Canowindra Preschool has begun 2015 with new Director, Liz Frances. Liz, originally from Orange, has 18 years of teaching experience under her belt including directing preschools, co-ordinating family day care schemes and most recently teaching transition from kindergarten through to primary. She has worked in Orange, Parkes and Manildra but this is her first venture into Canowindra. “This community has been wonderfully accommodating and the preschool has very considerate staff” says Liz, “it’s lovely to be able to walk in and get straight to work.”
As a mother of three kids, one of which began his first day at Canowindra Preschool this week, Liz feels it’s important to provide a home-like learning environment with qualified staff. “We want children to learn at their own individual stages of development. The curriculum is play based allowing for opportunities to explore skills that will assist them in independent learning” she said.
Along with Liz are two other new members of the team of staff, Tracey Cramp and Katie Kelly. Tracey has 20 years of educational experience including working in Sydney and 17 years at Courallie Park Child Development Centre and is looking forward to working within her own community. “My focus is to allow children to be creative thinkers. I want them to feel nurtured and that their individuality is being embraced. I think it’s also important to develop links between the schools and us to ensure were all working together to create a smooth transition.”
Katie is a Canowindra local and was a teacher aid at St. Eddies. She is now beginning a year’s training at the preschool and is looking forward to becoming an educator, “It’s only my first week but it’s lovely. I came here as a child, my children came here and now I work here so it feels like a full circle!” she said.
By Rhi Quinn