Our Staff
Tash Croft (Director)
I am honoured to be the Director of Cooks Hill Preschool since 2013, and I love the opportunity to work with children, their families and other passionate educators. Throughout my career in Early Childhood Education I have spent several years working in Long Day Care before running my own Family Day Care business. During this time I gained my Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) as I wanted to continue learning through current research. I strongly believe that collaborating with families is an essential foundation for creating an environment that is inviting, respectful and builds meaningful connections. I actively promote a message of respect and love, and I find it very rewarding to watch the children grow, learn and explore throughout their two year preschool period.
Jenny O'Sullivan (Educational Leader)
I have been an educator at Cooks Hill for 10 years. I started as a volunteer and was inspired to study a Certificate III and then Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE. I enjoy working with an inspiring team and watching the children's amazing journeys from 3 to 5 year old. I believe that educators play a vital role in a child's development by working collaboratively to foster their learning and social/emotional well-being. I see children as competent, capable learners and I enjoy being a co-researcher by exploring science experiments and sourcing information to support inquiry. I relax with yoga and meditation, and like to share mindfulness techniques and yoga movement with the preschoolers as I believe these skills help the children to self regulate and promote body awareness.
My name is Nina Graham and I am an Educator at Cooks Hill Preschool. After deliberating between a Fine Arts Degree and a Nursing Degree, and growing up in a big extended family, I came to the decision to start something that almost combines the three. It seemed like a natural progression for me to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. In March 2015, I enrolled in TAFE to start a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. During my course, I picked up a weekly shift at Cooks Hill Preschool, which rapidly developed my knowledge and experience by working with children, whilst studying. Upon finishing in June 2016, I was lucky enough to accept an offer of full time work for the upcoming year (2017). Since 2017, I have continued my work as a full time Educator in Early Childhood, here at Cooks Hill Preschool.
Lucy Flook (Educator)
My name is Lucy Flook, I have just recently completed my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education in 2017 at Elder Street Early Childcare Centre. One of the core reasons I joined this industry was to have the pleasure of guiding little minds into the next stage of development with confidence in themselves and an excitement for continued learning. I believe a safe, fun positive approach in an educational environment is significant as it becomes more meaningful for the child’s learning. I also believe that a child’s independence and self-confidence is remarkably boosted when they are given choices, responsibilities and opportunities within their learning. The first thing that comes to my mind when people ask me why I love my job is the families I meet on the way and the strong relationships that I develop with them! Please come up and say hi and I can’t wait to get to know you all this year.
My name is Zali Lawson. After completing my qualification in Fitness in 2021 and deciding my next step to take, in March 2022 I was given the lucky opportunity to study my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care full time, beside this inspiring team of educators. I value watching the children learn through all types of play and have had the pleasure to learn from it myself.