Staff at Pippies are experienced and carefully selected. They plan and implement an educational based programme to suit every child’s different developmental needs. The weekly programme can be viewed at any time at the centre.
Introducing… The Pippies Team
Pip Wrench-Podvinec is the owner of Pippies and is very involved with the day to day operations of the centre. She opened Pippies in March 2001 and is still as passionate about Early Childhood Education and Care as when she first began. Pip has 2 children, Harrison (7) and Otylia (4) who you will see in the Starfish room. Pip’s husband Mike, you may see around Pippies, fixing any plumbing problems and doing odd jobs.
Alex Collings is the day to day Director. She has been at Pippies since 2007. Alex is a wonderful teacher and is always bubbly and fun. Alex is extremely efficient and is always ready and willing to tackle anything that comes her way.
Rachel Smith is an assistant in the Starfish room and the Room Leader when Alex is doing her duties in the office. She started at Pippies in early 2010. Rachel is such a caring and nurturing woman. She is the calming influence in the room.
Lesley Thompson is our cook. She is also trained as a teacher and has been a member of the Pippies team since it’s opening in 2001. All the children love Lesley’s food! Especially because she often comes out of the kitchen to cook with the children.
Tanya Ninham-Evans is the office and room assistant. She has been at Pippies since 2003. Tanya is very approachable and has a great rapport with everyone. She will soon be leaving for a while to have her own baby!
Steph Oakey is a teacher who occasionally comes in to cover for staff having time off. She stared at Pippies in 2001 then had a couple of years off to study and have her children. She is very nurturing and interacts fabulously with the children.
Jayden Auston finished his traineeship at Pippies when we welcomed him in January 2012. Jayden is an assistant in the Starfish Room. One of his many strengths is he constantly engages with the children, and has a natural rapport with both girls and boys. Despite his height, the children all adore him!
Renee Long is the Room Leader in the Jellyfish room. We welcomed her to the Pippies team in January 2012. Renee has so much energy to share with the children, as well as having a wonderful soft side that the children respond to so well. Renee is also our environmental officer and loves to share her passion with the kids.
Luke McCabe is a support worker in the Starfish room. He has been with us since July 2012. Luke is a very gentle soul and the children really enjoy taking advantage of his artistic abilities and doing quiet activities with him.
Lauren Burrows is the assistant in the Jellyfish room. She started at Pippies in April 2013 and came highly recommended to us with lots of experience. She is super positive, has a sunny nature and a wonderful creative side which the Jellyfish children just love!
Amber Eyles started with us at Pippies in early 2013. She is currently studying her traineeship in Children's Services. Amber has a willingness to learn, a very gentle nature and the children feel very comfortable around her.
