At Mount Martha Preschool we provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can flourish and discover their own potential.
Mount Martha Preschool is a wonderful, child-focused and community-run kindergarten nestled in the stunning coastal bushland of Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula. It is a place where inquisitive minds are encouraged, inspired and supported.
The preschool offers a sessional program that is evidence-based and taught by passionate educators. The program gives children the opportunity and time to practise, revisit and consolidate their skills in the key learning areas of language, literacy, numeracy, the creative and expressive arts, science and social studies as well as stimulate their emotional and physical development.
Our philosophy
We believe that young children bring delight and are productive citizens who make a valuable contribution to society.
Our Preschool is your Preschool
Our door is always open to preschool families as we work together to provide a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Continuity of Care
It is of supreme importance to us that the same staff are always present during your child’s preschool session. Children respond well to consistency and predictability, thus building and reinforcing strong relationships.
Our Preschool is your Preschool
Our door is always open to preschool families as we work together to provide a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Continuity of Care
It is of supreme importance to us that the same staff are always present during your child’s preschool session. Children respond well to consistency and predictability, thus building and reinforcing strong relationships.
Our Staff
Staff are friendly and approachable. Teachers have a minimum of 4-year teaching degree, are highly experienced and very well regarded in the community.
Small and Friendly
We ensure that class sizes remain small (22) in order to maximise individualised attention.
Our Staff
Staff are friendly and approachable. Teachers have a minimum of 4-year teaching degree, are highly experienced and very well regarded in the community.
Small and Friendly
We ensure that class sizes remain small (22) in order to maximise individualised attention.
Play Based Learning
Our children are explorers, investigators, risk takers and decision makers. They enjoy many and varied opportunities to support and develop their creativity and realise potential.
Confident Children
We encourage children to take responsibility for their own feelings and actions. With positive guidance, we encourage and foster resilience, self-esteem and develop positive social skills.
Nature, Community and Sustainability
We make the most of our surrounds and access Balcombe Estuary and the local community regularly. We ignite a love of nature in our children and take care to minimise our own environmental footprint.
Achieving Success
We believe that the way a child settles into preschool is of crucial importance to their later happiness in the setting.
All children are individuals and while some may adjust easily to the new environment, others may take longer to feel comfortable and secure.
To ensure that the transition into Mount Martha Preschool goes as smoothly as possible, we run a comprehensive early orientation/transition program. All children and parents are invited to attend story times and an orientation session prior to starting. This program enables children and their families to meet staff and familiarise themselves with the centre. These shared opportunities multiply a child’s chances of success.
Our Staff
Teachers have a minimum of 4-year teaching degree, are highly experienced and very well regarded in the community.
Lauren
Position: Teacher and Nominated Supervisor
Qualifications: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Diploma of Children’s Services.
My name is Lauren Steward and I hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and a Diploma of Children’s Services. I have worked in early education for ten years and have taught at Mount Martha Preschool since 2015. I currently teach both the three and four-year-old programs. I value an open-ended, play-based approach within my curriculum development. This approach supports children to build cooperative relationships and develops confidence; it encourages problem-solving, creativity and lateral thinking.
I place great importance on ongoing professional learning and endeavour to further my knowledge and experience whenever I can. My passion for the outdoors has taken me to England where I took part in study tours to observe and experience ‘nature’s kindergarten’. I have also participated in training emphasising the importance of outdoor play within children’s services. I provide opportunities within each session to foster a deep and respectful connection to nature within the children I teach.
I love the community feel of Mount Martha Preschool and value the support we receive from both the parent and the wider community alike. I believe that a sense of community and belonging impacts very positively on the experiences of our children. Our kindergarten program encourages children to become active members of the community, promoting independence and interpersonal skills.
During my time away from kindergarten, you will find me feeding my chickens, following the football and exploring antique stores to find the perfect cup and saucer.
Kirrilee
Position: Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor Of Early Learning, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
My name is Kirrilee and I am the Red Group teacher. I am new to the Mount Martha Preschool community in 2025 and am looking forward to working closely with its children, families and staff.
