Your Children Services Team

Assistant Director & ECT Children's Services - Athira Arun

Athira been in early childhood education for many years, wearing different hats in this field; nevertheless, she states that she has always embraced connecting with my inner child! She is deeply passionate about creating an engaging and nurturing environment where your child can thrive. Athira believes in fostering not just academic growth but also the development of essential life skills and a lifelong love for learning.

Early Childhood Teacher, Educational Leader and Kindergarten Program Leader(NS), Teagan Grigor

Teagan has worked professionally in the early childhood sector for nearly eight years.

A new Mum herself, Teagan married in 2022 and had a beautiful little boy who is her absolute world.

She says her family has made her the person she is today but, most of all, it has impacted the way she looks at things in everyday life, waking up with a smile on her face.

In her younger days, Teagan had no idea what she wanted to do or be. One day in 2009, she looked after her younger cousins, turned to her parents and said, “I know what I want to do, I want to work with children”.

She soon completed a Certificate III, Diploma and Bachelor of Education. She has since worked as a Baby and Toddler Room Assistant, before moving to pre-kinder (3-year-old Kinder) Teacher, then to a role as a 4-year-old Kinder Teacher.

Teagan believes that all children are different and have their own unique way to explore their world and grow and develop in their own time. As educators, she says ‘we are there to guide them through their own unique journey. I am responsible for providing meaningful, play-based experiences that are individualised, that reflect in our program and through children’s learning and development, observations and summative assessments.’

The children in her care drive her to be the best Early Childhood Teacher she can be. When she sees a child reach a milestone, or goal or are proud of something they have achieved, she develops more confidence herself in providing the children the best learning environment they deserve. 

Her belief is that the space around them should enhance the children’s interests in all development areas, achieved most successfully through play stations and play spaces that can be visited, explored, and revisited again and again, and takes into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children within the room.

As an Early childhood teacher, Teagan strives to be enthusiastic, patient and caring. She always follows policies, procedures and regulations and if she is ever unsure, will seek out advice and improve her knowledge.

Teagan is focused on creating a loving, caring, safe and welcoming environment that allows families, educators and children to find a sense of belonging, warmth, and confidence within themselves throughout the environment each and every day.

My Personal Philosophy 

“Within my role as an Early Childhood Teacher, I will provide a loving, caring, safe and welcoming environment that allows families, educators but most of all the children to find a sense of belonging, warmth, and confidence within themselves throughout the environment. 

As an Early childhood teacher, I am passionate, patient, caring, and educated. I will always follow policies, procedures and regulations to the best of my ability and if I am ever unsure will seek out advice and further my knowledge. I am always looking for new ways to strengthen my knowledge and gain more confidence through professional development. 

I believe that all children are different and have their own unique way to explore their world and grow and develop in their own time, and we as educators are there to guide them through their own unique journey. As an educator, I am responsible for providing meaningful, play based experiences that are individualised and reflects in our program and through children’s learning and development, observations and summative assessments. 

The environment plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program. It should enhance the children’s interests in all developmental areas. I believe learning in an early childhood environment is done most successfully through play stations and play spaces that can be visited, explored, and revisited again and again. The environment should take into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children within the room.”

Program Leader - Najah

Program leader - Occasional Care (NS) - Naveena

Naveena is a Diploma-qualified Educator who has been, very happily, working with children for the last 10 years.

The married mum of two beautiful children is HPCH’s Program Leader for the Occasional Care sessions and also works in our Before School Care program.

Since completing high school, Naveena has always worked with children. Her focus on quality education for our youngest has always driven her career and her personal commitment.

Over the years she has developed the skills and confidence to work with young children.

Naveena’s wide-ranging experience working with different age group children and their families across different early education and care settings has inspired her to upskill her knowledge so that she has a strong, evidence-based foundation to her work.

Naveena is a firm believer that children learn through play. As an Early Childhood Educator, this understanding translates to her goal to provide enriching experiences so that children are supported as they learn about their strengths, and have the time and space to improve in all areas.

Naveena knows that children will grow and develop more within a rich environment where they feel safe to explore, can self-initiate learning at their own pace, and are always welcome to express themselves.

She does this by supporting the children in her care with compassion and encouragement, and setting up different varieties of experiences for children to learn and grow into curious and caring young people.

Educator - Sriyani

Sriyani is an experienced and caring educator who has a long held desire to provide young children with quality education that sets them on the path to growth, self-development and lifelong learning.

A mother of two boys and a grandmother of a pre-school aged girl, her spark was ignited when her children left home. She began a Family Day Care business caring for children between 1-5 years old, founded on a love of being around children and with experience in childcare overseas.

Family Day Care provided the perfect opportunity to nurture children and support working parents, a career which she enjoyed for over 10 years.

Sriyani worked hard to develop her professional skills, expanding her knowledge and capability in early childhood development and undertaking a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

Progressing from Family Day Care to the Hampton Park Kindergarten gave her an opportunity to be involved in the more formal education of children, preparing them for success on their journey to primary school.

Sriyani believes that children need the assurance of being loved and cared for while they are enjoying an educational environment. Cultivating security and trust in her relationships with every child and their parents has been central to her practice. She also knows that learning happens all the time and is interwoven through all development domains, including physical, social, emotional, cognitive and communication.

