Meet Our Team

Haley Cotton is our Educational Leader at Middle Park Kindergarten, teaching the 4 year old kindergarten group.

Haley has been working in the Early Childhood field for more than 20 years and come with much experience. She finished her bachelors degree in Sydney from Macquarie University and can work in school and kindergarten settings.

Since her time at university she has worked at many different educational settings and have seen an array of different teaching styles and philosophies at play. This experience has led Haley to see that "children learn best when provided with a safe and supportive environment that challenges them, inspires them and promotes a self of well-being."

She sees children as competent individuals who come with their own way of learning. An environment that supports their unique way of learning is imperative for success. The teacher is only one element in the teaching process. The physical environment plus the connection the children have with their peers, and the wider community all help build skills in the child and importantly feel a sense of belonging and identity. This sense of belonging and community is vital for children to grow into mindful citizens of the world and for them to continue their journey into learning.

Haley has a passion for inspiring children to be their best self. She believes that through open-ended experiences plus intentional teaching opportunities and project work, children can take mastery over their own learning.

In her spare time she enjoys meeting up with friends and family, loves nice food and getting outdoors in nature. She likes to try and keep fit by walking her dog and doing some exercise. She also enjoys cooking.

Monique Lewis is our Nominated Supervisor at Middle Park Kindergarten, teaching the 3-year-old kindergarten group.

Monique is an experienced Early Childhood Educator with over 15 years in the field, dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and community engagement. She specializes in teaching children aged 3 to 5, emphasizing play-based learning and embedding First Nations perspectives.

Monique is passionate about creating welcoming, aesthetically pleasing environments that nurture curiosity and creativity. She values strong partnerships with families, educators, and the community, and is committed to high-quality education aligned with national standards and the UN Rights of the Child.

Monique is known for her creativity, approachability, and dedication to social justice.

Demi is an early childhood educator who believes the first five years of life are a crucial foundation for children’s development. She is passionate about supporting young children as they learn how to understand the world around them and build meaningful relationships with others.

Demi is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where children feel a strong sense of belonging. Through intentional teaching, she aims to extend children’s thinking, encourage curiosity, and support them in exploring and engaging with the world in meaningful ways.

She holds both a Master of Education from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching. Demi also brings over two years of casual teaching experience across a variety of early learning settings in Melbourne, where she has obtained diverse teaching styles and practices.

Originally from China, Demi is bilingual in English and Mandarin, and values working with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys practising Pilates, exploring nature, and discovering new food experiences.

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Ria first started at Middle Park Kindergarten as a casual in 2024, before taking on a permanent role with the Whales group in 2025.

Ria has been working in the Early Childhood industry since 2018 and has attained a Diploma in Early Childhood.

Ria strongly believes in providing a warm, homely environment allowing a child to feel safe and secure, so that they can thrive to the best of their abilities. Ria enjoys creating an environment where a child’s curiosity is captured and they engage their imagination.

Sarah has had a long association with Middle Park Kinder having had her three children attending the service.

Sarah commenced her role as Office Manager in 2024 and looks after enrolments and administrative queries. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for long walks and reading.

Kylie is a very experienced and talented musician, with a beautiful voice. She is providing a music program for the Dolphins and Whales groups this year. Kylie visits the kindergarten every fortnight.