Our Teaching Team

Our experienced teaching team is at the heart of Chapel Hill Community Kindy.

Many of our teachers and educators have been part of the Kindy community for many years, some first as parents and later as members of the teaching team. This long-standing connection brings a strong sense of continuity, familiarity and shared understanding to everyday Kindy life.

Our team brings extensive experience in early childhood education, together with individual interests in areas such as play-based learning, nature and outdoor education, music, creativity, inclusion and children’s emotional development.

All teaching staff hold the qualifications and checks required for their roles, and our centre actively supports ongoing professional development through courses, seminars, workshops and conferences.

Anna Hutchings

Centre Director & Teacher (Kindy Blue Balimber and Yellow Kupi Groups)

Anna has been part of the Chapel Hill Community Kindy community for more than 20 years, first as a parent and now as a member of our teaching team.

She is passionate about play-based learning, with a particular love of outdoor learning and the natural world. Anna believes play is one of the most powerful ways young children learn, develop confidence and make sense of the world around them.

You will often find her outdoors alongside the children, exploring, observing, creating and learning together.

What the children say

• “Anna is lovely and has a lovely singing voice.” — Romeo

• “Dear Anna, I will miss you. You are kind and nice and you help me with things. You solve problems.” — Luca

• “I love her and made friends with her.” — Caris

Georgie

Assistant Teacher (Kindy blue Balimber group)

Georgie has been part of the Chapel Hill Kindy teaching team for 12 years.

She believes every child is a unique individual and that learning is about far more than reading and writing. For Georgie, children learn through play, curiosity, asking questions, spending time with others and having fun along the way.

She values giving children the freedom to explore ideas, create, experiment and learn in ways that feel meaningful to them.

What the children say

• “Georgie laughs a lot which makes me happy.”— Levi

• “Miss Georgie makes me laugh. Thank you for helping me make all sorts of things.”— Sophie

• “Have you seen how Georgie wears a lot of rings? She could be a pirate!”— Olen

Tracy

Bush Kindy Leader

Tracy has been part of the Chapel Hill Kindy team for 12 years and has led our Bush Kindy-by-the-Creek program for nine years.

She is passionate about helping children build a strong connection with nature through hands-on outdoor experiences. Tracy loves sharing her own curiosity and excitement about the natural world, with the hope that it helps spark a lifelong appreciation for the environment.

At Bush Kindy, you will often find her helping children build cubbies, make swings, explore the creek and learn through adventure and discovery.

What the children say

• “Tracy takes us to Bush Kindy. She always helps us do stuff, like build cubbies and make swings.”— Max

Kim

Teacher (Kindy Blue Balimber and Yellow Kupi groups)

Kim has more than 25 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher in community kindergarten settings and has been part of Chapel Hill Community Kindy since 2011.

She values the privilege of working alongside young children as they follow their interests, build independence and work through challenges. Kim loves creating opportunities for children to be curious, creative and cooperative, with learning that is active, kind and fun.

Music, movement, nature and shared discovery are all important parts of her teaching. Outside Kindy, Kim enjoys hiking, beach time, gardening, art, the gym and spending time with family and friends. She lives locally and often crosses paths with past and present Kindy families in the community.

What the children say

• “I like sky-gazing and doing shadow puppet shows with Kim.”— Romeo

• “I love when Kim sings us songs and we do music together. We get to play with sticks to make music sounds. Music time is the best.”— Georgia

Michelle

Admin Coordinator & Assistant Teacher (kindy Yellow Kupi group)

Michelle brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including roles as an assistant teacher, teacher and Director.

She has been part of the Chapel Hill Community Kindy community for more than 20 years, first as a parent and later as a member of the teaching team.

As an Assistant Teacher, Michelle is passionate about helping each child recognise their strengths, care for others and the world around them, develop a love of learning, and think creatively and cooperatively. Most of all, she wants children to enjoy their time at Kindy and have fun while they learn.

Michelle also works as our Administrative Coordinator, supporting families and the teaching team through clear communication, organisation and coordination to help create a smooth and positive Kindy experience.

What the children say

• “Michelle is my friend. She helps me figure out my problems and how to do stuff. I like playing with her. She’s really nice.”— James

Julie

Assistant Teacher & Inclusion officer (Kindy blue Balimber group)

Julie has worked in early childhood education since completing her Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) in 1999.

She spent 11 years working in a C&K kindergarten before taking time away from the sector to raise her family. She later returned as a casual relief teacher across a number of C&K kindergartens and, more recently, worked part-time as an Inclusion Support Teacher. Julie joined Chapel Hill Community Kindy in 2025.

Julie brings a positive outlook, a strong connection with young children and a warm sense of fun to her work. She enjoys helping create an environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn and grow.

What the children say

• Julie is new to Chapel Hill Kindy, so we look forward to adding the children’s perspectives here soon.

Martina

Assistant Teacher & Inclusion Officer (Kindy yellow kupi group)

Martina has been part of the Chapel Hill Kindy community with her family for more than eight years and is now delighted to join the teaching team.

She is passionate about helping children build confidence, resilience, independence and strong social skills through creativity and play-based learning. Nature play is a particular interest, and Martina values the way time outdoors can encourage calmness, curiosity, creativity and problem-solving.

She enjoys supporting children to explore, experiment and learn through trial and error, helping them recognise their own capacity to grow and develop new skills.

Outside Kindy, Martina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling, camping, hiking, mountain biking, reading, strategy games and creative projects.

What the children say

• “I love Martina very much. She helps me and she comforts me when I miss my mum. And she learns to drive” - Olivia

Fiona

Teacher (Pre-Kindy & After Kindy Care)

Fiona brings more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education and has a particularly special connection to Chapel Hill Kindy. She attended the Kindy as a child, later returned as a parent with her own children in Pre-Kindy, and is now part of the teaching team.

She is passionate about supporting children’s emotional growth and helping them build confidence as they become comfortable within the kindergarten environment.

Fiona especially enjoys using art, storytelling and music as ways for children to express their imagination, creativity and understanding of the world around them.

What the children say

• “Isaac thinks you are a wonderful listener, and your heart is so big with love and calm.”— Ruby

• “Rory says that you make him feel happy and has loved you since he first met you.”- Parent

Lynsey

Assistant Teacher (Pre-Kindy & After Kindy Care)

Lynsey brings more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, including work as an assistant and inclusion facilitator.

Her own experience as a parent at a C&K centre inspired her to study early childhood education. She believes strongly in building respectful relationships with children and families, and in creating a safe, welcoming environment where children feel free to be themselves.

Lynsey enjoys supporting children to explore, find joy in their play and develop growing independence and confidence. She sees it as a privilege to be part of each child’s learning journey.

What the children say

• Lynsey is new to Chapel Hill Kindy, so we look forward to adding the children’s perspectives here soon.