With a deeply personal approach to care, guided by skilled and passionate educators, we create spaces where children feel safe, valued, and free to grow.
Meet The Team
Renae Donovan
Director
Qualifications: Bachelor Teaching Early Childhood
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I am here because children bring energy, honesty and endless possibility into each day. I want 3 Bears Cottage to be a place where children feel known, families feel comfortable asking questions, and educators feel supported to do their best work.
For me, supporting children starts with supporting the people who know them best: their families. I value the conversations at drop-off and pick-up, the small updates families share, and working together when a child is finding something difficult or celebrating a new achievement. An educator can play an important part in a child’s life, but a confident, supported family has the greatest influence of all.
I believe in high expectations, flexibility and a sense of humour. In a busy service, things do not always go to plan, so we need to listen, adapt and keep working together. I want our team to be comfortable reflecting on what is working, changing what is not, and making sure our routines, language and spaces genuinely work for the children, families and educators who are here each day.
I am always looking for new ideas that could make a real difference. I enjoy reading articles, exploring the work and philosophies of services around the world, and bringing those ideas back to the team to discuss. Not every idea will suit our children, families or community, but I believe we should stay curious, keep learning and be willing to try something new when it can improve children’s experiences.
When everyone feels respected, included and able to contribute, children feel it too.
Bree Thorn
Nominated Supervisor/Educational Leader/ECT
Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 Years)
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Safety Supervision Skill Set
I am most interested in the ideas children bring with them. It might be a question they have asked, something they have found outside, a story from home or an activity they keep returning to. I enjoy noticing these moments and giving children the time, materials and encouragement to take their ideas further through drawing, building, creating, researching, storytelling and play.
Excursions are a big part of what I love about working with children. Taking children out into the community gives them real experiences to talk about, question and revisit when they return to the room. Whether we are visiting the library, walking to a local place or exploring our wider community, children learn by seeing it for themselves, meeting people and noticing the world beyond the gate.
I value an indoor–outdoor program where children can move freely between spaces and follow what suits their play. A child might be deeply involved in creating indoors, then take their idea outside to build it bigger, collect materials or work alongside friends. I want children to have room to move, make, test and change their minds — as well as calm places to pause, reset and feel comfortable when they need quiet.
Relationships guide the way I work. The small conversations with children help me understand what they are thinking and feeling, while conversations with families give me a fuller picture of who each child is beyond the room. I value working closely with my team too. When we share what we notice, support one another and stay open to new ideas, we can create experiences that feel meaningful for the children in our care.
Kim Strickland
Office Manager
Qualifications: Diploma in Business Administration, Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
The more experience I gain in this industry, the more I understand how much early education and care can shape a child’s life. It is not only the planned experiences that matter; it is the way children are spoken to, supported through difficult moments and encouraged to keep going when something feels hard. I want to model respect in my own interactions, because children learn from what they see adults do with one another.
In management, I care deeply about educator wellbeing. A positive workplace does not happen by accident. It is built when educators feel listened to, can ask for support, share ideas, have a laugh together and work through challenges without feeling alone. I want to help create that kind of team, because the way educators feel at work flows directly into the environment we create for children.
I want children to have room to play freely, particularly outdoors. Natural spaces and resources give children opportunities to get their hands dirty, test an idea, use their imagination and make their own discoveries. I do not want to step in too quickly when a child is finding something challenging. With encouragement and a supportive environment, children can try, fail, rethink their approach and try again. The pride they feel when they finally conquer something is theirs.
I also know that families are central to a child’s experience in care. I value open, honest relationships with families — the conversations that tell us how a child is feeling, what is happening at home and what support might be needed. When families feel comfortable coming to us, children benefit from the consistency, trust and security created between home and care.
Kelsey James
Office Manager
Qualifications: Study Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I believe a welcoming service begins with the people in it. Families should feel comfortable from their first conversation with us, children should be greeted with warmth, and educators should know there is someone behind the scenes who is listening, organised and ready to help.
My role in HR is about more than rosters, paperwork and processes. It is about making sure our team feels valued for the work they do each day. I am passionate about recognising effort, celebrating achievements, giving honest and helpful feedback, and making opportunities for educators to learn, grow and feel confident in their role.
Our educators are the people who create the everyday experiences children remember. When they feel respected, supported and appreciated, they can bring their best energy to the children and families they care for. I want to help build a workplace where staff feel proud to be part of the team and know that their contribution matters.
Keli Howe
Qualification: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I see every child as an individual, with their own personality, interests and way of growing. Children need to feel safe, cared for and settled before they can fully explore, build relationships and take on new challenges. I want to be a calm and reassuring presence as children develop emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually.
