Our Team
Centre Director
“Never judge a book by its cover.” It’s a saying you have probably heard many times. At Perfect Start Birkdale Daycare Centre, we have a wonderland behind our ordinary exterior. Enter our centre to find the welcoming staff, led by myself, Miss De’Arne. Our educators are bright, energetic, qualified, passionate and caring people who together, make an exceptional unit and team.
The outdoor environment allows children to explore their surroundings and connect with all the natural elements in our backyard. The children are encouraged to utilise their environment to extend their learning opportunities from the indoor to the outdoor environment. We also run a Government-approved Kindergarten program that runs within our Long Day Care and offers a challenging educational program supported by our qualified teachers. We have an open-door policy and always love meeting new families, so please come down and see the amazing environment and exceptional education and care we have to offer your child the “perfect start.”
Hi, I am Miss Julz and I have my Diploma in Children’s Services. I started as an assistant straight out of school and worked my way to lead educator, and assistant Director. I love what I do. Being an educator gives you a lifetime of laughter, stories and a heart full of memories. I have worked in Early Childhood for close to 20 years and every day I learn something new.
I am a very passionate educator who loves providing a warm, happy and safe learning environment where each child and families individual needs are met. I believe children should always be provided with opportunities to explore, learn and grow, physically, socially and emotionally.
In my spare time I love spending time with my husband and 4 beautiful children.
Hi, I am Miss Charlie. I have my Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Services and Care and have been working in childcare for almost a year now. Being an educator has brought me so much joy and so many rewards. Everyday at Perfect Start Birkdale Daycare Centre I learn new things and continue to grow professionally.
I aim to provide a safe, happy and well supervised environment for all children to learn and grow within.
I enjoy spending lots of time going out with my friends and family.
Hi my name is Miss Leia. I have my Diploma in children’s Services, I have worked in the child care industry for 16 years. This is an amazingly rewarding job and I absolutely love going to work each day. I love seeing what adventures we will go on. I love watching the wonder and amazement in each of the children’s eyes as they take those wobbly first steps, as they wear undies for a full day without having an accident, finding a caterpillar in the garden or making a mud pie with a new found friend. Each new adventure through play brings life skills and the next step in each child’s journey and development. I feel so blessed to be a part of each child’s learning journey.
‘Play is often talked about as if it was a serious relief from learning, But for children, play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.’ Fred Rogers.
Hi, I am Miss Mel. I have my Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Services and currently studying my Diploma in Children’s Services. I have been working in childcare for almost 7 years starting out as float staff and moving my way up to an assistant educator to now being in my first year as a Lead Educator. I have learnt so much in my time working alongside children ranging from babies to kindergarten age and every child is unique in what they bring into the centre on a daily basis. I enjoy watching them grow and learn through love, compassion and nurturing that I endeavour to achieve daily. I love spending quality time with my family doing things we all love to do as a family.
Hi, I’m Miss Nicole and I have a Diploma in Children’s Services. I enjoy working with children because of the interactions and helping to extend and further develop the children’s interests and skills. I believe children learn best through play and freedom of choice, during positive interactions with their carers, and through spontaneous and intentional experiences throughout the day. I respect and encourage information from families, as I endeavour to provide a holistic approach to learning for children.
“Play is the work of childhood.” Jean Piaget
Hi, I am Miss June and I have my Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services. I am originally from the UK but have been in Australia since 2001.
I have been in the Childcare Industry for approximately 20 years with some Office Admin roles in between. I love being around children and working in a profession where you really feel you are making a difference to little lives.
I firmly believe the goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.
In my spare time I love spending time with my hubby and two boys, swimming, bike riding and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
Hi, my name is Miss Makayla. I’m currently studying my Certificate 3 in Children’s Services. I first started as a float and since then, have had the opportunity to be the educator in 2 rooms. I love working with children and watching them grow and learn so much, and creating memories with them. I believe in providing children with a safe and stimulating environment where quality care is the highest priority.
Hi I’m Miss Sarah, I have my Diploma in Children’s Services and have worked in the Early Childhood Industry for 13 years in all aspects of the job starting as a float and also working as a Director.
My true calling is to educate and support children to develop and enjoy freedom in a play based curriculum where their voices lay the foundation for all learning.
I respect that each child is an individual and enjoy the journey of reciprocal learning as we develop relationships with each child and their families.
In my spare time I enjoy precious time with my almost adult daughter and son, live music, sport, and beach life!
Hello, my name is Casey. I currently have a Cert III in Early Childhood Education and have been working in the child care industry for just over a year. I started as a float, gaining experience with all age groups ranging from nursery to kindergarten and I am currently in the Pre-Kindy room as an assistant educator.
Being in child care I get the most joy out of being able to support and encourage children to learn about their environment and gain skills and experiences while playing and learning.
I love coming into work and observing the children’s interests and how I can help to support and further their interests by engaging and communicating with them.
I enjoy watching the children grow and see that they have started their journey at Perfect Start with the amazing educators and staff that have supported them.
Hi I’m Miss Lisa
I am currently studying my Diploma of Early Childhood. I have been in the Child Care industry for a little over two years now and absolutely love my job working with children. I am passionate about teaching the children the importance of respecting, appreciating and nurturing our natural environment particularly plants and animals. I believe children learn through these experiences and develop empathy and compassion, a necessary skill that will benefit them for their entire lives ahead.
I have two boys of my own aged 10 and 3. We love hanging out together with our friends and family, spending our time swimming and going to the park and tending to our beautiful plants at home. We also enjoy going camping and 4WDing on the beach and in the bush where we have the best adventures together creating magical memories together.
Hi, I am Miss Chantelle but all of the children call me Channy, I have my Diploma in Children’s Services.
Being an educator has given so much joy watching and helping the children grow and learn in many ways.
I have been in the industry for nearly 7 years, and believe I learn something new everyday.
I aim to provide a learning environment that is loving, safe, warm, welcoming and inclusive of all cultures, nationalities, abilities and family situations.
In my spare time I like spending time with friends and family catching up and creating memories.
Hello! I’m Miss Bek and I have been in the childcare industry for over 2 years and I am currently studying my Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. I love this job because every day is different, full of fun and laughs and so rewarding. The unconditional love we receive every day is amazing. In my spare time I like to read novels and to sit around a nice warm fire with my family and friends.
Hi, my name is Miss Aachal and I am the teacher in the kindergarten room at Perfect Start Birkdale Daycare Centre every Thursday and Friday. I completed my postgraduate qualifications in education specialising in the early years at QUT in 2011 and have worked at this centre ever since. I enjoy kindergarten teaching as I believe learning should be fun and empower the individual learner. I also believe a play-based program provides the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, helping children to develop their social and emotional intelligence.
In the kindergarten room, we develop age-appropriate, individual goals for each child based on their interests, strengths and learning needs. We believe that our relationship with parents and carers is integral to being able to provide children with the best quality care and education.
When I’m not at work, I like to spend time with my daughter and my extended family.
Hi, my name is Miss Tahlia. I’m currently studying my Certificate III in Early Childhood Services. I started working as a float staff at Perfect Start towards the end of 2017. I am now an assistant educator in the Toddlers room. I love working with children of all ages, I find it to be very rewarding as i am able to support, encourage and laugh alongside the children. In my spare time I enjoy watching TV series, going out with friends and going on holidays with my family to the beach.
