MAREE MONTFORT
Southbank,VIC
Summary
As a director, my overall responsibility is to create a physically and emotionally safe educational environment where learning and care can flourish for children, staff, and families.
I am a passionate about leading teams and aim to create a positive and productive work environment by communication with team members, setting clear goals and mentoring staff.
I am proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Causal Diploma
Gowrie Victoria
04.2020
Causal Diploma
ANZUK
03.2020 - 12.2020
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- worked over multiple sites when needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
Director
One Tree Coventry DCU
07.2022 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Maintaining relationships with clients, partners and other stakeholders
- Managing the profits and losses of the organization or a specific division
- Developing goals and initiatives to direct the company’s course
- Guiding Educators on implementing company initiatives and policies
- Evaluating company processes and procedures to solve issues within them
- Ensuring business operations are implemented based on established procedures
- Maintaining regulatory records and paperwork
- support staff and Committee Continue to work towards the National Quality Framework Improvement plan of the ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority).
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for the service.
- Ensure all staff have current and up to date first aid training, working with children checks and police checks. And organise annual first aid training.
- Ensure all staff are up to date and undertake their Mandatory Reporting online eLearning Module.
- Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as enrolment forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Compliance officer/ Nominated supervisor
Little Sophia Kindergarten
03.2021 - 07.2022
- Managed relationships with regulators, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure transparent operations.
- Assisted with internal and external audits to confirm compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing evaluation and refinement of compliance program elements.
- Enhanced regulatory compliance by developing and implementing comprehensive policies and procedures
- Advise the Committee and staff on any compliance concerns and or actions required to achieve compliance
- Liaise with ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority) and DET (Department of Education and Training), regarding planning, frameworks compliance issues.
- Maintain and support staff and Committee Continue to work towards the National Quality Framework Improvement plan of the ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority).
- Meet with the Administrator to ensure all staff have current and up to date first aid training, working with children checks and police checks.
- Meet with the Administrator to ensure all staff are up to date and undertake their Mandatory Reporting online eLearning Module. Review eLearning Module yearly
- As Head of Organisation for the Reportable Conduct Scheme for Commission for Young Children and Young People, ensure all staff are up to date with their professional requirements to report any concerns regarding children’s safety. Follow Reportable Conduct process for reporting and investigations if and concerns arise.
- Ensure all educator's have a in depth understanding and knowledge of the child safe standards
- As work Health and Safety Coordinator, ensure all Work Health and Safety regulations are met
- Train all staff in Hazardous manual Handling throughout the year.
- Continually update Health and Safety Hazards and Risk Control Register, Manual Handling and Risk Control Register, Material Safety Data Sheet Folder, OHS folder.
- Annually review with the Administrator the LSK’s Chemical Register and undertake a Chemical Assessment register
- Record and report any maintenance issues to the Administrator.
- Meet with Food safety Supervisor, and ensure all staff undertake annual food safety training. Ensure all requirements of the Class 1 food Safety program are met. Maintain Food Safety folder's are up to date at all times.
- Undertake Quarterly Internal Food Safety Audit.
- Continually review the Staff handbook. Pass on any compliance needed updates to Coordinator.
- Keep abreast of current legislation governing not-for-profit kindergartens and long day care programs and ensure the kindergarten’s policies and procedures comply with these in accordance with Australia Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, Department of Education and Care Services and National Regulations.
- Keep abreast of practice guidelines (such as those of ELAA and DJMIR) for the management of staff in kinder and long day care programs and ensure that the kindergartens policies and practices comply.
- Meet with Administrator to make sure all staff files are developed and keep up-to-date personnel files on all staff.
- Meet with Administrator to make sure all Staff’s Working with Children Checks and First aid are up to date.
- Coordinate and book all First aid training for staff.
- Identify and make recommendations as required to ensure that the kindergarten meets all necessary Federal, State Government, Work Cover and other governing bodies legislations.
- Support and guide the staff and committee of management to meet all areas of the National Quality Standards (NQS)
- Update Emergency management Plan Annually and implement and review Emergency Drills
- Ensure the Kindergarten and playgroup complies with all legal and government requirements.
- Continue to work towards the National Quality Framework Improvement plan of the ACECQA (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority)
- Work with the Committee, ensuring open communication on issues pertaining to the service.
- Prepare a report for Committee meetings (twice per term) advising on issues and how they are being managed.
- Support the Committee’s role as manager of the service
- Meet with the accountant and treasurer every six months to discuss the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission report.
- Submit the LSK's annual financial report to Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
- Ensure all staff are aware of Department of Education and Training regulations and Little Sophia Inc policies and monitor compliance and breaches of these.
