I have always loved being around children, started babysitting when I was young and became an Aunty when I was 9 to two nephews that I adored.

My career with children began when I enrolled in a Certificate III Early Childhood traineeship in an Early Childhood Centre. I was 17 and had just moved out of home in Perth to Port Hedland for a new adventure. When I started working with children professionally though, I quickly realised how challenging being an Early Childhood Educator was going to be. I kept at it and my passion grew. I was soon putting my hand up for leadership roles and enrolled to study a Diploma of Early Childhood Education.

While studying, I moved my life to Darwin for more hot adventures. There I had my son Ollie when I was 19. In Darwin I worked under the mentorship of leaders with expertise in nature based learning, who helped develop my love of nature inspired education and respectful approaches to working with children.

After a short stay, I moved back home to Perth and pursued further studies while working in early childhood. I was ambitious to try new things, so I landed a job fresh out of Tafe as a trainer and assessor of Certificate III and Diploma Early Childhood students and then as an Early Childhood Consultant across WA.

I started Ecotherapy in 2022 alongside my full time employment. I wanted a creative outlet to work with children in a way that was truly my own and in harmony with the approaches I believe are in children’s best interests. Respectful relationships and intentional interactions are at the heart of my programs. Seeing and valuing each child’s uniqueness through a strengths based lens and honouring children’s innate wisdom. I find it easy to relate with and understand children who don’t fit the mould and am passionate about sharing the skills that I needed growing up as one of these children.

From a teaching perspective, I want to bring back play being all about children and honouring that play belongs to the child. Play has become commercialised, adult centred and entertainment focused. The true purpose of play needs to be protected, celebrated and showcased. I hope to do that through stripped back, experiential and authenic learning environments.

I can’t wait to welcome you and your child to my programs!