Diletta Lanciana – Executive Manager, Children’s Services
Driven by her passion to help support and empower individuals to be the best they can be, Diletta Lanciana spent the earlier part of her career as a social worker in various roles supporting community health, aged care and young mums in the Yarra Valley.
Dilettta then turned her focus to early childhood, gaining extensive experience in leadership roles at Kids on Collins and Little Flyers. Diletta is a strong advocate for the importance of the early years in children’s development and believes that all children should have equal opportunities for learning. She feels privileged to be part of Cire, ‘an innovative and inspiring organisation, committed to providing flexible learning environments for the community across all ages and abilities’.
“It is hugely rewarding to be part of Cire and see children and individuals develop lifelong skills.”
Amanda Quilty – Director, Cire Children’s Centre Mt Evelyn
With a career spanning more than 26 years in the early childhood sector, Amanda Quilty has gained much experience across a broad range of age groups and as a co-ordinator of outside of school hours care (OSHC). Amanda is passionate about her role as Director of the Children’s Centre at Mt Evelyn and recently completed her Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. She finds it extremely rewarding to see the growth and development of all the individual children that she has helped educate.
“Working for Cire allows me to give back to the community in which I live and work.”
Emily McDerby, Director Children’s Services Centre Yarra Junction
Emily McDerby loves her responsibilities as Director of Children Services at Yarra Junction. She experiences a great sense of pride on a daily basis, working with a team of educators who deliver a high standard of education and care for our children, families and one another.
Passionate about the importance of engaging with and supporting the wider community, Emily is determined to cast her net as far as possible to connect with families, children and businesses across our community.
She is committed to mentoring and working with a team of highly motivated educators to ensure Cire is delivering the best possible education and care to those using Cire Children’s Services.
“It is very special to lead and be part of an inspiring team dedicated to helping young children on their learning journeys, particularly in the critical early years, and engaging the wider community.”
Tara Day – Director, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
As Director of OSHC for Cire, Tara Day is driven by the positive impact of quality educational and developmental programs for primary school students. She is extremely passionate about inspiring and encouraging young people and educators alike, and sharing their experiences with the wider community.
Tara’s professional journey has been embedded in a holistic educational mindset by building team rapport and a commitment to providing tangible outcomes for each team and organisation.
Drawing on more than 10 years of experience in education, Tara has a deep appreciation for advancing communities through a collaborative approach.
“It is a privilege to be part of the Cire team, to further expand our educational services including developing future ambassadors for OSHC.”
Melissa Saaghy Walsh – Director, Cire Children’s Services Compliance
Drawing on a diverse career spanning more than 20 years in the children’s services sector, Melissa Saaghy-Walsh is the Director of Compliance at Cire Children’s Services.
Melissa’s core responsibility is to oversee and ensure compliance throughout Cire’s OSHC, occasional care and long day care services.
Her previous roles have included working her way up from untrained assistant to leadership positions, and human resources officer and area manager for ABC Learning Centres.
What Melissa finds most rewarding is seeing ‘our local children grow and develop from babies in our nursery room to wonderful, productive members of the community’. Just recently one of those ‘babies’ was a very competent relief teacher for her daughter’s physical education class at primary school!
“I love seeing our local children grow and develop from babies in our nursery room to wonderful, productive members of the community.”
