Nesha O'Neil (Licensee)

BA (Psyc & Engl) MA (Psyc) MAPS, Diploma in Children's Services, PGC Couns. JP
Psychologist

Prior to entering the 'family business', Nesha worked as a Psychologist, Recruiter, Change Management Consultant, Project Manager and Corporate Trainer (amongst other things!). Nesha loves to learn, and is currently undertaking a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment - as well as a host of short courses and workshops, she strives to impart this love with her staff and all of our children.

Nesha also manages Top Ryde Early Learning , splitting her time between the two centres. She has two children, Dylan and Olivia, who attend the centre, and a very talented husband, Rick, who works in music production.

Ngaire Hutchinson (Licensee)

Ngaire Hutchinson is an owner/licensee of the centre, who has acted as managing director over the past few years. She is currently working in a Project Management role within the Finance Industry.

Ngaire holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce and is a Chartered Accountant. She has worked in Australia as well as spending several years working in Thailand and London in Strategy and Risk Management.

Rachel Khattab -  Director and Authorised Supervisor

Rachel has worked in child care for eight years and is one of the original staff members to start at Norwest when it opened in March 2003. She gained her Bachelor of Education from Macquarie University and graduated in 2004. Her time at Norwest has been spent in both the Ocean Room and Bush Room.

Rachel is a fantastic role model to other staff and has a wonderful relationship with parents. She spent many years working in McDonalds where she had extensive leadership training and has put that into practice since being at the centre.

 Ashley - incoming Director

Ashley has been with us at Norwest since January of 2005 and has been on   maternity leave for the last year. Ashley will be returning to work and will be stepping into the role of directing our great team. Both Lorna and Ashley will be in regularly over the next few months to continue the mammoth handover task. 

Ashley is enjoying transitioning back to work and is excited about her new responsibilities and challenges of the new role. Ashley is really looking forward to continuing to enrich the children’s lives and sharing as much of her knowledge with all the great teaching staff here at Norwest.

Ashley is married to Matt (one of our part time staff here at Norwest) and they have a 1 year old son named Adam. Ashley is currently studying her Bachelor of Education at Macquarie University, upgrading her Diploma in Children’s Services.

Sarah - Administration Manager

Sarah started her traineeship in July 2008 and now has Certificate III in Children's Services. Sarah loves watching the children learn more each day. Sarah has spent her time at the centre mostly in the Rainforest Room.

This year Sarah stepped into the role of Administration Manager and is enjoying the flexibility of still being able to spend time with the children in the rooms and fulfiling her administration duties.

Sarah was born in New Zealand, so when she is not working, she loves watching the All Blacks and playing with her dog.

Michele - Cook

Michele has worked at Norwest since 2004. She stared here working casually in each of the rooms and then moved to the role as centre chef in November 2004. She has since completed a number of different training courses including safe food handling and Anaphylaxis.

Michele would like to continue her training in childhood nutrition. Any spare time she has is spent with her husband, Simon, her two daughters Chloe and Emily and her sister Jayne.

Michele plans our wonderful menu and loves all the great feedback and ideas she receives form the children and their families. 

Lyn – Assistant for Dolphins

Lyn has worked in child care for over 8 years and is another one of the original Norwest staff. She has been in the Ocean Room and Rainforest Room since starting and has loved watching the children grow and develop and move on to other rooms.

Lyn has three children of her own, Yasmin, Simone and Joshua, and a wonderful husband, Craig.

Helen – Morning Assistant

Helen started working at Norwest Child Care Centre in October 2006 after many years experience working with children.

Helen normally only works in the mornings and is a familiar face for all the children at drop off time. Helen is always willing to come back or stay longer and work the extra hours when required.

Helen has had a number of different experiences with children, being involved with the Castle Hill Soccer Club for many years, as well as working at her local primary school and having two teenage boys herself.

Briana – Assistant for Dolphins

Briana has worked at the centre since April 2004 and came to us straight after finishing Year 12. She spent her first year at Norwest completing a traineeship and started her Diploma in 2006. Prior to working at the centre, Briana had a lot of experience with children via various babysitting jobs in her local area. She has worked in both the Ocean Room and Bush Room suring her time here at Norwest.

Briana loves to play softball, playing and coaching several teams. She also enjoys dancing, which she has studied for 15 years.

