Our experienced team welcome and support each child’s ideas, experiences, and understandings in a learning environment that values play. We work together with each child and their family unit to encourage a child’s disposition to learn and create.
We are fortunate to have a highly qualified and experienced team. All team members hold current first aid certificates and participate in various professional development activities such as workshops and conferences.
Sharon Kemp
Director of the Kindergarten, Nominated Supervisor, Early Childhood Teacher/ Educational Leader – Bees Class (Wed) and Butterflies Class (Thu, Fri)
M.Ed Education B. Ed/Early Childhood (Hons), Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Training
Sharon is the Director, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader at Banks Street Kindy. Sharon is a passionate early childhood teacher with extensive international training in Reggio inspired learning environments, Danish and UK forest schools and Finland education. She has over 25 years’ experience in Early Childhood and as a qualified teacher.
Sharon facilitates an inclusive, calm and vibrant learning space for children and families. Her teaching practice has a strong connection to building a sense of community and nature education. Sharon believes family and friends are a strong foundation in maintaining a healthy life work balance. In her spare time Sharon enjoys gardening, crochet, art, and volunteering.
“I am inspired by the knowledge and diversity each of us bring to our community kindergarten. I believe in education for a sustainable future by learning and teaching in, with and about nature, to nurture connections to the world we live in.”
Liz Staines
Educator – Bees Class (Wed), Educator – Butterflies Class (Thur, Fri)
Certificate III in Children’s Services, Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Training
Liz joined Banks Street Kindergarten in 2023 and has over 9 years of early childhood experience. Prior to this, Liz worked as a Beauty Therapist for 21 years. Liz is married with two adult daughters, Laura and Emily and away from work enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, relaxing with her two cats, and taking her Jack Russell Terrier Penny for walks.
“I have a passion for working with children and I am committed to giving them quality care and learning in their early years”.
Beatriz Medina Porto
Educator – Bees Class (Mon, Tues)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Training
Beatriz is a passionate early childhood teacher with over 10 years of experience in different education settings, from early childhood to primary school. Working with children in their early years has always been one of her passions. She has always loved studying, observing and understanding their social, emotional and physical development and discovering each child’s unique way of learning.
Beatriz has completed the Hanen Program, which trains ECTs to support children in developing language, communication and interaction skills. Beatriz has also completed an Introduction to AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) helping her embed inclusion practices in educational settings. Beatriz’s teaching practices focus on exploring respectful relationships, kindness and social interactions with different lenses and perspectives. In her own time, Beatriz loves gardening, crafting, painting and exploring her Brazilian culture, music, dance and food!
Ita Lusi
Educator – Bees Class (Mon, Tue, Wed)
Diploma in Children Services (Early Childhood Education and Care), Cert III Working With Children With Disability, Blue Card
Ita is a passionate educator with over 15 years experience, and actively volunteers at a number of local primary schools. Ita is married with two adult daughters, Jasmine and Tamara. Ita enjoys gardening, reading and travelling.
“I believe that children will strive and learn more when they are fully supported and encouraged to be themselves and simply have fun. With the right approach and guidance, we at kindergarten are actively creating our future engineers, scientists, builders, as well as artists, chefs, and others, just to name a few career paths. These, we build from the magic of our sand pit, mud kitchen, art and craft and building blocks areas, and all our well thought out planned activities set up based on careful observations of the children’s interest. Thus, learning through play base approach is the magic of it all. And that brings me here to Banks Street Kindergarten“.
Chelsea Lesli
Educator – Bees Class (Mon), Educator – Butterflies Class (Thu, Fri)
Certificate III in Children’s Services
Chelsea has 10 years’ experience in working with children as an Educator and Nanny. Chelsea joined Banks Street Kindy in 2025 and is also studying to become an Occupational Therapist.
Chelsea believes in finding each child’s strength and interest to support them in accessing education in a way that works for that unique child to help further their growth and development.
Sharon (Shaz) Hart
Educator – Butterflies Class (Thu, Fri)
Associate Diploma of Early Childhood, Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma training
Shaz brings a wealth of experience, passion and support for pursuing children’s learning, play and discovery of the world they live in and participate in. Shaz has an extensive career in teaching young children and has worked as a Leader / Assistant Educator and mentor in her previous roles, with over 35 years of experience in various early learning settings.
“I knew from a very early age I wanted to work with young children. My joy is to embed a love for life, respect, kindness and an awareness of the unique identity in each child’s heart. I enjoy building close connections between families and their communities, as truly it takes a village to raise a child. Outside work I enjoy long beach walks, music, gardening, cooking and time with family and friends”.
Kath Reilly
Artist-in-Residence / “Kath the Artist Lady”
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Enrolled Nurse, and Blue Card
Our multi-talented Kath holds a Bachelor of Fine Art majoring in Illustration QCA 2000, as well as having a background in nursing and childcare. Kath began working at Banks Street Kindy in 2007 facilitating group artworks for the Annual Art Show. She is an incredible Artist and communicates so well with the children, enlightening them to the wonders that surround us, and teaching them how to describe their ideas verbally and through art.
“Why I love working here? At Banks Street Kindy I am always overjoyed to see how much the children (and their families) are supported – as a community, as individuals and in a creative capacity. I love seeing the children share ideas and explore problems together. It’s a home away from home and a pleasure to work with such a positive and knowledgable team”.
Elizabeth Oliver
Administrative Assistant (Tue, Fri 8.30am – 1.00pm)
Bachelor of Business, MA Professional Accounting, Blue Card
Elizabeth is our exceptionally qualified Admin Assistant and the go-to girl for almost any question. She is inspired by everyone she comes into contact with and enjoys a chat.
Elizabeth started at Banks Street Kindy in 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Hospitality Management, and a Master of Professional Accounting.
Elizabeth brightens every room she is in and is an all-round good chook, and an incredible asset to the Kindy.
Alicia Coburn
Junior Admin Assistant (Wed)
Alicia is our new Junior Admin Assistant. She is a past and current Banks Street Kindy parent who loves us so much, she now works with us!
Banks Street Kindy 