Staff
``Staff are readily available to talk to. They know my child well and are on top of any issue that may arise. We have always felt welcomed and my daughter has loved every minute.``
Mudgee Community Preschool delivers such a high quality program because we have more, and better qualified staff than regulations require (each class is staffed by a University trained teacher and two TAFE trained educators), and also because we ensure that time is set aside for professional development, collaboration, planning and reflection.
With a combined 300 years of experience at Mudgee Preschool, our 23 staff are dedicated and loyal. They are employed for their qualifications and experience, but also their temperament and personality, to help create a warm and inviting learning environment.

DIRECTOR
Rosie Gibbs
The Director:
- is the Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader of Mudgee Preschool with specific responsibilities to ensure compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- reports to the Board of Management
- is in a non-teaching, full-time leadership and management position responsible for delivering the educational program in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework and ensuring appropriate supervision, support and guidance is available to all staff
- is responsible for the safety and supervision of the children
- works in partnership with the staff, Board and families to achieve the Preschool’s mission and vision to provide an excellent educational and care program
ABOUT ROSIE
Rosie has been working at Mudgee Preschool for nearly 30 years, 10 of those as Director. Her two daughters, born in Mudgee, also attended Mudgee Preschool. Rosie grew up and started her teaching career in South Africa during the apartheid era and this has led to her commitment to social justice issues.
Other than her interest in early childhood matters, Rosie enjoys long distance jogging, gardening and travelling to see her family who live in England and South Africa.
(Bachelor of Arts, Higher Diploma in Pre-Primary Education, Master of Early Childhood Education, Advanced Diploma in Community Sector Management)
EDUCATIONAL LEADER
Kate Brakel (Kate is currently on leave until 2024)
The Educational Leader leads and collaborates with the teachers and educators from both services to ensure the effective development, implementation and evaluation of a quality early childhood program:
Kate started her teaching career at Mudgee Preschool and has been with us for over 15 years.
Kate has a special interest in trauma informed practice and an emotion coaching approach to early childhood education. She is passionate about providing learning environments that support connection, belonging, well-being, agency and inspires compassion, curiosity and resilience in children.
Kate is currently on leave from Preschool.
(Bachelor of Teaching, Early Childhood)
OFFICE MANAGER
KIM JEFFERY
The Administration Officer:
- is based at the Lovejoy Street campus.
- works with the Director to deal with administration and financial matters eg. the collection of fees, paying accounts, wages and budget preparation.
- coordinates registrations and enrolments throughout the year.
CLASSROOM STAFF
The required staff to child ratio is one adult per ten children. At Mudgee Preschool the staff to child ratio is 3 adults per twenty children, 50% over the regulation requirements.
The additional educators are employed to support the inclusion and participation of all children.
Our staff enjoy being able to catch up with parents and carers so that we can share information about each child. The class teacher or one of the educators are always available to families and carers at drop off from 8.00 or pick up before 3.30 or at any other time by arrangement. Appointments should be made if there are matters of a confidential nature to be discussed.
TEACHERS
The Teachers:
- lead the team of educators in each class of 20 children
- all have university qualifications in early childhood education
- are responsible for the educational curriculum and program for the children in the class
- work closely with the other educators as well as the families of the children to develop, implement and evaluate the program
EDUCATORS
The Educators:
- each class is supported by an Educator and an Inclusion Support Educator.
- all educators have a TAFE qualification in Children’s Services (Cert III or Diploma)