northern beaches childcare centre melissa

Melissa Cooper

OWNER / DIRECTOR / EDUCATIONAL LEADER

I am one of the owners of mi kids as well as the director and educational leader.

Originally I started my working life as an engineer. After university, I did volunteer work in Costa Rica, teaching English at the local school. It was here that I discovered my passion for teaching! I feel in my element in the classroom and have pursued a career in education ever since.

When I returned to Australia, I undertook a Post Graduate Diploma in Primary School Education and worked in state and private schools before taking some time out to have my own three boys who are now all at school. In 2014, I completed my Diploma in Early Childhood and began work as an Early Childhood Teacher.

With three boys of my own – all with different talents and styles of learning – I realised the need for a system in which the learning needs of all children are met. Which is why I created a Centre driven by the same philosophy. All three of my boys also went through child care and it was these experiences which inspired me to create my own unique Centre which is true to my ethos.

Melissa T

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / INCLUSION SUPPORT

I am passionate about providing children individualised care, support and understanding so that they can have the best start to their lives. I believe that a child’s family unit is paramount to their development and because of this they need to know that they have non- judgemental support available to them and someone who will advocate for their child’s needs in any forum.

In my role as Inclusion Support Educator I aim to do this for children and their families and seek to provide additional support to parents by offering the Triple P Parenting Program if they should need it to further help them feel empowered in their role as parent/ caregiver.

My holistic approach sees me work side by side with allied health professionals including specialists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists who are welcomed into the centre to support children’s needs, challenges and strengths.

I seek to challenge and guide the mikids’ educators and support staff to create inclusive environments and learning opportunities that consider all children’s unique qualities meaning that they will have a greater chance to thrive and be prepared for the next stage of their lives.

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northern beaches childcare centre ben

Ben Cooper

OWNER / ADMINISTRATOR

Ben’s profile is coming soon.

Isara Crea

COOK AND SUPPORT EDUCATOR

I am another owner of mi kids as well as the cook and support educator in the Tiny Tots rooms.

Originally from Thailand where I worked in administration. I married Melissa’s brother Robert and moved to Australia to start a family 7 years ago. After having my own two boys I wanted to work in the Early Childhood Sector which inspired me to complete my Certificate 3 in Early Childhood. I love seeing children grow and develop especially in the early years where there is so much growth.

I love cooking and I can not wait to have the children participate in my daily cooking program and taste the variety of vegan/vegetarian meals which mainly feature in my weekly menu.

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northern beaches childcare centre joana

Joana

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (DIPLOMA)

What is your cultural background?
Portugese.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
Cooking is one of my passions and I Iove to educate the mi kids children about healthy choices when they eat and cook.  Every week, you can see me and the Toddler Team, guide the Toddlers in a cooking lesson, I use this opportunity to show the Toddler’s healthy alternatives like using fruit to sweeten a recipe instead of sugar.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator?
Being surrounded by children and engaging with them in their learning path.

What do you like about working at mi kids?
The owners of mi kids have created a warm and family feel environment, which I like and makes me feel as if I am part of a family.   There are a variety of cultures represented in our educational team, you can always hear them share their mother tongue to the children at mi kids which is lovely. I really enjoy being part of a multi-cultural team.

Paula

EDUCATOR (ECT)

What is your cultural background?
Colombian.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
My language, food and celebration.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator?
I love being part of children’s lives, supporting their learning and development through intentional teaching and play-based learning. I enjoy interacting with the children and their families, building strong relationships and creating a trusting community. I like seeing children’s progress and how I grow as a professional thanks to them.

What do you like about working at mi kids?
I like the working environment since we support each other. We work as a team to achieve the best outcomes for the children. Melissa Cooper inspires us so much by developing our skills and encouraging us to give our best. The inclusion support team plays a significant role in our centre, assisting the children and educators to have a common approach that will benefit the children.

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northern beaches childcare centre denise

Denisse

EDUCATOR (DIPLOMA)

What is your cultural background? 
Peruvian.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
My language is very important to me and I enjoy sharing this with the children in the Toddler Room.  It brings me joy to hear them learn different words in Spanish.  The children love singing Spanish songs and saying the names of colours in Spanish in our morning circle time and small group times.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator? 
I love to make beautiful bonds with children, connecting and building relationships is very important in helping children settle and be part of their learning environment.  When they are learning and developing new skills, it is wonderful to be part of that journey with them.