I have worked in various roles in Early Childhood. I first started in a family daycare equivalent role, in England, before returning to Australia to live. Since then, I have completed various levels of study and worked in corresponding roles, from a support educator to a teacher, working with 3 and 4 year old groups.
My personal teaching philosophy and pedagogy reflect my passion for the benefits of Early childhood Education. I firmly believe that each, and every, moment in a child’s day provides a learning opportunity.
Being part of a Kindergarten community offers children the chance to develop a strong sense of identity, empowering them to be who they are in the moment and develop skills, that will help them to go on to become all they can be as they continue their journey through education and life. (Belonging, Being and Becoming.) In my short time at Mount Martha Preschool, I have acquired a strong sense of its community values and the network it provides and am excited to be part of this community.
In my time away from Kinder, I like to spend time with my family and enjoy long walks on the beach with my feet in the sand.
Jenny
Position: Educator
Qualifications: Certificate III in Children’s Services.
Hi, my name is Jenny Weir and I am the assistant educator for Red Group. I have been part of the staff at Mount Martha Preschool for over 30 years working with both 4 year old and 3 year old groups.
Some of my interests include reading, gardening, yoga, music and dance and football (barracking for my team, the Saints!).
I believe that I bring warmth, understanding and patience to the group and their families.
My husband and I have successfully raised 2 children (a son and a daughter) and we are now enjoying the next phase of our lives with our 3 gorgeous grandchildren.
Rebecca (Bec)
Position: Educator
Qualifications: Diploma in Children’s Services.
Hi, my name is Bec and I’m the educator in both Blue and Purple group.
I have a Diploma in Children’s Services and have been working in the profession for over 25 years.
I absolutely love my job and love getting to know the children’s special and unique personalities and building positive relationships with both them and their families.
Outside of the preschool I live in Mount Martha with my husband and our three children and our dog Boss.
Lauren K
Position: Educator
Qualifications: Diploma in Children’s Services.
My name is Lauren Kelly and I am very excited to be joining the Mount Martha Preschool Team. I am the Program Support Educator in the 4YO Kindergarten Programs.
I have worked in the Early Childhood profession for more than 12 years and have an interest in further professional learning.
I look forward to getting to know everyone throughout my time at Mount Martha Preschool.
Kim
Position: Program Support Educator
Qualifications: Certificate III in Children’s Services.
My name is Kim Porteous and my position is the Program Support Educator. My qualification is Certificate III in Children’s Services.
I am enjoying my time at Mount Martha Preschool working with the two 4 year old groups.
Staff Strengths
- Maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning.
- Attend regular professional development opportunities.
- Maintain valid First-Aid certificates (includes anaphylaxis and asthma).
- Are subject to regular appraisals.
- Are professionally trained and qualified.
- Teachers are registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
Our Committee
Mount Martha Preschool is a community-focused and parent-run kindergarten. The preschool values the contribution of all its families as well as those parents who volunteer to serve on the committee of management.
The committee of management at Mount Martha Preschool has the following positions:
Executive committee members
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
General committee members
- Policy and Compliance Officer
- Enrolments Officer
- Maintenance and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Officer
- Environmental Sustainability Officer
- Grants Officer
- Marketing and Communications Officer
- Book Club Officer
- Family Engagement Representatives
- General Committee Member(s)
Mount Martha Preschool thanks all the parents who have served on the committee over the past four decades. It is the wonderful mix of educators, families and the local community that has helped to make the preschool a sought-after early learning service on the Mornington Peninsula.
Acknowledgement of Country
Mount Martha Preschool sits proudly on Boonwurrung Country. We encourage, embrace and promote diversity, fairness and respect. The Boonwurrung people, members of the Kulin Nation, are the first custodians of this land where we now meet, learn, play and feel safe. We pay respects to their culture, and Elders, past, present and to come. Womindjeka (Welcome).