Louise – Currently on Maternity Leave 

Louise has worked in child care since 2003 and started at Norwest in July 2005. Prior to working at Norwest, Louise completed a traineeship in Children’s Services and has also completed her Diploma in Children’s Services. Louise has future plans of studying her Bachelor of Education at university. She loves her job because of the constant changes that occur, no two days are ever the same!

Louise loves to go on road trips with friends, going up to her family farm at Putty and of course, Shopping.

Louise is now enjoying some quality time with her fiance Paul and new baby girl Charlotte. Louise is looking at rejoining the team part time in October.

Amanda – Group Leader for Kangaroos

Amanda has a Diploma in Teaching and is currently studying her fourth year via correspondence. She started at the centre in July 2006 and works four days a week with the Kangaroos.

Amanda has many years experience in the industry and has had a variety of roles including Authorised Supervisor of a child care centre and supervisor of an After School Program.

Amanda has planned a fantasic school readiness program for our children who are off to school next year. The program is primarily play based aiming to reach the pre entry to school requirements as well as fulfilling the Early Years Learning Framework outcomes.

She loves music and enjoys playing a little piano. Amanda sings in a choir and loves to read, especially mysteries.

Monique - Group Leader for Joeys

Monqiue started with Norwest Child Care Centre in June 2008 she has completed her Certificate III in Children's Services, and recently launched into studying her Diploma in Children's Services. Monique has spent most of her time working with Amanda and the Kangaroos. She has recently jumped into the role of Group leader for the Joeys and is loving the responsibilities of programming and planning for her new group.

When she is not at work, Monique loves to swim, dance and spend time with family and friends.

Matt - Part time Assistant

Matthew joined our team in August 2008 and works casually. He works in the Bush Room and Rainforest Room when he is here, he also works at our other centre in Top Ryde .

Matt is currently studying his Bachelor of Education at the Australian College of Physical Education.  The children love having someone who loves sport and has so much energy. Matt is loooking forward to when he is qualified and can relay his passion for sport onto all our children as they progress to 'big school'.

Matt is married to Ashley, and they have a gorgeous son Adam.

Rebecca - Group Leader for Wallabies, and Bush Room Leader

After finishing high school and a Bachelor of Teaching (EC) Rebecca has worked as a room leader and has experience of working with children from diverse backgrounds accross the early childhood years (0-6).

In 2008 she want back to university to study Mater of Special Education by correspondance while also working. In the furture she would like to complete a certificate in Training and assessment.

Rebecca joined the team at Norwest in March 2009 and has worked in both the Bush and Rainforest Room.

Jessica  - Assistant Rainbow Fish

Jessie is currently studing her Certificate 3 in Children's Services while doing a traineeship at Norwest and would love to upgrade to the Diploma of Children's services in the future.  Jess decided she wanted to work in child care as she has always loved kids and thought working with a them and teaching them new things would be great.

Jessie is the assistent to the Rainbow Fish our youngest group, she loves working with the babies and kids in the Ocean Room.

Before working at Norwest she waitressed, worked in a beauty salon, a petting zoo and did local baby sitting.

Alison Fuller - Room Leader Rainforest Room

Ally started at Norwest in March 2005 at the age of 16 and completed her Certificate 3 in Children's Services as a trainee in the Ocean Room. Ally has recently started her Diploma and is due to complete it in may 2012. 

During her time with us Ally has worked with the Ocean and Rainforest Rooms as an assistant, then a Group leader and is now a Room leader of the Rainforest room.  

Ally has recently returned to work after being on maternity leave. She enjoyed her time off and spent quality time with her Daughter Amelia.

Taryn - Group Leader Dolphins

Taryn started working as a casual at Norwest in 2009 while she was undertaking practical experience at the centre. During this time Taryn gained experience in all three rooms. She has since completed her Diploma in Children's Services attained from Bedford College and is currently studying her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Macquarie University.

Taryn has had quite a few years experience with children, having babysat for family friends and her siblings as well as coaching netball to young children.

Taryn joined the team full time this year and is the Group Leader for the Dolphins. Taryn and her collegues in the Ocean Room work closely together in developing an invigorating, interest and play based program for the children in the 0-3's room.

Laura - Internal Relief

Laura started working with the Norwest team in June 2010. She used to work at school camps – with kids from 4 years to grandparents, leading a range of activities – abseiling, canoeing, rock climbing, ropes courses and lots of fun team building and learning.

