Born in Cootamundra, Ms Meares attended the very same preschool when she was little, and so did her own three children - so in reality, she has been a fixture at the school for much longer than the ten years being celebrated.

"I originally trained in Sydney and went to work at the Shepherd Centre, assisting children with hearing impairment." Ms Meares said.

"Somehow, through my husband's work, we ended up living back in Cootamundra in 1996, and our three children attended here. Once they had gone on to school, a position became available here, and it was the right time, so here I am!"

The Cootamundra Preschool runs a play-based learning program, which allows the children to do things at their own pace.

"It is such a lovely place to work, we have a very cohesive, long term staff, who are passionate about their work." Ms Meares said.

"It is such a formative stage for the children, and it is wonderful to see the difference we can make in their lives."