Our Educators
We pride ourselves on our highly qualified and caring educators at Apples & Honey. They are a team of certified early childhood educators, dedicated to providing children with the best start in life through loving care and learning development.
Our educators take the time to get to know your child – their unique interests, personalities and developmental stages. We collaborate with our families to help deepen learning opportunities with experiences that relate back to their home environments. Your child will be supported in their development and we regularly communicate with families on how their child is progressing and on their day-to-day experiences at the centre both in person and through our specialised app, StoryPark.
To ensure our educators are always growing, developing and keeping abreast of changes within the Early Childhood Education field, we provide them with extensive professional development opportunities.
What Makes Our Educators Special
It takes a unique set of skills, passions and attributes to make a fantastic educator. Here’s what makes our educators so special:
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Highly trained early learning professionals who care deeply about each and every one of the children in their care
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Creating meaningful play-based experiences for children that will both challenge them and extend their learning.
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Our preschool has high educator to child ratio
Linda Ratzer
Centre Director
My philosophy is based on my belief in the Holistic development of children. This is a practical approach to a comprehensive learning system where physical, social, emotional, mind and spiritual growth of a child is nurtured and encouraged so that children are able to reach their full potential and become competent and capable adults and develop a love for and enjoyment of learning that will hold them in good stead for life. I believe that play is the foundation for learning and I encourage the staff and children to always be filled with a sense of wonder.
As a centre director I believe that a core focus is the children’s learning and development and the continued growth and development of educators and the centre as a whole. Education trends grow and change and we need to keep up to date. I believe that I should address children’s rights and honour diversity of all kinds in a positive, constructive and courageous way.
Building respectful, trusting, nurturing and equitable relationships with all stakeholders as well as fostering the building of respectful and genuine connections with families and communities is everyone's responsibility and the foundation of a long and happy educational journey.
As a child care centre director my job is to establish and sustain a true professional learning community — a place where teachers see each new day as an opportunity to expand their competence and confidence and support one another in moving toward a shared vision of program excellence.
My door is always open. Please feel free to come in.
Emma-Lee Poole
Degree trained Early Childhood Teacher
I am a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, graduating from university in 2015, with a Bachelor of Primary Education and Early Childhood Education. I believe that all children are unique, highly confident and capable learners that bring knowledge and personality to their learning environment. Children should all be treated with respect, trust and importance. Along with these values I believe that our wider community, parents and guardians are of great value. Their input is highly valued and supported to create meaningful learning opportunities and a sense of community.
My teaching philosophy also encompasses that learning occurs through meaningful and spontaneous play opportunities. As Educators it is our role to create and foster these learning opportunities in a positive and exciting way.
Kim Holloway
Diploma trained Early Childhood Educator
I am a Diploma trained Early Childhood Educator and this year marks my 21st year of working with children.
I believe that every child is a unique individual who deserves a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere in which to mature physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially. My belief is that children learn best through play and that my role as an educator is to provide an exciting educationally based program and environment that will best facilitate learning based on their individual interests.
Shlomi Almoslinos
Certificate III Early Childhood Educator
I have been working at Apples & Honey Preschool for the last three years, completing my Certificate III. I am completing the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Recently I was awarded with the role of the Jewish Educator at our preschool and I have the honour to give the children a solid base and understanding of the Jewish traditions and values.
Being part of the Jewish community, I also teach on Sundays Hebrew and Jewish studies for Years 2 & 3 here at North Shore Temple Emmanuel.
I truly believe that there is more than one way of teaching and therefore, I look for opportunities to incorporate imagination, creativity, play-based experiences and even yoga to get the children engaged and to have a fun learning experience.
Teaching has always been my passion and I enjoy both teaching and learning from children which is truly rewarding. Looking forward to meeting you all and changing the world, one child at a time.