Management Team

Sommer Dempsey
Director of Child Care – ELTHAM College Kids

Sommer oversees the operations of our four centres. Her 14 years of experience in a long day care environment and 8 years as a centre coordinator/director are complimented by her qualifications which include: Diploma in Children’s Services, Diploma of Small Business, Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment, Food Safety Supervisor Certificate, Senior First Aid and Anaphylaxis management. Sommer’s experience is matched by her passion and care.

“The care of children has always been a passion of mine, my mum tells me stories of when I was a small child and I would spend long periods of time dressing, comforting, feeding and playing with the many dolls I had accumulated as presents from family members.

Transforming my childhood experiences into reality, I later involved myself in volunteer work assisting with children with disabilities and also assisting at the local long day care centre, where I began my journey as an employee of a professional child care provider. Over the years my experiences in centres has ranged from cooking to caring for children of all ages groups from birth to school age, coordinating and now directing/overseeing multiple centres.

"I see the most important role in my position is to ensure that each of our services offer every child the opportunity of love, security, nurture and engaging social and educational experiences each day that they are entrusted to us. 

I have a young family myself, two children and three beagles, so I can personally relate to the needs of parents today. Family time is most important to us and we enjoy being outdoors together engaging in leisure activities at every opportunity.” – Sommer

Tina Trajanovski
Coordinator – Eltham North

Tina is our Coordinator at Eltham North. She has 15 years experience working in the child care industry and 4 years as a coordinator. Tina understands the demands on today’s working families and provides a service that is practical and supportive of the family and it’s needs. Tina has a Diploma in Children’s Services, a Senior First Aid Certificate and a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.

“I ensure that we deliver quality care to every child enrolled in our service while recognising each child’s individuality. I have lived in this area for 24 years with my husband, three adult children and our maltese/shitzu.” – Tina

Jodie Kidd
Coordinator – Laurimar 

Jodie is our Coordinator at Laurimar and has worked with ELTHAM College Kids for 9 years. Over this time she has had experience with all ages running all rooms and even cooked for the children. She is now coordinating our busiest centre which has 120 children each day and 195 families across the week. Jodie holds a Diploma in Children’s Services, a Food Safety Supervisor Certificate, Senior First Aid and Anaphylaxis Certificate. Jodie prides her centre on parent communication and parent and community involvement.

"As a coordinator I involve the centre in community events and encourage high levels of parent involvement in our service. I am creative and enjoy making the environment for children look aesthetically pleasing the in the foyer and also helping staff with this in their rooms, I am happiest when I know that children at my service are happy, content and enjoying their day with us." – Jodie

Lisa Kokkalidis
Director – Melbourne City

Lisa is our Director at Melbourne City. She has been working in the childcare industry for the past 18 years. Lisa has worked as a director of childcare at various childcare centres over the past six years. She has also been instrumental in the start up of many new centres across Victoria. Lisa holds a Diploma in Children’s Services as well as a Senior First Aid Certificate.

“I have very high expectations in what equals high quality childcare and strive to ensure that this is what is provided at the child care centres at which I work. I look forward to working alongside you all at ELTHAM College Kids @ Melbourne City.”  – Lisa

Hayley Carroll
Coordinator – Wallan

Hayley is the co-ordinator at our Wallan childcare centre. She has worked in childcare for 9 years and over this time has been room leader to all age groups and also Second-in-Charge at her previous centre. She holds a Diploma in Children’s Services, as well as certificates in First Aid, Food Safety, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Aware.

Hayley has been living in the Wallan area over a year and is enjoying being an acitve community member. In her spare time she enjoys coaching calisthenics, which she has been involved in for 24 years, and has recently started playing netball with the local team.

“I enjoy working with children and always strive to ensure that they are cared for in a safe and happy environment, making certain that each day the children and families leave the Centre happy.”   – Hayley