Play is where children make sense of the world around them. I aim to provide open-ended experiences that allow children to follow their own ideas, make choices and take responsibility in ways that are right for their age and stage. Whether they are exploring an environment, using materials in their own way or returning to something they are interested in, I want children to feel that their ideas are worth pursuing.
The environment matters to me. I love upcycling and finding useful, interesting resources at local op shops that children can recognise and use in their play. A basket, set of cups, old bag, blanket, table or collection of natural items can make a space feel more like home and give children real objects to explore, sort, carry, create with and include in their stories. I am drawn to natural materials and calm, warm spaces that feel lived-in rather than busy or overwhelming.
I also value the relationships built with parents and families. When families feel respected, listened to and comfortable sharing their thoughts, we can create a stronger experience for their child. Their ideas and input help shape what we do, because they know their child in ways that are important for us to understand.
Bronte Powick
Qualifications: Study – Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
Education has always been a major passion of mine. My study across early childhood and high school teaching has shown me how much children benefit when they are supported, encouraged and given real reasons to be curious. I want children to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their ideas and becoming involved in learning in ways that make sense to them.
I am a creative and artistic educator, and I love giving children hands-on ways to explore their own creativity. Paint, clay, collage, loose parts, drawing, construction and natural materials all allow children to make choices, test ideas and show what they are thinking. Creativity also opens up learning in other areas — children can use art, play and their imagination to explore early literacy, mathematics, science and STEM ideas without it feeling separate from what they enjoy.
I believe in an approach that allows children to flow between indoor and outdoor environments, giving them the freedom to extend their play in meaningful directions. I also find great value in excursions, as experiences beyond the learning space expose children to new places, people and ideas that they can revisit, discuss and express through their play over time.
Building genuine relationships with children and their families is important to me. These relationships help me understand each child as an individual, while also supporting them to contribute to a group. I want children to know that their thoughts are respected, their ideas have a place, and they are treated as active participants in their own learning.
Building genuine relationships with children and their families is important to me. These relationships help me understand each child as an individual, while also supporting them to contribute to a group. I want children to know that their thoughts are respected, their ideas have a place, and they are treated as active participants in their own learning.
Bayleigh Lindsay
Qualifications: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I see every child as their own person — independent, full of ideas and deserving of the time to explore the world around them in their own way. Childhood is a small but important window of time to create, imagine, play and make memories. I do not want children to be rushed through it.
I pay close attention to what children are feeling, not only what they are doing. I want children to know their emotions are safe with me, whether they are excited, frustrated, worried or proud. Being compassionate means taking the time to listen, staying alongside a child when things are hard and helping them find a way forward without making them feel small.
Fairness is especially important to me. Before I expect something from a child, I think about whether it is fair, whether it makes sense for that child and whether I can genuinely justify it. If it is not fair or cannot be explained, then it is not something I believe should be asked of a child.
I value every child’s needs, ideas and voice. My role is to remain open to different possibilities, help children feel heard and give them opportunities to discover what they are capable of.
Brittany Peacock - Maternity Leave
Qualification: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I enjoy watching children become absorbed in something that has caught their interest — an idea, a question, a new skill or a challenge they want to work through. I make space for children to explore, take a safe risk, test an idea and keep trying. The early years are a time for children to build confidence, understand who they are and discover what they enjoy.
I try not to take over too quickly. Instead, I stay alongside children: noticing what they are trying to do, offering encouragement, helping when they are stuck and sharing in the pride when they work something out for themselves.
Families are an important part of this. Building trust with families helps children settle into care and gives me a better understanding of what makes them feel comfortable, confident and supported. I value the everyday conversations and shared information that help home and care feel connected for a child.
I am naturally flexible and adaptable. I am happy to step into whatever is needed — supporting a child, helping a colleague, changing plans or taking on a task that will make the day run more smoothly. I bring this steady approach to the room so children feel welcomed, listened to and supported as they grow.
Alyssa Lane
Qualifications: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
Working with children has been my passion for more than 15 years, particularly in the preschool years when children are building friendships, confidence and a sense of themselves. I feel grateful to support children and families at this important time. 3 Bears has always felt like a second home to me, and the relationships I have built with children, families and colleagues are a big part of why I love being here.
I want every child to be able to take part in the day in a way that works for them. Children do not all learn, communicate, play or respond in the same way, and they should not be expected to. Inclusion, to me, means looking closely at the child in front of me and adjusting the environment, experience or support so they can join in, feel comfortable and experience success alongside their peers.
The joy and curiosity children bring each day continues to inspire me. I enjoy creating opportunities for children to explore their interests through play and the natural environment, whether that means moving outdoors, using open-ended materials or taking time with an idea that has captured their attention. I stay flexible because children’s needs, interests and ways of learning can change from one day to the next.
