.
What will you be looking for when hiring your team?
An understanding of childhood development; how to plan an innovative program that caters to individual interests and the ability to identify intentional teaching moments that help children meet developmental milestones.
Great communicators; being able to break complex subjects into easily digestible pieces and be able offer details about learning progress to parents so they are aware of their child’s progression and achievement level.
Key traits of patience, enthusiasm, creativity, and embracing cultural and learning diversity.
Our Careers page has more information on the recruitment process.
What do you enjoy doing most on the weekends?
Music, rugby union, reading, art, socialising, outdoors and spending time with my amazing family.
Fiona invites your family to visit our Tarneit centre for a guided tour. A member of our team will welcome you, answer your questions, and guide you through our indoor and outdoor spaces.