Our Childcare Alliance Management Team

Guardian Childcare Alliance Central Support Office

Shane Burke – Group Financial Controller

Shane has extensive experience in the fields of accounting and financial management, and has also consulted privately to a variety of companies and individuals. He is a Certified Practising Accountant and has an MBA. Prior to joining Guardian, Shane managed the international accounting and legal functions of a leading Australian franchise company.

Shane’s role includes financial systems and control, taxation, and the provision of industry-leading financial reporting to clients. Guardian understands the importance of effective management reporting, systems and documentation and is committed to accurate, on-time reporting.

“Professional childcare centre management requires a balance of a great team, a caring approach to children and excellent systems and processes to ensure a professional and viable operation – and to do so with a genuine understanding and sensitivity to the needs of staff, parents and children.”

Jeannine Galea – National Operations Manager

Jeannine worked as an early childhood qualified professional for 6 years before joining one of the largest childcare management companies in 1995 as a Centre Director. She subsequently moved through various senior management roles within the organisation which lead to the position as Operations Manager. More recently, Jeannine held the position of Nation Operations Manager and Human Resource & Training Manager for a leading Seniors’ Rental Accommodation Company.

Her passion for providing quality early learning and care to long day care, before and after school care and pre-schools has drawn her to back to the sector and Guardian is delighted to have Jeannine leading the operations team.

As National Operations Manager with Guardian Childcare Alliance, Jeannine is responsible for monitoring and improving programming quality, staff management and leadership and auditing and compliance at centre level as well as contributing to the development and implementation of Guardian’s overall standards and procedures.

“Childcare is a people industry and we take great care in attracting, retaining and developing our team here at Guardian – we take our responsibilities very seriously but we must also ensure that our Centres are fun for team members, parents and of course for the children placed in our care.”

Helen Baker – Quality Manager

Helen commenced her Early Childhood career in 1995 with a large National Child Care company as an Assistant and then as a Group Leader, Assistant Director and Director.

During the company’s period of growth Helen held many positions; Assistant Regional Manager, Regional Manager and Staffing Officer before transferring to South Australia to implement the companies Quality Assurance and Accreditation systems.

During this time the company acquired and merged with other companies and Helen assisted with the acquisition process Australia wide. This included all aspects of centre operations, staffing and professional development for all staff in the areas of administration, centre policies and procedures, programming and quality systems.

In 2006 Helen transferred to the National Office in Queensland to undertake a senior managerial role. Helen’s role encompassed every aspect of delivering a high quality service from developing polices and procedures, administering the company’s quality assurance program, assisting centres with Accreditation, implementing a company curriculum and implementing Professional Development nationally.

More recently Helen held the role of National Quality and Compliance Manager. This role encompassed a holistic approach to compliance, from state licensing and regulations to federal compliance with the delivery of Quality Child Care.

Helen’s philosophy is very simple; happy staff, happy children and happy parents. Her belief and passion are the children, and everyday Helen strives to make a difference to each and every Childs life through her role as Guardian’s Quality Manager.

Linda Bailey – Accountant, GCA Central Support Office

Linda has responsibility for maintaining Guardian’s accounting records and producing monthly client reports. Prior to joining Guardian, Linda was a client reporting supervisor with Peppercorn Management Group, where she supervised the production of accounts and reports for private investors.

Linda also spent several years previously working for a large chartered accounting firm, where she was primarily involved in the preparation of client accounts and taxation reports.

Sarah Tullberg – Regional Manager, Melbourne

Sarah Tullberg is one of the regional managers for Melbourne and joined the team in 2008. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Education and been in the child care industry for the past 7 years. Previously to the early childhood industry Sarah worked as a Secondary Teacher in a Private School and changed careers upon having a family.

Sarah has experience in working on the floor in rooms, Assistant Manager, Centre Manager, Area Manager and now Regional Manager within this field.

Sarah has previously held management experience with another company for 2 years before joining the Guardian Childcare Alliance team. Sarah has a genuine passion for the education of all ages of children.

Sarah spends time in each service under her management, developing, supporting and training our staff. She constantly evaluates and looks at new ways and ideas to improve our centres, our practises and our programs, whilst also supporting families.

Kathleen Pistone – Regional Manager, Melbourne

As Regional Manager for Melbourne, Kathleen joined the Guardian Childcare Management Team in 2008. Kathleen holds an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services and has been working in the child care industry for 13 years.

Previous to working with Guardian, Kathleen worked in a management role for 3 years. Upon commencing with Guardian, Kathleen managed one of Guardian’s high profile centres in Brighton, building a fantastic reputation within the community. Kathleen spends time in each service under her management, developing, supporting, training staff and providing close guidance with the Accreditation process.

Kathleen is constantly evaluating and looking at new ways to improve our centre’s, and ensure they are providing the highest quality care, through practices and programs. Kathleen is very passionate about the childcare industry and promotes strong relationships with staff and families. Kathleen is a confident, friendly and outgoing person who believes in effective leadership and strives to maintain this within our centre’s.

Louisa Maloney – Regional Manager, Queensland

Louisa Maloney is the regional manager for Guardian Childcare Alliance in Queensland and has been working in the childcare industry for 22 years. Louisa currently holds a Diploma in childcare and a Certificate 4 in workplace training and assessment.

Louisa started out as an assistant, worked as a group leader before moving onto the role of a centre manager for many years. Louisa has always been very passionate about the childcare industry in making sure her centres are always providing a high quality of care at all times. She also enjoys supporting the staff and guiding them to be the best they could be.

The relationship between the families and the children within each centre is also important to Louisa and she works very hard with the staff to ensure they are also supporting the families during their child’s time at the centre. Louisa’s last position involved travelling around Australia and New Zealand training centre directors and setting up brand new childcare centres. This was a fantastic opportunity for her to be able to get to know all the different regulations in each state. To set up a brand new centre and be there for it’s opening and seeing all the staff and children settling in. Louisa also met some great and caring childcare workers and had the opportunity to see some beautiful places both in Australia and New Zealand.

Kim Noble – Regional Manager, Queensland

Kim is a highly motivated management professional with over 17 years experience in the child care industry, with extensive experience and success in management, quality assurance, compliance standards, staff recruitment and staff development and training.

Kim began her child care career as a Group Leader then progressed through the ranks until becoming a Regional Manager in Queensland and in NSW. Kim holds two teaching degrees and an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services.

Kim is an advocate for all children and is extremely passionate about the continued growth of the child care industry. Kim believes in building strong relationships with staff and families to ensure each child receives a holistic approach to care.

Alex Sofopoulo – Regional Manager, New South Wales

Having worked in the childcare industry since 1999, Alex holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and is currently studying a Bachelor of Social Science and Psychology. Alex has worked in a variety of diverse roles and areas within the industry.

She has worked as a room leader, authorised supervisor and centre manager and has also worked for a small family company helping to establish childcare centres in the heart of Sydney.

Alex’s role prior to working with Guardian was in a welfare setting focusing on children at risk and empowering families. Alex has a strong commitment to providing high quality care, a passion for developing centres to their greatest potential and aims to establish strong relationships each centre family.

Amanda Reberger – Office and Development Manager

Amanda is responsible for managing the Central Support Office & managing Guardian’s new and current developments as they come on Board. She also assists the Regional Managers with their daily duties while they are out & about within the centres.

Previously to joining Guardian Childcare Alliance, Amanda was employed within the Aged Care Industry for 5 years as the Executive Assistant & Human Resource Coordinator with one of Australia’s largest management companies of rental accommodation for seniors.

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