Welcome to Dawson Street Child Care Co-operative

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Educators

Our educators are an integral part of the DSCC team. Parents are encouraged to take the time to talk with the staff during drop-off and pick-up times. The centre employs a range of full-time, part-time, floating and relief educator, led by a director , assistant educator and administration officer.

All rooms are staffed in accordance with the Education and Care Services Regulations 2011. All staff are required to satisfy a current Working With Children Check, and to hold first-aid qualifications.

Dawson Street Children’s Co-operative employs Kindergarten teachers, Diploma and Certificate 3 educators. All educators also participate in ongoing professional development. All educators are allocated a position at the centre and you and your child will be introduced during indication to the educators in your child’s room. The centre also employs a part-time cook to provide well-balanced and nutritious meals and snacks for the children.

Relief staff are used to cover annual leave, rostered days off and sick leave. At all times the centre aims to maintain and use a pool of regular relief staff to ensure as much continuity as possible for the children.

Office

Doreen

CENTRE DIRECTOR

Centre Director
I have been actively working within the sector for the past 10 years. My passion for early learning education was planted and driven after arriving in Australia 10 years ago. Coming from overseas, I was hungry to hunt and aim for better Education and have finally found my love and passion after learning so much about early learning education. Mother of 2 and I can feel and understand what parents want best for their children. I aim to embrace all families culture, values and emphasize their individuality and offer diversity. My role is to support families, children and educators to develop relationships that support the individual development of each child.
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Arzu

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & EDUCATIONAL LEADER
I believe the environment plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program. It should enhance the children’s interests in all developmental domains. In planning my program, I would strive for a developmentally appropriate, child-cantered atmosphere where children have the opportunity to master new challenges through activities and topics that are meaningful to them, thus building their self-esteem as they develop and learn. I have been in the industry more than 10years and I love working with the children. I have 2 children and I am happy to be offered to join the Dawson St team and look forward to meeting all you!
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Allison

FINANCE MANAGER

Allison

Sema

CENTRE COOK

CENTRE COOK
I started working here in May of 2003 as a reliever in the rooms with the children. When the cook at the time was away, I would cook for her. This then became a permanent position. I love cooking, I love eating and I love feeding people. When I cook something I have to make sure everyone tastes it. I think this is coming from my grandmother. I grew up in an apartment in Istanbul and we had lots of neighbours. My grandmother also loved to cook and feed all the neighbours! Watching the children eat the food I have prepared, makes me so happy!

Gumnut

Ajay

DIPLOMA EDUCATOR

CERTIFICATE III EDUCATOR
I jumped right into child care after finishing school. I completed my placement for my certificate at Dawson Street and was soon given the great opportunity to become a permanent educator working as a part of the Dawson Street team. I’ve been working at Dawson Street since 2015 and am loving every minute of it. I’ve always been passionate about working with children and am eager to continue my growth as a positive and enthusiastic educator.

Maria D

DIPLOMA EDUCATOR

Maria
Far away, behind the word consonantia there live the blind texts n which roasted parts of sentences.
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Mary

DIPLOMA-TRAINED EDUCATOR

DIPLOMA-TRAINED EDUCATOR
I have a Certificate of Applied Social Science (1985-1986). I spent 4 years working at Acacia Indo-Chinese Children’s Centre (1987-1990), 4 years at Brunswick Occasional Children’s Centre and then completed my Diploma of Child Care Services at Melbourne University. After that I worked as an Occasional Care Co-ordinator for Sunshine AMEP. I then stayed at home for 12 years caring for my children and then between 2009-2012 I did agency work in childcare centres before coming to work at Dawson Street in 2013.

Maria S

CERTIFICATE III EDUCATOR

CERTIFICATE III EDUCATOR
I have been working at DSCC as an educator for 10 years. I have a Certificate III in Children's Services and completed Bachelor of Science, Major in Psychology in the Philippines where I was born. I did volunteer work during my university days in different communities which I was able to work with children which I thoroughly enjoyed. I worked in HR overseas, I am fortunate to have an opportunity to work with children when I move to Melbourne. As an educator, I aim to provide a stimulating, educational, fun environment for the children, a place where children are comfortable and confident to engage in learning relationships with their educators and peers. I aim to help each child to grow as an independent, confident individual and a person that respect, accept and embrace the uniqueness of each one of us, with the hope that each child will understand that everyone regardless of our differences can co-exist happily in an accepting and inclusive environment.

Sam

Sam

Stefani

Stefy

Wattle

Banu

Banu

Aaisha

Aaisha

Yui

Yui

Sharmila

Sharmila

Mallee

Swara

ECT

Swara

Laila

OUTDOOR EDUCATOR
Hi my name is Laila and I have 2 beautiful children aged 5 and 3 years. I believe that children should be treated equally with respect and having a good foundation will build children’s confidence and self-worth. I love making children laugh and happy and love to see how their individual personalities make each and every one of them unique and special.

Emma

Emma

Jess

Jess

Laila

Safa

Tuba

Tuba

Li

Li

Lilly Pilly

Richelle

 KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (LILLY PILLY 4 YEAR OLD KINDER PROGRAM)

DIPLOMA EDUCATOR
Hello, I am new to Dawson St and new to the Early Years Learning sector. I moved to Melbourne from Sydney in 2019 and rediscovered my passion for working with young children and facilitating their learning through play. I completed my Diploma and placement requirements in Dawson St last year and am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to work with such an exceptional team of staff and families! I enjoy working with children of all ages and have a background in Primary School Teaching, as well as facilitating workshops and learning programs in children’s hospitals and museum sites across Sydney.

Deki

DIPLOMA-TRAINED EDUCATOR

Deki

Susan

DIPLOMA EDUCATOR

DIPLOMA-TRAINED EDUCATOR
I began working in the Early Childhood industry in May 1994. I gained experience while working at local centres in many different roles. I began working casually at Dawson Street in October 2001 and became a permanent full time employee in 2005. With support from the centre I studied and completed my Certificate III and Diploma of Children’s Services between 2005-2006. I also completed a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment in 2009. As a long term staff member I have enjoyed watching Dawson Street grow and change but maintain a high quality of care and education.

Sarah

Sarah

Multi-Aged Educators

Shahrooz

MULTIAGED EDUCATOR

MULTIAGED EDUCATOR
I migrated to Australia with my husband and two young children in 1999. I was a Teacher in Iran. In 2008 I completed my Diploma in Children’s Services, and started at Dawson Street in 2009. To me, a child develops best through play-based learning by allowing them to explore their environment and find their place within the community. It is important to recognise the uniqueness of every child and support their individual skills and abilities. In doing so, each child will be able to reach their full potential throughout this important stage of their lives.

Siobhan

Siobhan

Zeenath

Zeenath

Amara

Amara