I value working closely with families. Parents know their children deeply, and the more we share through everyday conversations, the better we can support their child. I want families to feel listened to, included and confident that their child is being cared for as an individual.
Lucy Stevens
Qualifications: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I see children learning through the experiences that surround them: their play, relationships, home life, culture, extended family, friendships and community. These parts of a child’s life do not stop at the door, so I want to make room for them in the experiences and environment I provide.
I enjoy following children’s interests and using them as a starting point. When a child is curious about something, I want to offer the materials, time and new possibilities that help them explore it further. I am inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, particularly the idea that children can learn through hands-on play, creativity and investigating their own questions.
I have taken the initiative with caring for our chickens and making them a meaningful part of the children’s days. Looking after them gives children real responsibilities and something to notice, talk about and care for together. It also helps create an environment that feels alive, where children can build a connection with nature through everyday experiences.
Strong relationships are at the heart of my work. Getting to know children and building trust with their families helps me understand what each child needs to feel settled, included and ready to take part. I want children to grow in confidence, try new things and know that there are adults around them who are paying attention and care about getting things right for them.
Casandra Anderson
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I want children to feel excited about coming to 3 Bears Cottage each day. I enjoy creating a fun space where children can laugh, explore, use their imagination and become involved in the things that interest them.
I want children to feel comfortable being themselves. This means giving them opportunities to create, make choices, share their ideas and use their own skills in play. Some children may want to join in straight away, while others need time to watch, settle or find their confidence. I pay attention to these differences and support children in the way that feels right for them.
Getting to know each child and their family is important to me. The more I understand a child’s interests, thoughts and strengths, the better I can make them feel welcomed and included. I value the relationships built through everyday conversations, shared moments and seeing children grow in confidence over time.
Kennedy Lindsay
Qualifications: Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I take the time to get to know each child — what they enjoy, what they find difficult, how they communicate and what helps them feel settled. I believe children have a voice long before they can always explain how they feel. Their words matter, but so do their tears, actions, body language and changes in behaviour. A child’s cry or reaction can say a hundred things, and it is my responsibility to slow down, listen and work out what they may be trying to tell me.
I want children to know they will be heard. This may mean giving them time to find the words, noticing when they need space, supporting them to speak up, or helping them communicate in another way. When children feel understood, they are more likely to feel safe enough to join in, explore and grow at their own pace.
I enjoy creating calm, engaging experiences that build from children’s interests. Play gives children space to express themselves, work through feelings, practise new skills and keep trying when something does not come easily. I want children to feel supported by consistent, respectful interactions and to know there is an adult nearby who will listen and help.
I am honest and clear in the way I communicate, so children, families and colleagues always know where they stand with me. At the same time, I lead with compassion. I will always make time to help, step in where I am needed and go above and beyond for the people around me.
Bradley Thorn
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I enjoy watching children create their own learning moments. A game, a challenge, an idea in the block area or something happening outside can become the starting point for so much more. I follow what children are interested in and build on it, because this is often where they are most engaged and willing to keep learning.
I am a strong supporter of risky play. Children need opportunities to climb, balance, run, build, test their limits and work out what their bodies can do. With an educator nearby to keep them safe, these moments help children develop persistence, problem-solving, confidence, coordination and independence.
I am usually right in the middle of the play with the children — running, joining their games and getting involved in what they are doing. I have a quiet and gentle nature, so I try to meet children at their level, especially when something has gone wrong or feels difficult. I will sit with a child, listen and work through a problem with them for as long as it takes. Sometimes that might be five minutes; sometimes it might be thirty. What matters is that the child feels heard and that we find a way forward together.
Teyah Johnston
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I have worked in early childhood education and care since 2011, and I am still drawn to the humour, curiosity and individuality children bring to each day. As a mother of three, I understand the trust families place in educators and how important it is for parents to find a place where their child feels genuinely safe, settled and cared for.
I pay close attention to the little things — what a child keeps coming back to, what makes them laugh, what they may be finding difficult, and the details that can make their day feel more comfortable. These observations help me create experiences that connect with children’s interests and give them something meaningful to explore.
I have an inquisitive nature and enjoy wondering alongside children. I like asking questions, finding out how things work and following an idea a little further. My creativity, especially through art, is something I enjoy sharing with children. I want them to have freedom to use materials, make choices, express themselves and feel proud of what they create.
Building warm relationships with children and their families is important to me. I value the conversations, funny comments and different perspectives children share, and I want families to feel comfortable knowing their child is understood and supported.
Koopa Phoo
Qualifications: Trainee – Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I want children to walk into a space that feels warm, familiar and comfortable — somewhere they can settle in, be themselves and feel safe to explore. I take the time to notice how children learn and respond, then offer hands-on experiences that invite them to touch, make, question, try and discover.