She understands that children are optimistic, cheerful and energising and she says she always learns from them as much as they do from her.

Sriyani also loves the opportunity to nurture a safe and constructive learning environment for children and being able to have a positive impact on their lives.

The goal of her work is to make this ongoing learning experience safe, positive and fun, and nurturing of each child, as she guides them to build confidence in themselves and excitement for continued learning.

Sriyani enjoys and takes pride in watching children grow into kind, capable, unique and resilient individuals, and it gives her immense joy and fulfillment to play an important role in their development and shaping their character.

Educator - Stavana Solomon Abnis

Stavana is an Early Childhood Educator who prizes each child in her care as ‘a unique bud, that blooms colourfully in every season of the year.’

This beautiful appreciation of individuality is the cornerstone of her approach and underpins the valuable contribution she makes to our children’s daily lives.

Stavana has a daughter, Seona. She sees the strengths of her professional work as respecting every child for their differences and understanding their unique needs.

She does this by developing an accepting and nurturing environment where each child is encouraged to grow and thrive in their own ways.

Stavana’s talents are generously shared with the children, always mindful of promoting sharing and turn-taking skills.

While respecting their rights as young people, she also regards the HPCH Code of Ethics and her professional responsibilities to be of utmost importance.

This extends to families as she proactively encourages interactions and connection with all of our families and our wider community.

The opportunity to reflect on the growth and development of each child gained from the planned programming is something she also appreciates as it guides her own professional development as well.

At the heart of her work is an understanding that children are flexible and curious.

It’s Stanava’s job to encourage a positive, kind and supported learning environment where every child is best guided to reach their full potential.

Educator - Zohra

Zohra chose to work in Early Childhood Education for one simple reason: she always had a passion for being around young children that, she says, has only grown stronger over time.

Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn have continued to inspire every day of her professional life.

She finds joy in helping children discover the world around them, fostering their social and cognitive skills, and laying a strong foundation for their future education.

A keen observer, Zohra has witnessed the significant impact that early education can have on a child's development and future success. It brings her immense joy to be a part of their journey, watching them learn, grow, and flourish.

And, the relationships she builds with the children and their families are incredibly rewarding.

“Early Childhood Education continues to fulfill me professionally and personally, and I feel privileged to be entrusted with the responsibility of shaping their early years and I am dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young children,” she says.

Zohra’s professional practice is underlined by her view that children are unique individuals with unlimited potential – they are curious, imaginative, and full of wonder. Children have their own thoughts, feelings, and perspectives, which deserve to be valued and respected. She believes that every child has strengths and talents waiting to be discovered and nurtured and views children as the future, and believes in their ability to shape the world with their unique gifts.

What drives Zohra as an early childhood educator is the profound impact she can make in a child's life.

Motivated by the opportunity to shape their educational journey and help them develop important skills and knowledge, she believes that every child deserves a nurturing and supportive environment to grow, learn and thrive.

Zohra’s goal is to inspire a love for learning, foster their social and emotional development, and help them build essential skills that will benefit them now, as young children, and right throughout their lives.

Early Childhood Educator - Jo C

• Proud mum of two girls, aged 11 and 7.
• Completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care in March 2018.
• Has a rich background working in the Aged and Disability industry.
• Passionate about working with both young and old, finding fulfillment in supporting our community's most vulnerable members.

Jo believes that being an educator is a continuous learning journey. She emphasises the importance of understanding and learning from students, colleagues, and parents to tailor learning strategies to each child's unique interests, abilities, and learning styles.

Jo is excited to work with all of us to embrace and celebrate our beautifully diverse community. Let's continue teaching our children the values of respect and inclusivity together.

Kindergarten Support - Emma

While Emma is a qualified Nursery Room Assistant with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, she works across all of the children’s rooms at the HPCH.

With five beautiful children of her own, Emma and her partner come from big families – something they both love!

She began her early education and care career at Kids Narre Warren since just after it opened in 2016 and has been working in the industry for 10 years.

Helping babies and young children grow and learn has always been a driving force.

One of Emma’s greatest strength is as a communicator. She loves to chat to families and parents, so welcomes the chance to talk about their children and respond to any questions they may have. Keen to develop her own knowledge base and skills, Emma says that if she can’t answer a query right away, she is more than happy to research, talk to others and find a solution.

Emma loves so many things about her job. She particularly enjoys helping children learn, grow, build friendships and relationships with staff, in an environment where they all feel safe and comfortable.

Coming into work and seeing all the children playing altogether and learning from one another is her great joy. New experiences make her want to do the best she can as an educator to support each and every child as they grow and learn.

As a skilled and professional educator, Emma believes that learning is happening all the time and throughout all developmental areas: physical, social/emotional, cognitive and communication.

Her goal is to make an ongoing learning experience that is safe, positive and fun for not only the children but families as well. This is done by nurturing and supporting the children as she guides them, individually, through their next stages of development.

It is her passion to encourage children of all ages to do the best of their ability and to strive through their learning in a positive manner. A way of learning that she mindfully practises is to be hands-on with children, then to take some time to sit back and watch them play as an individual.

Emma has an open and honest nature. She is committed to working in partnerships with families to create close, mutually respectful relationships, with deep regard to a family’s culture and community, no matter what background they come from or the circumstances they face.