Our Staff

At YECCA we are proud to have a well established team of highly educated and dedicated staff.

Julie Hearne – Director

Qualifications:

  •   Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to Five)
  •   Diploma of Children’s Services
  •   Certificate III Community Services (Children’s Services)

Julie has been working at YECCA since 2004 in a variety of roles. She is Director and Educational Leader, working in the office Tuesday – Friday. She lives on a farm and enjoys music, cooking and cross-stitch. Julie loves to chat with the children and help them gain independence and confidence.

Simone Rampton - Admin Manager

 Qualifications:

  •  Diploma of Children’s Services ECEC
  •  Certificate III Children’s Services

Simone has worked at YECCA in a variety of positions since 2007. After being in the Daycare room, including being the Room Leader, she started her new role of Admin Manager in 2025, taking over from Chris Pollack who had been in that role for 25yrs.  Simone enjoys interacting with the children and their families. She enjoys reading, camping and spending time with her family.

Kristy Platt – 4yr Preschool Teacher

Qualifications:

  •   Bachelor of Education (Primary)
  •   Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care

Kristy began at YECCA at the beginning of 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in both Early Childhood Education and Primary Education. She has a passion for Early Childhood Education and strengthening children’s social and emotional well-being. Fun fact – Kristy attended YECCA when Margot Gregory started at the Centre, then took over her role all those years later!

Tiffany Sturgess - Educator

Qualifications:

  •  Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care

Tiffany completed her training at the end of 2025 and after completing some of her practical components with us, we knew she was a perfect addition to the YECCA team. She loves children and has a passion for early childhood education, believing that she can learn just as much from the children in her care as they can from her. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her partner and 3 young girls, camping, going to the beach and arts & craft.

Yolande Cross – Daycare Coordinator

Qualifications:

    • Associate Diploma in Social Science (Children’s Services)

    Yolande worked at YECCA from 2013 – 2022, returning in 2025 as the Daycare Coordinator. She has had extensive experience in Early Childhood and Care. She loves to nurture the children, whilst providing experiences to accommodate their strengths, interests and needs. Yolande loves animals and music and has a fun sense of humour.

    Tamara Richardson - 3yr Preschool Room leader, Program relief


    Qualifications:

    •  Diploma in Early Chilhdood Education & Care
    • Currently studying Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary)

    Tamara started working at YECCA in Term 3 2025 and works Tuesday as program relief and Wednesday and Thursday in the 3yr Preschool Room as the room leader. She has many years experience in both family daycare and preschool settings and has a genuine passion for working with and building relationships with children.

    Tamara loves camping, gardening, adventuring and spending time with her family and friends. She loves nothing more than a trip to the beach, swimming in the ocean, 4WDing on dunes and sandboarding. You’ll find her at the beach every school holidays!

    Claudina McPhillips - Educator

    Qualifications:

    • Diploma of Children’s Services
    • Certificate III Children’s Services

    Claudina was born in the Solomon Islands and has been working at YECCA since 2011. She currently works in the 4yr Preschool Room on Monday, Tuesday & Friday and the 3yr Preschool Room on Wednesday & Thursday. Claudina enjoys singing and dancing and sharing beautiful cultural song and dance with the children at YECCA.  She loves meeting new families and learning all about the children’s different needs.

    Leanne Wilcox - Educator

    Qualifications:

    •  Diploma of Children’s Services
    •  Certificate III Children’s Services
    •  Certificate III Teachers Aide in Special Needs

    Leanne works in our Daycare Room on Fridays and covers the lunch breaks on Mondays & Tuesdays. She especially loves working with our babies, as well as providing gardening and art & craft experiences to all the children. Leanne has lived in Yass all her life and enjoys bike riding, triathlons, walking, camping and quilting. 

    Lucy Perkins - Educator

    Qualifications

    • Diploma of Children’s Services

    Lucy joined YECCA at the start of 2018, having moved to Yass from the Gold Coast and is originally from Young. She brings with her a wealth of experience in ECE and particularly enjoys working with the under 4s. She is currently working in the Daycare on Monday & Tuesday and the 3yr Preschool room on Wednesday & Thursday. Lucy believes in a healthy lifestyle and has completed a yoga teacher training course, of which she shares with the children.

    Janice Smith - Educator

    Qualifications:

    • Certificate III in Children’s Service

    Janice has been an assistant in the Day Care Room since 2016. She enjoys working with the younger age group and helping them to develop their skills, build relationships and reach their many milestones. She especially likes to share wonderful books and stories with the children and to inspire them with nature and the environment. Janice has lived with her family in the Yass Valley since 2007 and is still finding new places to explore in the region. 

    Cassie Hardy - Educator


    Qualifications:

    • Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

    Cassie joined the YECCA team in 2020, after moving to Yass from Canberra. She has many years experience in the Early Childhood Education industry and has a passion for children’s well-being and development. She works in the Daycare room on Mondays, Tuesday and Fridays and the 4yr Preschool room Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cassie loves spending time with family, camping, country music and the beach.

    Bella White - Trainee Educator

    Qualifications:
    Studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

    Bella is in Yr 12 at Yass High School and after she completed work experience with us in Yr 10, she quickly decided that Early Childhood Education & Care was the career path she wanted to follow. She began her school-based traineeship in Term 4, 2024 and will be with us until the end of 2026, when she finishes school and her qualification. She is an enthusiastic member of the team and has built some wonderful relationships with the children already.

    Teresa Campbell - Nominated Supervisor, Binalong Mobile Preschool

    Qualifications:

    Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)

    Teresa used to be the Nominated Supervisor at Binalong and has returned at the end of 2023. Teresa is an enthusiastic and motivated teacher who provides an array of learning opportunities for the children. She lives in Boorowa and is a very active sportsperson, regularly playing hockey and recently playing in the National Masters Hockey Championships. 

    Rebecca Chesher - Educator - Binalong Mobile Preschool

    Qualifications:

    • Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services)
    • Certificate III in Children’s Services (Centre based care 0 – 12)

    Rebecca has been at Binalong Mobile Preschool since January 2019. Rebecca has a passion for Early Childhood Education and brings with her a love of children and calm quiet nature.