Baking is something I love to bring into the service. There is something special about the smell of freshly baked goods moving through the room; it can make the day feel a little like visiting a grandparent’s home. Baking also gives children real things to do together: measuring, pouring, mixing, waiting, talking, following a recipe and enjoying something they have helped create. It is a simple experience that brings comfort, conversation and a sense of pride.
I value strong, trusting relationships with children and their families. When children feel understood and families feel comfortable sharing what matters to them, we can create an environment where children are supported socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. I want every child to feel heard, respected and welcomed as part of the room.
Lexi Brennan
Qualifications: Trainee – Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I want children to come into the room and feel safe, happy and comfortable enough to explore, play and grow. When children know there is an educator they can turn to, they are more likely to join in, try new things and enjoy their day.
Compassion is important to the way I work. I connect strongly with neurodivergent children and understand that some children may need more time, a different way of communicating, a quieter moment or a familiar person nearby before they feel ready. I want to be a safe person for children — someone who listens without judgement, notices when something is becoming too much and helps them feel connected rather than left out.
I aim to make every child feel valued and supported. This can be through play, a conversation, sitting alongside them, helping them join a group or simply letting them know that it is okay to be themselves. Children learn and explore in different ways, and I want the environment to make room for all of them.
Chanae Winkler - Maternity Leave
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Food Handler Basics
As a newer educator, I am still learning alongside the children every day — and I love that no two days are ever the same. I enjoy getting to know what makes each child smile, what they are curious about and the small moments that help them feel comfortable in the room.
I want children to feel welcomed when they arrive and know that they can come to me when they need help, a cuddle, someone to play with or simply someone to listen. Through play, conversation and shared experiences, I support children to try things for themselves, build confidence and enjoy discovering the world around them.
For me, working with children is about being present for their journey. I want to celebrate their wins, encourage them when something feels hard and make each day a place where they feel noticed, supported and free to be themselves.
Spencer Lindsay
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I want children to have a place where they feel comfortable exploring, discovering and working things out for themselves. Play gives children the chance to build new skills, share their ideas and keep trying when something does not go the way they expected.
I have always enjoyed tinkering — taking something apart, looking closely at how it works and working out how to put it back together. I love bringing that curiosity into play with children. Whether we are building, fixing, testing materials or trying a new way to solve a problem, I want children to feel that it is okay to ask “how does this work?”, make a mistake and have another go.
I pay attention to children’s individual interests and support them through challenges with patience, care and respect. I aim to be a positive role model who listens, encourages children to keep going and helps them feel proud of the process, not only the finished result.
Emily Brown
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I take the time to notice each child’s strengths, interests, culture and way of learning. Children do not all grow at the same pace or need the same things, so I want every child to feel seen, heard and supported as themselves.
I aim to create a warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe, secure and cared for. When children feel comfortable with the people and space around them, they are more likely to explore, build confidence and try something new.
Art and creativity are a big part of who I am. I create and sell my own original artworks, and I love bringing that passion into my work with children. I enjoy giving children the freedom to use colour, texture, materials and their imagination in their own way — without needing their work to look like anyone else’s. Art gives children a chance to communicate, experiment, feel proud of what they have made and share a little of who they are.
Eva Osten
Qualifications: Trainee – Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I love working in child care because I enjoy getting to know children and watching them grow into their own person. I want children to feel safe, cared for and comfortable enough to explore, play and learn at their own pace.
Kindness, patience and guidance are important to me. I want children to know they are protected and supported, especially when something is new, challenging or feels a little overwhelming. I enjoy encouraging children as they discover what they like, what they can do and who they are becoming.
I also bring a strong attention to detail to my work. I take pride in taking the time to complete things properly, rather than rushing through them. Whether I am preparing an experience, setting up a space or supporting a child through part of their day, I want the small details to be considered so children receive the best care and opportunities possible.
Violet Khan
Qualifications: Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
Training: First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Foundations of Child Safety, Food Handler Basics
I believe children learn best when they are actively involved in play — making choices, exploring their interests and having the freedom to express themselves in their own way. I aim to create a space where children feel comfortable to join in, take the lead and try something new, while knowing there is support nearby when they need it.
I bring a loud, lively and playful energy to the room. My love of theatre means I am always ready to sing, dance, act out a story or turn an everyday moment into something fun. Music and movement give children another way to connect, use their imagination, build confidence and express how they are feeling — especially when words are not enough.
At the same time, I pay attention to each child’s interests, strengths and abilities. Some children love to be right in the middle of the action, while others prefer time to watch or join in quietly. I want every child to find a place where they feel comfortable, included and able to enjoy learning through play.