Djanangmum Preschool
Why choose our public preschool?
Djanangmum preschool is a Department of Education designated Aboriginal preschool. We are uniquely situated on our Casino Public School site, offering a seamless transition to kindergarten.
Djanangmum Preschool has a dedicated and experienced team of educators and support staff who work together to create a stimulating and caring environment that encourage experimentation, exploration and self-discovery.
We give every child the start in early childhood education. At our preschool, children explore, ask questions and grow in a safe and caring place. Our friendly team helps each child learn and feel good through fun, hands-on play that builds confidence and curiosity.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our preschool. Contact us to talk to our team, book a tour or join our waitlist.
We acknowledge all learning at Djanangmum Preschool takes place on the Bundjalung land of the Galibal people. We respect Elders both past and present and extend that respect to our children, families, and community.
At Djanangmum Preschool every Jarjum is supported on their journey to belonging, being and becoming. Our environment is welcoming and inclusive, offering a unique learning journey and respect for the needs, cultures, faiths and experiences of all Jarjums. The language of our Galibal mob and ways of being are important to us and embedded in everything we do.
We believe that children learn best through play. Our program and learning environment give opportunity for both planned and spontaneous experiences that allow children to explore, investigate and inquire in their own time and own way. Jarjums are encouraged to be creative and thoughtful problem solvers. Jarjums explore well-resourced play spaces, supported by a team of Educators invested in their growth and development.
We believe that families are a child’s first and primary teacher. We aspire to learn from, communicate with and include families in all aspects of their child’s learning journey. We support our jarjums in a child-safe environment, where the health, safety and well-being of all children are forefront in governance, culture, and practice. This support extends to our families, who are empowered to champion and advocate their child’s successes and challenges.
We strive to develop a sense of wonder, belonging and love of nature in all jarjums, so they will become active citizens and develop a respectful attitude towards the environment, ensuring a sustainable future.
We believe positive and well-planned transitions ensure continuity of learning and support the wellbeing of each child. We connect with local community organisations and contribute as part of our wider school community. Our Jarjums progressively grow in confidence as they develop connections and relationships within this space.
Preschool days and hours
Our preschool is open for 6 hours a day, on the same days as all NSW public schools.
Our opening hours are: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
To learn about our preschool hours, please contact us.
What group will you be in?
Jungbung Group attends preschool on Mondays, Tuesdays and alternating Wednesdays.
Gurrahman Group attends preschool on Thursdays, Fridays and alternating Wednesdays
Information Booklets
Fees
Attendance
Public preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start school.
Children can enrol from the beginning of the school year if they turn 4 years of age before 31 July that year.
Policies and Procedures
Procedures and policies are in place to make sure your child remains safe and well at school.
- Acceptance and refusal of authorisations
- Administration of first aid procedure
- Dealing with complaints localised procedure
- Dealing with infectious diseases procedure
- Dealing with medical conditions in children procedure
- Delivery and collection of children
- Emergency and evacuation procedure
- Enrolment and Orientation
- Environmental sustainability
- Excursions procedure
- Governance and management of the service
- Incident, injury, trauma, and illness procedure
- Interactions with children procedure
- Nappy changing and toilet training procedure
- Nutrition, food and beverages and dietary requirements
- Payment of fees
- Planning and documentation procedure
- Providing a child safe environment procedure
- Safe use of digital technologies
- Self assessment and continuous improvement procedure
- Sleep and rest for children procedure
- Staffing procedure
- Sun protection procedure
- Toileting and showering procedures
- Water safety procedure
Meet our team
Hello my name is Jackie Nilon.
I’m the Principal at Casino Public School as well as Educational Leader, Nominated Supervisor, and Responsible Person at Casino Public School Djanangmum Preschool.
I hold my Diploma of Teaching (Primary) and Bachelor of Education (Primary).
I believe people are the most important part of any educational setting; children, staff and families. By creating a warm and culturally safe environment to learn, children will grow emotionally, socially and academically, families will feel valued as educational partners and staff will be inspired to make a difference in the lives of children each day.
Hello, my name is Emily Roalfe.
I work Monday - Friday as a Preschool Teacher at Djanangmum Preschool.
My role consists of teaching the Thursday - Friday Gurrahman group, ensuring compliance tasks are completed and working on projects that support culture and wellbeing for our Jarjums.
I am passionate about building the foundations for lifelong learning, through a rich play-based environment. I believe our Jarjums learn best through play and inquiry and embed this ethos into my teaching practice. Every child deserves to be seen, known, and valued, and I strive to build strong connections in all that I do. Recognising that families are a child's first teacher; I am committed to working collaboratively to support our Jarjums on their learning journey.
Hello, my name is Kelly Oke.
I work Monday to Wednesday as a Preschool Teacher at Djanangmum Preschool.
In 2025, I will be teaching the Junbung group.
I hold a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Certificate III in Early Childhood. I have worked as a Primary School Teacher for 17 years, spending most of my time teaching K-2.
As a preschool educator, I believe in the power of play-based learning as a vital tool for fostering children's natural curiosity and creativity. I strive to create safe, supportive, and respectful environments that nurture each child's unique development socially, emotionally, and academically. By valuing every child's voice and perspective, I aim to empower them to explore, connect, and grow confidently in their early learning journey.
Hello, my name is Belinda Hickling.
I have been working at Djanangmum Preschool for the past 8 years as the Aboriginal Educational Officer (AEO) and look forward to spending time with our Jarjums again in 2025.
I currently hold a diploma in Child and Family Youth Intervention a certificate IV in Family and Community Services, and a Certificate 3 in Childcare.
I am a Bundjalung woman, born, raised and part of the Casino community. I have a partner and 2 beautiful children, who also attended Casino Public School. The highlight of my role is teaching the Jarjums local Galibal language and yarning around the campfire in our nature garden.
Hello, my name is Jodie Leadley.
I am a support educator (SLSO) at Djanangmum Preschool.
I hold my certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and have also spent time in the primary school as a Student Learning Support Officer (SLSO).
I have worked at Casino Public School for four years, and have a passion for the Early Learning Preschool space.
How to enrol
Unlike NSW public schools, there are no intake areas for public preschools. Enrolment is on application only.
Enrolling in a preschool within a school does not guarantee a place at that school for Kindergarten.
Book a tour or join our waitlist
Come and see our preschool in action. Talk to our team and secure your child’s place.