Our Staff

Each one of us brings something special and different to the team which adds to the diversity of learning we can offer your child. We work well together as we share the same philosophy that children learn best through fun play, being challenged and taking risks. We all show commitment and dedication to ensure children are valued and respected and that families feel welcomed and supported as part of our preschool community. Our preschool has a reputation for providing high quality care and an amazing outdoor environment that the children and families adore! We are so lucky to be set on 5 acres of playground!

Nicky Misios

Director and Nominated Supervisor

Nicky Misios

Director and Nominated Supervisor

I am a mother of 3 children and wife to 1! (Haha) We have a love of travel and experiencing the wonder of different cultures. We share a commitment to sport and outdoor activities alongside taking time to ourselves. I have my Bachelor in Teaching, Early Childhood, which I completed in my home town of Wollongong. I moved to Coffs Harbour from the Gong in 2009. My experience has stretched out over the past 20 plus years. I have had the opportunity to educate children from 0-12 years. This experience has taken me from the Nurseries of long day care to the classrooms of the Dept. of Ed. I have joined Lower Bucca Community Preschool as Director/ Teacher and believe that I have found the perfect place to implement my years of experience and personal philosophy which aligns with that of our service. I take great pride in building relationships with our families and enjoy supporting all children in their uniqueness. It is imperative to me that each child leaves us for the ‘big’ world with an inner confidence and resilience that can take them forward in their journey through life and to be able to reach their full potential.

Naomi Hood

Educational Leader

Naomi Hood

Educational Leader

Hello my name is Naomi Hood. I am a diploma trained educator currently employed at Lower Bucca community preschool. My calling into the industry came in 2010 when I enrolled in my first course in children’s services, an industry that I knew I would love! I was fortunate enough to stumble across Bucca preschool during my first work placement and I haven’t looked back since. In 2014 I took the last three terms off for maternity leave to have my beautiful daughter and returned in January 2015. I reside in Nana Glen with my family and spend my free time hanging out with the family and pottering in the garden. There is something very special about Bucca preschool that I feel blessed every day to be a part of. The connection to nature that we experience fits perfectly with my personal philosophy of viewing nature as the first teacher. Some of my favourite ways to support your children in exploring educational opportunities include cooking, investigating science experiences and observing the growth of all the children from the moment they first walk through our gate until the day when we proudly watch them (and shed a tear or two) walk back out to begin their journey to big school. I look forward to meeting you and working together to give your child a nurturing, encouraging and supportive beginning in their education and learning here at Lower Bucca preschool.

Giselle Pitt

Supporting Educator

Hello my name is Giselle Pitt and I am diploma trained and commenced working at Lower Bucca Preschool in 2011. I have been in the early childhood field since 1997.

Giselle Pitt

Supporting Educator

Hello my name is Giselle Pitt and I am diploma trained and commenced working at Lower Bucca Preschool in 2011. I have been in the early childhood field since 1997. My personal philosophy has changed with time due to my own personal growth and experiencing many changing situations which I apply to my everyday practices with children. I have been living in Coffs since 2010, moving from Sydney. I am a mother of 4 beautiful children and when I have the spare time I love to be outdoors exercising, catching up with friends, reading books or just simply enjoying time to myself.

Ken McGregor

Educator

I grew up in Sydney until I moved up to Dairyville with April where we had our daughter. I started to work in childcare in 1994 at numerous services in the Coffs Harbour region.

Ken McGregor

Educator

Claire Badke

Educator

Hello, my name is Claire, I am the mother of 2 beautiful crazy kids, living just up the road from Bucca Preschool on my family farm, where I double as a farmer on my days away from Bucca preschool.

Claire Badke

Educator

Hello, my name is Claire, I am the mother of 2 beautiful crazy kids, living just up the road from Bucca Preschool on my family farm, where I double as a farmer on my days away from Bucca preschool. Having grown up on the farm I am of course and avid animal lover, raising like minded children, our weekends are spent here there and everywhere at horse competitions. With a FIFO husband we live a somewhat crazy unusual lifestyle. My career in early childhood education began in long day care in Mackay Queensland in 2004 working as the nursery room leader for 4 years, before marrying and starting my own family. I returned to Coffs Harbour in 2010 to raise our children on the farm, my daughter attended Bucca Preschool in 2013, I was employed at Bucca in 2015 along with my son starting his adventure at preschool. I am currently finishing a diploma in early Childhood whilst employed here Monday to Thursday. Being an outdoor lover of beautiful environments and nature of all types makes Bucca Preschool an exciting place to spend my days and not a place I consider a job, I feel so honoured to be able investigate and explore alongside children as they grow and develop as amazing little individuals.

Lea Darby

Educator

Lea Darby

Educator

My name is Lea Darby and I have been working in early childhood now for about 5 years, the last 2 of which have been at Bucca and without a doubt this is the best environment and team that I have had the pleasure of working with. Every day at Bucca is an adventure in learning experiences and being able to encourage and support the children in their exploration of both individual and shared interests and building on these interests is very rewarding. I’m married and have a son who is a chippy and my husband works in the real estate industry. Prior to working in the early childhood field and obtaining my Cert III in early childcare, I volunteered for 8 years with Coffs Harbour & Districts Riding for the Disabled and during this time studied to become and assistant Coach. I remain involved with RDA to date as Vice President

Eva McCarthy

Educator

Hi my name is Eva I have a certificate 3 in early childhood and care. I am a married mum of 2 boys I moved to Australia 10 years ago from Ireland.

Eva McCarthy

Educator

Hi my name is Eva I have a certificate 3 in early childhood and care. I am a married mum of 2 boys I moved to Australia 10 years ago from Ireland. I am new to this industry as previously have been working in hospitality. I am loving having the opportunity to being a part of this Bucca team and love meeting your beautiful children.

Billie Irvine

Casual Supporting Educator

Hi I’m Billy and have been fortunate to begin my early childhood profession amongst the Bucca kids.

Billie Irvine

Casual Supporting Educator

Hi I’m Billy and have been fortunate to begin my early childhood profession amongst the Bucca kids. I completed my workplace hours here for my Certificate III to then go on and support the team as their priority casual and support. I have had an opportunity to get to know the quirky and entertaining characters that attend Bucca and learnt a lot from their unique ways. I enjoy following the interests of the children and learning from their different perspectives. I came here from a background in retail and enjoy the different pace of an early childhood setting. Fast and never predictable. I enjoy the great outdoors, especially our beaches and spending quality time with my family, girlfriend and friends.

OUR STAFF

Nicky Misios

Naomi Hood

Giselle Pitt

Ken McGregor

Claire Badke

Lea Darby

Eva McCarthy

Billie Irvine

Child-Centred Preschool

Lower Bucca Preschool gives priority to the interests and needs of children.

Bucca Preschool provides an enriched learning experience in which the children:

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