- Meet with the Coordinator and Kindergarten teachers to raise awareness of the Employment Assistance Program and encourage staff to use this program if required.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address compliance concerns, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
- Developed comprehensive training programs to increase employee awareness of compliance requirements and expectations.
- Advised committee on strategic planning initiatives, incorporating compliance considerations into decision-making processes.
Office Admin and Educator
Lillian Cannon Kindergarten
06.2020 - 01.2021
- Built relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop and revise curriculum, enhancing learning experience.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive network for student success.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Collaborated with adults and children to provide safe and educational experience.
- Mentored new educators in best practices for compliance, leading to increased confidence and effectiveness within the kindergarden community.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay current with educational research and pedagogical strategies.
- Created online lessons to facilitate remote learning.
- Set up and migrated new fees system
- Processed pays
- Processed fees termly
- OH&S officer
- Wellbeing officer
- Scheduled conferences with parents form them to discuss students' progress and classroom behaviour with their teacher.
Assistant Director, Educational Leader
Uniting Care
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Mentored new teachers through observation, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Conducted regular safety drills to ensure preparedness in case of emergency situations at the service premises.
- Over saw all curriculum reviews and plans
- Developed strong relationships with community partners to enhance educational opportunities for all children.
- Assisted the Director in developing innovative programs to improve staff performance and retention rate.
- Ensured compliance with National Quality standards by regularly reviewing curriculum materials and teaching practices.
- Planned and executed successful special events, such as family events, open days, and parent-teacher conferences.
- Improved internal communication with introduction of monthly newsletter, keeping staff informed and engaged.
- Organized professional development workshops for staff, enhancing skills and boosting team capabilities.
- Boosted staff morale and performance through implementation of comprehensive training and professional development program.
- Opened and closed the service and monitored shift changes to uphold the day to day operation of the serivce
- Launched quality assurance practices for each learning room.
Director/ Assistant Director
Headstart ELC South Melbourne
01.2013 - 11.2018
- Operational Support: Assist the director with daily tasks, administrative duties, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the centre.
- Leadership and Supervision: Provide guidance and mentorship to educators, fostering best practices and a positive learning environment.
- Curriculum and Program Development: Support the development and implementation of high-quality educational programs.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure the centre adheres to all relevant regulations and quality standards.
- Family and Community Engagement: Act as a point of contact for families, building relationships and fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
- Team Management: Involved in the recruitment, training, and performance management of educators.
Co-coordinator, babies room leader, three year old kinder teacher and OSCH coordinator
Wimmera Uniting Care
11.2003 - 12.2013
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behaviour to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Conducting all fee and enrolment duties.
- Providing guidance and support to educators as they implement new knowledge and skills in their practice.
- Rosters for the services.
- Submitting all pay data to head office.
- Keeping up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in early childhood education and professional development.
- Collaborating with educators, service leaders, and other stakeholders to support the professional development of early childhood educators.
- Developing and curating resources for educators, such as online learning modules, articles, and professional development materials.
- Providing guidance and support to educators as they implement new knowledge and skills in their practice.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet children's' varying needs.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
Education
Certificate IV - Training and Assessment
RMIT
01.2020
Certificate - Play Therapy Certification
Effective Learning
Online 09-2025
Short courses - Building culture intelligence and Building Global Leadership
RMIT
01.2020
Diploma - Children's Services
Ballarat University
01.2010
Certificate IV - Disability in Community Services
Gateway Institute of learning Geelong
01.2001
Skills
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Flexible and adaptable
- Attention to detail
- Excellent communication
- Computer skills
- Critical thinking
- Organizational skills
- Problem resolution
- Verbal communication
- Business management
- Project management
- Budget planning
AVAILABILITY
- I am available:
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
Certification
HLTAID012 - provide first aid in an education and care setting
Protecting Children: Mandatory Reporting
Working with Check
Police Check
Timeline
Director
One Tree Coventry DCU
07.2022 - Current
Compliance officer/ Nominated supervisor
Little Sophia Kindergarten
03.2021 - 07.2022
Office Admin and Educator
Lillian Cannon Kindergarten
06.2020 - 01.2021
Causal Diploma
Gowrie Victoria
04.2020
Causal Diploma
ANZUK
03.2020 - 12.2020
Assistant Director, Educational Leader
Uniting Care
11.2018 - 12.2019
Director/ Assistant Director
Headstart ELC South Melbourne
01.2013 - 11.2018
Co-coordinator, babies room leader, three year old kinder teacher and OSCH coordinator
Wimmera Uniting Care
11.2003 - 12.2013
Short courses - Building culture intelligence and Building Global Leadership
RMIT
Diploma - Children's Services
Ballarat University
Certificate IV - Disability in Community Services
Gateway Institute of learning Geelong
Certificate IV - Training and Assessment
RMIT
Certificate - Play Therapy Certification
Effective Learning
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