Kerri Smith, Head of Sesame Lane
Kerri is the heart and steady compass of Sesame Lane. With over 30 years in the early childhood sector, her leadership is grounded in deep experience, genuine care, and an unwavering belief in the power of early learning to shape lives. Kerri oversees all facets of Sesame Lane with a hands-on, people-first approach, ensuring every decision reflects the wellbeing of children, families, and educators alike.
What drives Kerri most is empowering educators to feel confident, supported, and proud of the work they do. She is passionate about nurturing strong teams, building leadership capability, and creating environments where educators can thrive professionally while remaining deeply connected to the children in their care. Her commitment to quality and community has seen Sesame Lane recognised with numerous industry and employer awards.
Kerri is also a tireless advocate for children and families across the Moreton Bay region, believing that strong early foundations create stronger futures. Her leadership style is warm, inclusive, and values-driven — the kind that inspires trust, loyalty, and a shared sense of purpose. In 2024, her contribution to the sector was recognised when she was awarded Moreton Bay Businesswoman of the Year, an honour that reflects both her impact and her heart.
Danielle Poole - Area Manager
Danielle brings more than three decades of experience in early childhood education, along with a deep understanding of quality standards and best practice. Having previously worked with the Department of Education, rating early learning centres against the National Quality Standard, Danielle offers invaluable insight and guidance to the services she supports.
At the core of Danielle’s work is a strong belief that children deserve safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environments where they are seen, heard, and valued. She works closely with educators to support reflective practice, strengthen quality outcomes, and build confidence in meeting and exceeding regulatory standards.
Danielle is known for her calm presence, thoughtful leadership, and genuine care for both educators and children. She takes great pride in mentoring teams, supporting their professional growth, and helping them feel capable and supported in their roles — because when educators feel confident, children flourish.
Kate Wilson - Area Manager
Kate brings over 25 years of experience to her role, with a strong background in financial management, staffing, and recruitment within the early childhood sector. Her practical knowledge and strategic thinking help ensure services are well supported, sustainable, and positioned to deliver the best outcomes for children and families.
Kate is deeply passionate about supporting educators behind the scenes, understanding that strong systems, staffing stability, and thoughtful resourcing allow educators to focus on what matters most — nurturing children’s learning and development. She works closely with leadership teams to build confidence, clarity, and capability across all operational areas.
Warm, approachable, and solutions-focused, Kate is a trusted support for services navigating both everyday challenges and long-term planning. Her work helps create calm, well-organised environments where educators feel supported and families feel confident in the care their children receive.
Rhys Wain, Area Manager
Rhys brings a contemporary and practical perspective to his role, having previously worked as an educator and Early Childhood Teacher. His firsthand experience in services allows him to deeply understand the realities educators face and the importance of feeling supported, heard, and valued.
Rhys is passionate about service development and has played a key role in supporting the growth of new Sesame Lane services. He works alongside teams to build strong foundations, foster positive cultures, and ensure environments are set up for success from the very beginning.
Approachable and collaborative, Rhys is committed to empowering educators to be the best they can be for children and families. He believes that strong leadership, clear support, and shared purpose create learning environments where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn.
Michelle Rogers - Area Manager
With over 28 years in the early childhood sector and three qualifications to her name, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and pedagogical expertise to Sesame Lane. She has a strong focus on teaching practice, staff development, and creating positive, inclusive learning environments for children and educators alike.
Michelle is deeply committed to supporting educators to grow in confidence and skill, believing that reflective practice and strong relationships are the foundation of quality early learning. She works closely with teams to strengthen pedagogy, support professional development, and foster environments where curiosity, kindness, and connection thrive.
Her leadership style is warm, encouraging, and deeply values-driven. Michelle is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and wellbeing, and she takes great pride in helping educators feel inspired and supported to deliver meaningful learning experiences for children and families across the Moreton Bay region.
Mandy Alborn, Educational Mentor
Mandy brings more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education and a lifelong passion for learning. With a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and currently completing a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at USC, Amanda offers a thoughtful, reflective, and evidence-based approach to mentoring and support.
Amanda is deeply committed to supporting educators in their professional journeys, helping them strengthen practice, build confidence, and feel empowered in their roles. She has a particular passion for understanding children’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, and development, and works closely with teams to support inclusive, responsive learning environments.
Warm, compassionate, and deeply knowledgeable, Amanda is a strong advocate for children, educators, and families alike. Her work supports educators to feel capable, confident, and inspired — ensuring children across the Moreton Bay region receive the care, understanding, and respect they deserve.
