Assistant Centre Manager

Nike Ciotti 

Qualification: Diploma Early Childhood Education & Care

Years in Child Care: 7 Years

What have I loved most about the centre:
We ahve well sourced equipment, great outdoor area and excursions for the children to participate in each month. Our dedicated educators work very hard to settle in the children during their first initial orientation sessions.

What is my philosophy:
As a leader, it is important to be a good role model for educators and children. I believe learning is happening all the time whether it be physical, social, emotional, cognitive or through communication. It is important to include all these areas in programming to make an ongoing learning experience safe, positive and fun. I believe that a child should be taught with love and understanding. Children should be understood and guided according to researched information of children and their development. 

Lead Educator

Jehan Ahmad Toddler room 2 years – 3 years

Qualification: Diploma Children’s Services

Years in Child Care: 10 Years

What have I loved most about our Centre: I love the support from my team members and the way we work together with each another. I love the children and the relationships I build with them on a daily. Watching their growth and development warms my heart and brings me so much joy that they are growing. 

Philosophy: As an educator it is my goal to help children grow in self-confidence. Each child is an individual, I value and develop each child’s strengths, interests, skills, abilities and knowledge to extend on their learning. I believe children learn through play. I provide learning opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine. I believe in cultural diversity and respect and celebrate the benefits of each child’s culture. I believe the play space environments children are exposed to plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program that I complete.

I believe learning in an early childhood environment is done most successfully through stations that can be visited and explore. I ensure the play spaces and environments are inviting to support children’s social and communication skills, physical abilities and cognitive development. I will work closely and build and challenge children’s learning. I like to collaborate and work closely with families with building a good relationship, as this allows my program to run smoothly and accordingly to children’s needs and focus points. I am very passionate about children and have a great love for my job where I can help and assist children in their lifelong journey blossom. 

Educational Leader

Chris Halliwell

Qualification: Diploma in early childhood

Years in Child Care: 12 years in the field

What I love most about the centre: I have been here since May 2019. At that time, it was still an almost brand-new centre. It has been amazing to be part of its growth and seeing how far we have all grown together. I have always loved the feel of a small centre, so this has been a perfect fit for me. I am looking forward to seeing it continue to grow and become the best centre possible for all of the wonderful children and families!

Philosophy: I believe that children deserve to grow and learn at their own pace. That children are individuals who are all capable of amazing things! As educators, I believe it is our duty to provide a rich learning environment for each child by building quality relationships with them as well as quality environments for them to explore. We do this through active listening, planning, communication, role-modelling, and having fun with the children!

Throughout early education, we can offer children an opportunity to learn important social skills at a young age. Together, the children learn how to thrive in a community. Important skills such as empathy, sharing, taking turns, and even sustainability is learnt throughout their journey as they prepare for primary school. All these skills are essential for success as they get older. I believe that early childhood educators are very lucky to be able to help guide children in this journey!

Early Childhood Teacher

Channa Hem

Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education 

Years in Child Care: 12 Years

What I love most about the centre: I love the sense of community as you feel as soon as you enter our doors. The fun and warm energy that is unique to our centre and creates a fabulous foundation for meaningful relationships is something that I look forward to each day. 

Philosophy: My teaching philosophy encompasses values of love and respect for people, things and places. I believe that children are confident and capable if we let them and I value strong and meaningful relationships with all children as they need to feel that their emotional and physical needs are being met first before any real learning can take place.

The relationship that children have with the environment of the classroom is equally as important as the teaching and learning that takes place through teacher and child interactions, thus we spend a lot of time ensuring that our classroom environment provides children with opportunities to lead their own learning with and alongside their peers, as well as time and space to explore, experiment and build their own working theories about their world. I believe in honest and respectful conversations with children, families and other educators that leads to the best outcomes for all children that belong to this community of learners.