Staff at Nerang Little Gems Child Care

Elle – Centre Director – In Child Care Since 2007  – Diploma Qualified/Bachelor of Early Childhood Qualified

Hello Families, Friends and Community of Nerang,

It is an absolute pleasure to introduce myself, I am Eloise and I love to be called Elle. I have been blessed with passion and drive in guiding and implementing Early Years Framework along with children’s wellbeing, learning and development. I have been in the early years sector for 17 years and hold my Certificate III, Diploma and I am also studying my Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. I am happily married with 2 beautiful boys, Max and Freddie.

My leadership style is to motivate, collaborate and to be inspirational. I am dedicated to the early years and I have been the key educator in classrooms from 0 to 5 years as well as leading and mentoring fellow educators in my role as the Educational Leader. Together we have implemented a high-quality programs for children.

I love to work within the community and support families where I can, I have had the honor of working very closely with the inclusion support teams and medical practitioners to cater for children with unique skills and development needs.

I am so thrilled to be your Centre Director at Little Gems Nerang and thank you for trusting your precious little ones with us. I look forward to working closely with you all and would like Little Gems Nerang to become your home away from home.

Ash – Assistant Director/Educational Leader – In Child Care Since 2009  – Advanced Diploma Qualified

I’m Miss Ash, and I am the new Assistant Centre Director and Educational Leader at Little Gems Nerang. I am a proud mum of three amazing children and when I’m not immersed in the world of early childhood education you will find me enjoying going for walks, rocking the dance floor with some rock and roll moves, or cozying up for a good movie. I hold my Advanced Diploma in Early childhood Education and with over 20 years’ experience in the early childhood industry, I have had the joy of working with all age groups, and in a variety of positions from Multiage Educator to Centre Manager. My passion lies in guiding and supporting children to become confident, independent, and capable learners. The highlight of my day is witnessing the children’s beautiful smiles while sharing in their excitement as they make discoveries and master new skills. I believe in providing children with rich opportunities to connect with the world around them, fostering a love for learning and exploration. I can’t wait to meet you all.

Caterpillars Room – 6 weeks to 15 months

Krystle- Educator – In Child Care Since 2022 – Studying Diploma/Certificate III Qualified

Hello,

My name is Krystle and I’m thrilled to be part of the Little Gems Nerang team, where I can engage young minds and make a positive impact on their early education journey. As an educator, I believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment that fosters each child’s unique potential.

My philosophy is centred on the holistic development of children, encompassing their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. I understand that every child is an individual, and I am dedicated to providing support that caters to their specific needs and interests.

I strongly believe that children learn best though play and hands-on experiences. By providing a range of stimulating and developmentally appropriate activities, I aim to ignite their natural curiosity and promote a love for lifelong learning. I encourage children to explore, experiment, and express themselves creatively, as these experiences are essential for their overall development.

I prioritise building positive relationships with both children their families with open communication and collaboration with parents/ caregivers as this is crucial in creating a strong support system for each child. I strive to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where families feel comfortable and valued, knowing that their input is highly valued and respected.

My goal as an educator at Little Gems Nerang is to inspire a love for learning, promote holistic development, and empower children to reach their full potential. It is a joy to work with such a talented team and such incredible children within our centre.

Trish – Educator – In Child Care Since 2020 –  Certificate III Qualified

Hi everyone,

My name is Trish and I’m happy to be part of this wonderful service at little Gems Nerang. I completed my certificate III in Early Childhood Education in December 2022. Originally from South Australia and a mum of 4, I have settled in well here on the Gold Coast.

My philosophy is to focus on providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. I believe that children should be encouraged to express their ideas and feelings and should be provided with opportunities to develop their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical skills. I strive to create an atmosphere of respect and acceptance, where children are given the opportunity to explore and express themselves in a safe and secure environment. I also strive to provide a balance of structure, routines, and freedom so that children can learn and develop at their own pace.

On the weekend I love to spend time at the markets with my children and checking out local businesses and cafes here on the Gold Coast. I enjoy going to the beach and checking out new playgrounds and having that chilled out weekend watching movies and relaxing at home.

My favourite activity to do with the children is making playdough or any other cooking experience. You will smell our cooking throughout the service.

I look forward to building relationships with your children.

Bumble Bees – 2 Years to 3 Years

Dragonflies – 2.5 Years to 4 Years

Grasshoppers – 4 Years to 5 Years

Rachel- Early Childhood Teacher – In Child Care Since 2018 – Bachelor of Early Childhood

Kia ora – Hello! I’m Rachel and I have recently moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand, where I have worked as an Early Childhood Teacher for 6 years, I am super excited to be apart of the team here at Little Gems Nerang!

Children’s boundless energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for life never fail to inspire me. Guiding them through their learning journey and helping them navigate the world is incredibly fulfilling. I understand that it’s not just about imparting knowledge on them; it’s also about gaining valuable insights from their unique perspectives. They inspire me to embrace open-mindedness, practice patient, and never lose my sense of fun! Working with children is a true passion! I’m dedicated to establishing a loving, supportive and safe environment where children can grow, explore, have fun, and feel secure.

As an Early Childhood teacher, I believe that all children are unique individuals who already possess vast amounts of knowledge. It is my responsibility to understand and support each individual child’s needs and to encourage and develop their ability to share their ideas, skills, and attitudes, which foster a love of learning. I am dedicated to establishing a loving, supportive and safe environment where children can grow, explore, have fun, and feel secure.

As a strong advocate of play-based learning, children need opportunities where they are free to create, explore and make discoveries through rich experiences. I ensure the learning environment provides opportunities that emphasises hands-on, experimental learning that encourages exploration, curiosity, and creativity. I believe in the holistic development of children in a socio-cultural and inclusive environment, where every aspect of the child’s world is included and is a part of their learning journey.

Centre Support Educators

Dana – Educator – In Child Care Since 2009 – Advance Diploma Qualified

Howdy, My name is Dana (pronounced Darna – I know, it’s a tricky one) I am excited to be a part of Little Gems Nerang. We have a wonderful service here, full of dedicate, caring and competent staff who all look forward to the exciting growth and development coming our way! I have been a local pretty much my whole life and after travelling to some crazy places, my husband and I decided to settle down on the Gold Coast and have children. After 10 years as a stay-at-home mum to 4 children under 5 years of age and not wanting to return to my previous career in journalism, I began my Cert 3 when my youngest decided she didn’t want to be home (she wanted to be a big girl and go to kindy) and progressed to my Diploma and Advanced Diploma. My philosophy is to focus on providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. I believe that children should be encouraged to express their ideas and feelings and should be provided with opportunities to develop their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical skills. I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride, wonder and respect.

One of my all-time favourite quotes is basically my philosophy in a nutshell,

‘Children protect what they love.

They love what they know.

They know what they are taught.

Teach them well and they will save the world’.

Dr David Suzuki

I look forward to getting to know all our families, new and old, and growing and thriving together.

Stay awesome!

Yours sincerely, Dana

Georgia – Educator – In Child Care Since 2024 – Studying Certificate III

Hi there, my name is Miss Georgia. I have recently begun my Certificate III in Early Childhood and am so excited and enthusiastic about this new venture. I am the port of call for family and friends babysitting and enjoy looking after all my cousins, nieces and nephews in my spare time. I love camping, motorbike riding, swimming at the beach and love adventures learning new skills. I’m bright and out there and love meeting new people. I really look forward to working alongside all the families and children at Little Gems Nerang and becoming a part of the community.