MEET OUR PASSIONATE EDUCATORS
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
TABITHA MANN
Location: Canberra, ACT
Tabitha is a very creative person, has a Bachelor Degree in Photography as well as being a practicing artist.
The children at Tabitha’s Creative Care experience messy, natural and artistic play each and every day. They engage with their local community weekly at playgroups as well as visiting galleries to inspire us in our art studio and other exhibits like Questicon and natural parks.
Children explore all of their senses in the large nature based outdoor yard, where loose parts and open-ended resources are a big part of the play each day.
Children practice their artistic skills in the outdoor art studio, cook and clean in the mud kitchens, make music at the music wall and have a go balancing on the loose parts balance beams.
The inside environment is bright, colourful and nurturing. Children’s recent artworks and family photographs are proudly on display. Children can read a books inside the teepee, engage with provocations, choose a basket off the shelf to play with and dance or do some yoga!
Tabitha believes in creating a learning environment where children are free to explore, create and build upon their natural strengths and abilities.
NEW SOUTH WALES
DEBBIE HARDIE
Location – Coffs Harbour, NSW.
Debbie offers experiences using natural resources and provides opportunities for children to learn through the exploration of the natural world.
The children also have lots of fun with music, dance, singing and imaginative play.
At Debbie’s place the focus is on learning, developing values and life skills in a fun environment.
Debbie also values networking with other educators to share ideas and embrace new ones. This is one of the reasons Debbie joined Inspired
Family Day Care.
CHRISTIE MACSWEEN
Location – West Gosford, NSW.
Embraced Family Daycare is founded on the idea of mothering the mother. Whether it be returning to work, or just needing a couple of days to yourself (which everyone needs!) I am here for you.
I am passionate about providing a nurturing environment for your children and mine, and giving you the support that you need.
I am here to give you the space to refill your cup, so that you can be the best parent to your children.
I am also here to give unconditional love to the children, so that they are safe, secure and connected and forming those beautiful, positive neural pathways which will serve them for the rest of their lives.
One of the most important parts of our philosophy is that we see children as children, and not tiny adults. Having realistic expectations of the children helps to guide them in their learning as well as in their emotional needs – which go hand in hand.
My role as the educator, first and foremost, is to form a strong connection with the children. I will sensitively guide the children in their learning, creating rich environments for learning and expressing.
Mindfully observing the children allows the educator to be sensitive and respectful, knowing when to step in and when to allow the children to direct their own learning, creating the perfect balance.
I view myself as a co-learner, coming from a place of curiosity and wonder. It’s not about having all the answers but asking all the questions.
Provoking deeper thought, curiosity and wonder is what childhood is all about.
JANELLE DUNCAN
Location – Googong NSW (near ACT border)
Outdoors in the natural environment is where I like to be. My family and I have spent many weekends and holidays camping by a river, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors.
Now that our three children are independent young adults, my husband Steve and I enjoy the fun of the outdoors with our Golden Retriever, Gracie.
At Curious by Nature, children enjoy a calm, relaxed home with plenty of opportunity to be outside. Children have time and freedom to explore; choose activities and challenge themselves.
Sensory exploration and taking risks are encouraged. Yes, that means children get messy and may suffer bumps and scrapes as they test their capabilities.
Routines and programs guide our day, with scope for change as the children’s interests evolve.
Children have daily access to a range of activities, such as sensory play; gardening; construction; loose parts; imaginative play; art/creativity; full body movement; stories and music. Nutritious meals and adequate rest help little bodies grow. Curious by Nature will provide morning and afternoon tea; lunch and a rest period.
At Curious by Nature we connect with our local community and the wider Family Day Care community, through excursions to parks; reserves; creeks and many other destinations; as well as visits with other Family Day Care services. I hold my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. I also have experience in the primary school setting and supporting children with special needs.
QUEENSLAND
EMMA NALL
Location – Bunya, QLD
I was passionate about setting up this service so that children could benefit from a small group setting that meets their individual learning needs within a beautiful natural environment that provokes interest, thought and discovery.
As an early childhood teacher with over 20 years experience in a variety of educational settings, my work has always been a vocation and dedication.
When living and working in the UK I trained as a forest school leader and set up a forest school linked to a kindy. This is where my love for outdoor learning began as I watched children thrive in such an environment.
The quietist of children were able to climb trees and take on the personal challenge. The loudest of children having the space and freedom that their bodies desired.
Our home offers the children attending Bush Kindy Adventures a separate and professional indoor space, large amounts of outdoor space including gardens, veggie gardens, spaces for the animals and of course the bush on our doorstep. We are fortunate enough to live in a beautiful place and be able to share this with the children that attend Bush Kindy Adventures.