She lives with her partner Matt – they have pigs, chickens, ducks and a dog! They’re in East Kurrajong, so it takes her around 45 mins to get here each day.

Laura has signed up to complete a Cert III in Children’s Services. Laura gets the great job of being internal relief allowing her to work with children of all ages throughout the centre.

Jessica - Assistant - Kangaroos

Jess began working for Norwest in August 2009. Jess is currently studying her Certificate lll in Children's Services while undergoing a traineeship.

Jess started as internal relief and now works very closely with Amanda and the Kangaroos group.

Jess lives with her family and boyfriend Steven and has a dog named “Lexie”. Jess has an older brother and a younger sister. Jess is fabulous at drawing and we hope she allows her skills to come out with the children.

Rebecca -  Part Time Assistant - Internal Relief

Rebecca is completing a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) at Macquarie University and works as a casual at Norwest Childcare Centre throughout the University semester.

She teaches Saxophone, plays piano and enjoys singing in local musical productions. She also leads the children section at her church.

Kylie Malone - Assistant - Dolphins

Kylie has worked in various Early Education settings since 1988 and started at Norwest in March 2010. Kylie is currently studying her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. Kylie has a husband and seven children aged from 6 – 20 years whom still live at home.
 
Kylie loves animals and has a  large collection of pets at her home. Kylie also enjoys folk art and decorative painting when she can find some spare time.

Frances Elms - Assistant - Rainforest Room

Frances has worked in childcare for seven years; four of those have been here at Norwest Child Care Centre. Frances has completed her Certificate III and is returning to work part time after three years maternity leave. Frances is married and has two boys, Jacob (3 years) and Zac (12 months). Frances enjoys camping, baking and spending time with her boys and husband.

Lauren - Bush Room- Wallabies Assistant

Lauren has been working for the Norwest team since April 2009 and has just finish her Certificate III in Childrens services. Lauren has three siblings and she is the oldest of the three children. Lauren loves to listen to music, going out with her friends especially when it’s a girl’s night. Lauren hopes to be a teacher one day and loves being able to teach children new skills and make a difference in their life.

Gail  - Assistant - Wallabies

Gail started working for Norwest Child Care Centre in November 2009. After many years working in administration and accounting she persued a course in Psychology and Philosophy graduating in 1998.

For the past 10 years Gail has been a full time carer and gained experience caring for autistic children. She started working in childcare in early 2009 as a special needs carer. Since starting at Norwest Gail has been in the Bush Room.

Lisa - Assistant - Rainforest Room

Lisa started her traineeship here in March 2010. She is currently stuyding her Certificate III in Childrens Services which she is enjoying as she is learning more and more about children and their development. Lisa studied her Certificate II at tafe while completing her HSC at Model Farms High. She worked at Mcdonalds for 2 1/2 years and gained excellent communication skills and is great working within a team.

Lisa enjoys being with the children as she is able to help and watch them learn. Lisa wants to study her Diploma once finshed her Certificate III.

Caitlin - Room Leader Ocean Room and Rainbow Fish Group Leader

Caitin joined Norwest team in April 2010, with three years previous experience with 0-2 year olds at other centres. Caitlin has her Diploma of children's services and has started her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

Caitlin has three older brothers but lives with her grandfather. When she isn’t at work she loves card games and spends time with her friends.

Caitlin is a fantastic leader and thoroughly enjoys working closely with infants and their families. Caitlin and the girls in the Ocean Room work together in developing a stimulating, interest and play based program for the children in the 0-3's room.

Fernanda - Group Leader - Butterflies

Fernanda is from Brazil in South America and moved to Australia with an initial plan stay for three months to learn English. Three years later Fernanda is still living in Australia and works at fulltime at Norwest Child Care Centre.

Fernanda studied an early childhood teaching degree in Brazil and her qualifications have been recognised by DOCS making her an Early Childhood Teacher. Since being here Fernanda also studied her Certificate III.

Her first language is Portuguese and her English is improving each and every day. Fernanda loves to spend time travelling with friends and dancing or watching movies.

Kathy - Special Needs Manager - STaR Association

Rachel - Part time Assistant - Internal Relief

Laura - Part time Assistant - Internal Relief