Staff at Nerang Little Gems Child Care
Jayne – Centre Director- In Child Care Since 1998 – Advanced Diploma Qualified
Hi, my name is Jayne. I am your Centre Director at Little Gems.
I am very excited to be a part of the Little Gems family and build relationships with everyone! I have been working in Early Education for over 26 years and have experience with every age group and working in management. I hold an Advanced Diploma in Child Care.
I am originally from Tasmania and have been on the Gold Coast for 25 years. I have two teenage daughters that keep me busy with all of their sports. One wants to be a Matilda while the other wants to play WNBL in America, they have high hopes and ambitions as I do with my passion for working with children. I want the best for every child in my care and I am hopeful the impact I have on children will encourage every child to be strong, independent, resilient, kind and fabulous humans.
My strengths are within my relationships with families, children and the community. I aim to build upon these as I make friendships and bonds with all the new amazing people at Little Gems. I can’t wait to meet everyone, so please come and say hello.
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
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.
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.
Bumble Bees – 2 Years to 3 Years
Dragonflies – 2.5 Years to 4 Years
Grasshoppers – 4 Years to 5 Years
Dani- Early Childhood Teacher – In Child Care Since 2021 – Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood
Hola! I’m Daniela, and I am originally from Colombia. Back in my country, I finished my first degree in journalism and decided to move to Australia to improve my second language; however, I fell in love with this country, the people and the culture, and I decided to stay to call Australia my home. Starting a new life in Australia, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher; I was always inspired by children’s unlimited energy, curiosity, and excitement for life. Now, it has been 4 years working with children, and I am super excited to be a part of the team here at Little Gems. As a Kindergarten teacher, I love to provide a warm and welcoming environment for the children and their families. I believe an early learning environment is a wonderful experience in a child’s life to ensure they are offered the best opportunities to reach milestones and development through their early years. Building strong and trusting relationships is fundamental in ensuring children feel safe and secure in their learning environment, which opens up a world of opportunity for a child to thrive with confidence and surety. I like the children to have endless open-ended opportunities to explore their environments.
I believe in the ‘Reggio Emília’ approach, where I am a partner in their learning process. The children are the ones who guide experiences, open-ended discovery, and problem-solving. Also, I understand that children learn within the context of their family and community. My goal is to form partnerships with families and ensure the best possible learning for each child. My pedagogy focuses on Australia’s multicultural society, embracing each child’s heritage, history, and language. I want the children to understand what impact they can make on the planet by providing them with sustainable practices and encouraging them to become environmentally friendly and aware. Most of all, I want each child to understand their importance and capability. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. I am truly looking forward to being a part of your child’s learning journey in the Grasshoppers room, and I cannot wait to witness their achievements.
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