Nine educators who know every child at Rachel’s Place by name — and who mostly stay for years.
Continuity is one of the few things in early education that research is unanimous about, so we protect it. Each group has a lead educator who stays with those children through the year, and our kindergarten program is delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
All educators hold current qualifications, blue cards, and first aid, asthma and anaphylaxis training. Beyond the paperwork: they are people who like children’s company, which turns out to be the hardest thing to hire for.
Centre Owner & Educational Leader
Rachel opened Rachel’s Place in 2017 and still works alongside the team every week. As educational leader she mentors educators, keeps our program honest, and drives the Forest School philosophy that shapes so much of what we do. She is also the person most likely to be found knee-deep in the sandpit negotiating a dam project.
Centre Director & Kindergarten Teacher
Kate (they/them) leads our kindy-approved program and looks after the day-to-day running of the centre. They are calm in the middle of anything, fiercely committed to children’s right to be heard, and the person families most often thank for making a tricky transition feel simple.
Assistant Centre Director & Kindergarten Assistant
Orawan keeps the centre running smoothly and supports the kindergarten program alongside Kate. She has a gift for noticing the child who needs a quiet moment, and a bilingual, culturally rich presence that our families value deeply.
Lead Educator — Junior Kindy
Kai leads our Junior Kindy group, where friendship is the main event. They plan long, generous projects, take children seriously as thinkers, and are usually the first to say yes to a plan involving mud, rope or a very large cardboard box.
Lead Educator — Pre-Kindy (2 year olds)
Zoe holds our youngest group with warmth and a steady routine. She is patient with big feelings, brilliant at settling new children, and believes strongly that two year olds can do far more for themselves than we tend to expect.
Assistant Childcare Educator
An brings gentle, unhurried energy to the room and a real eye for detail. She is often found sitting alongside a child working on something difficult, offering just enough help and no more.
Assistant Childcare Educator
Monica is warmth in person — the first to greet a family at the gate and remember what happened at home last weekend. She loves music, movement and any activity involving singing loudly outdoors.
Assistant Childcare Educator
Jiexia supports children across our groups with quiet consistency. She has a lovely way of extending play with one well-timed question, and shares her language and culture generously with the children.
Assistant Childcare Educator
Kayla is playful, energetic and endlessly willing to be part of whatever the children invent. She is a strong advocate for outdoor play and for letting children finish what they’ve started.
We’re always glad to hear from educators who want to work in a small, well-supported centre with a serious outdoor program.
