Koala room – Ages 3-5 

My name is Sarah and I am the Director here at The Hills little learners. I have been in early education for over 7 years. I hold a Diploma in Early childhood education and care as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. I have a passion for leadership and believe in creating a safe, supportive and engaging environment for everyone who comes to the centre, and building and maintaining positive and meaningful relationships with families and children.

I believe that part of our duty of care as educators is to equip children for life’s challenges and experiences by building a sense of identity and wellbeing through meaningful interactions and a holistic approach to each individual child’s needs. I also believe the environment is the ‘third teacher’ and that the environment should be flexible, supportive, nurturing and open ended; which encourages children to engage, interact freely and explore individually or in a group as play is the way that children make sense of the world in which they live.

My name is Aiken Johnson and I am the Lead Educator in the Koalas Room. I have experience as a Primary School teacher in New Zealand, and have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

I have a passion for working with children, and thoroughly enjoy providing them with engaging and interest led opportunities that enable them to succeed and learn. My teaching philosophy of education is that all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Being a mum of two sons myself, I strive to create a supportive and nurturing atmosphere where children can meet their full potential.