Nicola is one of the approved providers and founders of WCK.
Background
Nicola began her teaching journey completing my Bachelor of Teaching at Kelvin Gove QUT on completion moving to Sydney and working in a variety of early learning settings before becoming the Director at Sdn Children’s Waterloo services pilot parent resource program completing Bachelor of Social Science. Working as a QIAS validator I became inspired by the “unpacking conferences” and research emanating from Italy, Finland, the United States and Scotland. Nicola went on to complete a Master in Education at Macquarie University traveling to forests schools in Denmark, to undertake study and research in risky outdoor play in the Forest Schools approach which has been used as a framework for nature education, where children are encouraged to play in, and learn from the natural world around them.
Passion for Visual arts – painting and ceramics, drama and theatre.
Dabbling in art and undertaking study in the visual arts has been a passion of Nicola's from a young age.. She
went on to complete a visual arts degree exhibiting some art works. She have always been passionate about environments and aesthetics, and in particular to how the environment we create influences how the people within it feel, interact and play.
Love of natural world and Strong advocate for animals’ rights.
From young age Nicola has always been the collector of strays (much to her parent’s delight.) The child who brought home the lost dog, hurt bird, unwanted cat and even a horse! She continues to be a strong advocate for the rights of those who don’t have a voice. Strays of rescues make up form the residents of the Green House Farm offering much learning and joy to our WCK Explorers.
Love for ongoing learning, research and experience
Nicola challenges herself and her team to continue to learn, grow and think. To reflect on practises, and contemporary research, to step outside the box of traditional teaching practice and look at contemporary best practice asks them to reflect.
Drawing inspiration from Reggio Emilia; Forest Schools; and unpacking conferences. Nicola has attended international study tours to Vijborg forest schools, Reggio Emilia learning in depth about their philosophy, deepening her understanding and bringing new ideas and learning opportunities back to inspire, influence and share with fellow educators, families, children and the wider community.
Nicola's experience, research and passions have formed a very strong vision about what early childhood should look like, translating to a vision of a progressive early childhood education and the foundation of all things Woombye.
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