Who we are

Mel Rogers 

Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care        

Director

Mel has been an integral part of the Gaia’s Nest family for 17 years, starting her journey working in Baby Bears before taking on her role in the office. She is the driving force behind ensuring all our systems and teams are in-sync and connected. A passionate advocate for living a healthy life. Mel is a mother to 4 children.

Lynne Rayner

Assistant director

Canie Bentley

Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care       

Assistant Director

From a young age Canie was excited to work with children. After raising her own children, she made the career change to Early Childhood. She has now been at Gaia’s Nest for 8 years. Through spending time in a nature-based setting, Canie’s pedagogy grew to understand and appreciate the need for children and adults to take risk. At home, Canie enjoys sewing quilts and felted animals.

Kirsty-lee Ballie

 Diploma of Early Childhood Education &  Care

Kirsty has over 15 years of experience in the sector, spending 13 of those years at Gaia’s Nest. Over her time Kirsty has moved rooms across our age groups, giving her a wealth of experience and a depth of knowledge across all ages. She feels inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and enjoys working in a team of like-minded colleagues.

Zoe Nichols

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Zoe has held her position at Gaia’s Nest since 2017. After working in Baby Bears for a number of years, Zoe took on the challenge of moving to Big Bears. Since then she has excelled in providing a stable and supportive dynamic environment for children in the 3-4 age group.

Ari Pelegrinello

Diploma Of Early Childhood Education &Care

Tahli Andrewartha

Studying Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Chole Worbey

Studying Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Zoe Liu

Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)

Alice Ruzicka

Certificate 3 In Early Childhood Education & Care

Madeleine Weeks

Diploma of Early Education and Care

Mel Bennett

 Diploma of Early Childhood Education &  Care

Kirsty-lee Ballie

 Diploma of Early Childhood Education &  Care

Kirsty has over 15 years experience in the sector, spending 13 of those years at Gaia’s Nest. Over her time Kirsty has moved rooms across our age groups, giving her a wealth of experience and a depth of knowledge across all ages. She feels inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and enjoys working in a team of like-minded colleagues.

Sarah Grannetia

Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care 

Training Coordinator 

Sarah came to Gaia’s Nest in 2011 with 7 years experience in early education. Sarah’s practice is influenced by her knowledge of Steiner education and brain development.  Sarah is passionate about supporting reflective thinking and lifelong learning, and brings her external knowledge of music as communication into her identity as an educator supporting the toddlers of Gaia’s Nest.

Bec Smith

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Bec has a Certificate 3 in Early Years Education and Care completing after being offered a job at Gaia's Nest on her first work placement in college. She has been part of the Gaia’s family for 9 years and has spent her time working between Big Bears and Baby Bears and has recently become a float across all rooms. Bec is passionate about nature and weaves her love of the arts into her practice as an educator, painting and crafting her surroundings into life.

Jana Allen

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Tiffany

Diploma of Early Childhood Education &   Care

Anna Maria Michalowski

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care

Sharon Burke

Diploma of Early Childhood Education &  Care

Sharon has worked in Early Childhood for 30 years, spending 14 of those years at Gaia’s Nest. She has held a number of roles within the service but now enjoys covering holidays in all rooms. Sharon is a supportive educator, who is able to blend with all our teams, the perfect person to move throughout the centre as she is needed.

Shayle Needham

Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education & Care