Jackie Raine
4 Year Old Teacher and Centre Director

Jackie joined the team at Donvale Preschool in 2008 as the Centre Director and 4 year old kinder teacher. Prior to this Jackie was a teacher at a preschool in the Dandenong Ranges, where she developed an appreciation for connecting to nature, nature play and bush kinder.

Since completing her teaching degree Jackie has completed post graduate studies in early childhood education and educational psychology. She has also undertaken specialist training to assist working with and supporting families and their children with additional needs. As a mother of four children, some with disability, she understands the barriers and challenges these families and children can face.

Jackie has been teaching for over 25 years and has a passion for working with children with challenging behaviours and additional needs. She feels very passionate about the children and families she works with and strives to work collaboratively with them throughout the year.

Clare Gooding
3 Year Old Teacher

After a short absence, Clare rejoined Donvale Preschool in 2023. She graduated in 2009 from Monash University and for over ten years has taught both three and four year old kinder groups within the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. Clare currently teaches the children our combined 3 and 4 year old kinder program (Wallaby group). She has an amazing talent for creating engaging and creative play spaces that inspire learning.

Clare is passionate about outdoor learning and bush kindergarten and incorporating nature play into everyday activities.

Darcy Tucker

Educator for the Wallaby group and Lunch Cover in Bilby Group

Darcy joined Donvale Preschool in 2023 as one of our Diploma Trained Educators. Darcy works across all groups at Donvale Preschool, both in the Wallaby group as one of our main educators and in the Bilby group as our lunch cover educator.

Darcy comes with a wealth of experience after working in the child care sector and has just completed his degree to become a kindergarten teacher.

Darcy is passionate about supporting the development of children in his care and providing them with a healthy, safe, and welcoming environment which inspire them to learn and grow.

Bernadette Thomas
Educator to the Bilby Group (4 -5 Year old program)

Bernadette joined Donvale Preschool in 2019, as a Diploma Trained Educator within our 4 year old program. Bernadette has a passion for the natural environment and gardening which she loves to share with the children. She is also amazing in the kitchen and often spends time cooking with the children in class.

Anne-Marie Anderson
Educator to the Wallaby and Bilby Groups

Anne-Marie joined Donvale Preschool in 2015. Anne-Marie has enjoyed working as a Kindergarten Assistant at a variety of kindergartens, including a position as an Inclusions Aid for hearing impaired children. Anne-Marie has completed her Certificate III in Children's Services and Diploma in Children’s Services.

Anne-Marie loves working with children, sharing their special moments at kinder, while helping them feel safe and secure, as they explore and learn all the wonderful things there are, about being 4 years old.

Anne-Maire has a lovely rapport with the children and families each year and has a gift in working one on one with the children.

In addition to their qualifications, all educators on site currently hold:
– Level 2 First Aid
– Asthma Training
– Anaphylaxis Training
– Fire Safety Training
– Child Protection / Safety Training