Staff Team
One of the most important assets at Margaret Ives is our caring, experienced and enthusiastic staff team. We have a high staff-to-child ratio and at least two qualified staff members in each room. We are committed to professional and personal staff development - we believe it is integral to providing a high quality service.
Our policies and practice reflect a commitment to the safety and protection of children and to providing a child-safe environment. All staff working with children undergo a criminal history screening.
Many of our staff have been at the Centre for more than 10 years. Our Director was recently welcomed to Margaret Ives after holding a position as Director of another local Community Children's Centre for the past 11 years.
She has been working in community based child care since 1989 and her qualifications include an Advanced Certificate in Child Care, Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Education. She has broad experience in early childhood education, including assisting early childhood degree students at the University of South Australia from 1994 to 2006.
Her special interests are promoting and supporting wellbeing for children, staff and parents, and providing quality learning environments for children.
Our Assistant Director has also been recently appointed to her position after working at Margaret Ives since 1996. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Baby Room and developing primary caregiving.
She has worked in community based child care since 1984 in various roles, from team leader to director. Her professional focus has included infant mental health, relationship-based programs and primary caregiving.
In the Baby and Toddler rooms our staff have qualifications and extensive experience in child care.
In the Kindergarten we have two early childhood teachers and three child care staff.
All rooms have an extra staff member who comes in at lunchtime to help with lunch and cover lunchbreaks.
Our Administrator has worked at Margaret Ives since 1988 and is the person to contact for more information about the Centre.
Our Cook has been with us since 1990. She is a qualified chef with extensive experience in cooking for children and providing special diets. We are an accredited Start Right - Eat Right Centre and invite you to view our sample menu.
We have a team of regular relief staff, some of whom have been contributing to our Centre for many years.
Comprehensive orientation procedures for all new staff, including relief staff, ensure consistent practice and continuity for children and families.