What do you like about working at mi kids? 
Mi kids is family owned and they have created a family environment in their centre through the physical environment as well as the mi kids culture.  It is really a nice place to work in.

Sayuri

EDUCATOR (DIPLOMA)

Profile coming soon.

northern beaches childcare centre sayuri

Rachana

EDUCATOR (ECT)

What is your cultural background? 
Nepali

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
Nepal have lots of different festivals which I love to share with the whole mi kids community.  Sometimes I have given the children henna painting on their hands and I have worn the traditional clothing and shared its meaning to the children at mi kids.  The mi kids team have some special celebration days where educators can bring in their cultural dishes to share, I enjoy cooking some of my traditional dishes to share.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator? 
My father was a teacher and he inspired me on my journey. I enjoy teaching the babies and watching them develop their foundation skills for independence.  They are so capable of doing so much and are like little sponges observing and absorbing all the learning that is happening around them.

What do you like about working at mi kids? 
mi kids is a multi-cultural childcare centre with a variety of different cultures represented in their education team.  There is always opportunities for children learning the different languages presented in these cultures.  Mikids is also family owned and I love the family vibe environment.

Marieke

EDUCATOR (DIPLOMA)

What is your cultural background? 
Dutch

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
A warm, friendly and welcoming environment for both children and families.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator?
The smiles when the children come in and see us, and the cuddles when they leave at the end of the day. I feel very blessed to be such a big part of little people’s lives.

What do you like about working at mi kids?
The support from management and my colleagues, and the emphasis on sustainable and Indigenous practises.

northern beaches childcare centre michelle

Michelle

EDUCATOR (CERT 3)

What is your cultural background? 
Australian.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator? 
I love the dynamic programming of early childhood education, where a child’s interest is extended and launches into a different line of inquiry. I particularly enjoy teaching the Senior Preschoolers and getting them ready for school.  I believe that school readiness is not only numbers and letters but more importantly, the social and emotional development.  In the preschooler’s final year you see so much growth and development in building their foundation skills for Primary School. It wonderful to witness how proud the children are when they accomplish a task they couldn’t do before.

What do you like about working at mi kids? 
I really enjoy working with a great team that collaborate with me in supporting the children’s needs as well as creating amazing learning experiences that are engaging. The connections formed with the children and their families is important and makes working at mi kids and meaningful one.

Naomi

ART SUPPORT EDUCTOR (CERT 3)

What is your cultural background?
Australian.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
I acknowledge the traditional land owners and the country on which we live. I support our diverse multicultural community and the understanding that being part of the Australian culture is enhanced with the knowledge and respect for our friends and family in our community from other countries and cultures.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator?
Being an early childhood educator is very rewarding, everyday is different and I like being able to extend on the childrens interests and explore their curiosity about the world through meaningful interactions and experiences

What do you like about working at mi kids?
mi kids has a beautiful approach to the way we educate our children, this is supported by a wonderful team of educators that encourage and respect each other’s individual strengths, culture and role in the centre.

northern beaches childcare centre naomi

Shanta

EDUCATOR (ECT)

What is your cultural background?
Hindu.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
Foods, cultural wears and language.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator?
Multidimensional and multicultural approach to education children using advanced resources in teaching and learning process inspired me to get more into an early childhood educator. Also I enjoy teaching and supervise children to their understanding and learning which make me feel like I am actually growing with them.

What do you like about working at mi kids?
I love the entire Team. I get inspired with the way how Melissa Copper guides everyone and keeps updating the guidelines needed to uplift children’s learning. Inclusive practice in this centre is on the top where children are valued and equally involved with proper ratio.

Veena

EDUCATOR

What is your cultural background? 
Thai.

What part of your culture do you share with the children at mi kids?
I love singing songs and especially sharing my cultural Thai Songs.  Hearing the children sing these songs, melts my heart. Cooking is my favourite thing to do with the children, they love the sensory experiences and I especially like to use cultural ingredients from Thailand and make culture dishes with them.

What makes you passionate about an early childhood educator? 
The babies are my favourite age group.  I like to share my mother touch with them, giving them the nurture and care they need.  I feel very passionate about the connections I make with my babies and their families.  It is important to have these bonds and I feel that these families and babies are an extension of my own family.

What do you like about working at mi kids? 
I love the mi kids team, they are all so welcoming and warm.  They create a family atmosphere, always looking out  and supporting each other.  The Management team is there for you and you never feel alone which makes your work at mi kids an enjoyable and supportive one.

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