Exceeding National Quality Standard
Crafting enriching kindy experiences for over 50 years
About
The educational program at Stafford Heights Kindergarten honours every child’s right to a happy and fulfilling childhood. It is a place where children belong, learn and contribute to their community.
Our mission is to provide a safe, caring, nurturing, creative, sustainable and educational environment conducive to play-based learning and optimal development for each child.
As a not-for-profit community kindergarten, we are staffed by caring, experienced and professional teachers, yet all management decisions are governed by a parent committee. This structure fosters community, empowers parents to contribute to their child’s education, and enables us to reinvest any profits back into the kindy.
Stafford Heights Kindergarten is affiliated with Lady Gowrie – a government approved central organisation to guide and support associated community kindergartens.
Lady Gowrie (QLD) Inc. is a not-for-profit early childhood organisation which, for over 70 years, has been a leader in providing early childhood programs, and currently oversees 95 early childhood service providers throughout Queensland.
The Lady Gowrie name in Queensland is synonymous with high quality and affordable early childhood services that promote a sense of emotional well being and social and cultural awareness for children, while supporting parents and enabling greater workforce participation. This philosophy and community driven ethos is strongly aligned with Stafford Heights Kindergarten and we are proud to be one of their community kindergartens.
Meet our team
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Leonie Russell - Director
Leonie believes that young children are capable and competent learners who thrive in engaging, positive, and stimulating environments. She is passionate about creating a Kindy setting where children feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow as independent, confident learners and thoughtful global citizens.
With over 18 years of experience working with children across community kindergartens, childcare services, and schools, Leonie brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. She values building strong, meaningful connections with families and sees the Kindy year as not only a significant time of development for children, but also a year of community and partnership for families.
Leonie looks forward to welcoming families to Stafford Heights Kindergarten and working closely together to make each child’s Kindy year memorable, engaging, and deeply rewarding.
Leonie holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma (Early Years).
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Danielle Narvaez - 2 day group Teacher
Danielle is an experienced Early Childhood Teacher with a strong background in delivering high-quality kindergarten programs across community kindergartens, long day care, intervention programs, international schools, and remote communities. She is passionate about creating emotionally safe, nurturing, play-based learning environments that strengthen children’s sense of belonging, resilience, and confidence as learners. Danielle brings a particular interest in neuroscience-informed practice, mindfulness, and nature-based learning, and enjoys translating research into practical strategies that support self-regulation and wellbeing in early childhood settings.
Danielle holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) with First Class Honours.
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Dena Wright - 2 day group Assistant Educator + Administrator / Enrolments Officer
Dena brings extensive experience across a variety of roles within the early childhood sector, supported by a deep commitment to high-quality early years education. She is passionate about fostering children’s confidence, independence, and resilience, supporting them to see themselves as capable, competent, and successful lifelong learners.
Dena places strong importance on nurturing each child’s sense of belonging within the Kindy community. She thoughtfully supports children to engage meaningfully in all aspects of the learning environment, creating a warm, inclusive space where every child feels valued and empowered to thrive.
Dena holds a Diploma of Children’s Services (Early Childhood Education and Care).
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Janessa Travia - 3 day group Teacher
Janessa brings warmth, professionalism, and a strong commitment to high-quality early years education. She leads her program with intention and care, creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children feel confident to explore, question, and discover through play.
Janessa thoughtfully plans meaningful learning experiences that support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, while fostering independence and a strong sense of identity. She is passionate about creating rich, play-based opportunities that inspire curiosity and a love of learning.
She values building respectful, collaborative partnerships with families, recognising that strong relationships are central to supporting each child’s growth, wellbeing, and success throughout their Kindy journey.
Janessa holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
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Jingrong Zhu - 3 day group Assistant Educator + Inclusion Support Educator
Jingrong brings many years of experience across a range of roles within the early childhood sector. Inspired by the philosophy that “the child has a hundred languages,” she recognises that every child has unique ways of thinking, playing, and expressing themselves.
Jingrong is committed to nurturing each child’s individual strengths and potential within a play-based, inclusive learning environment. She values building strong partnerships with parents and carers to support children’s development and wellbeing. Jingrong strives to ensure that every child’s Kindy experience is rich in joy, growth, and meaningful learning opportunities.
Jingrong holds a Diploma of Children’s Services (Early Childhood Education and Care).
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Peta Fathers - 3 day group Inclusion Support t Educator
Peta has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, she provides dedicated support to children with additional needs within the kindergarten program. Working closely with the teaching team, she helps create an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child can participate, learn, and thrive.
Through individualised support and a calm, caring approach, she ensures all children feel valued, confident, and supported in their learning journey.
Peta holds a Certificate III in Children’s Services
Accreditation
National Quality Standard – awarded highest assessable ranking
Stafford Heights Kindergarten is very proudly awarded the ranking of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standard’ by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). This assessment is indicative of our true commitment to continued excellence in early childhood education. The kindergarten achieved the highest possible ranking in all seven areas:
Educational program and practice
Children’s health and safety
Physical environment
Staffing arrangements
Relationships with children
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Governance and leadership
In its summary of our assessment, ACECQA said:
“The Regulatory Authority congratulates Stafford Heights Preschool and Kindergarten's achievements in providing high quality outcomes for children, families and educators by exceeding the National Quality Standards in all of the seven Quality Areas.
The holistic approach to teaching and learning, and the shared understanding of educators, enables children to be competent and capable learners. The sense of community and involvement of parents and children as active decision makers in the service contributes to the high level of quality at the service. The strong partnership between educators and families build on children's sense of belonging, being and becoming.
Stafford Heights Preschool and Kindergarten is commended for achieving a rating of Exceeding National Standards overall.”
Visit the ACECQA website for more information on the National Quality Standard.
Approved Kindergarten Program
Stafford Heights Kindergarten is proudly a Queensland Government Approved Free Kindergarten Program provider.

