Our Educators
Our staff are:
Qualified early childhood educators and forest school leaders
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Highly experienced in outdoor 'classrooms' and in program development.
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Facilitators and guides to you and your children
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Outdoor enthusiasts and passionate about children experiencing outdoor play.
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Hold their 'blue card' for working with children.
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Are current with first aid and CPR certification
Meet The Team
Miss Mandy
Miss Mandy our director and co- founder of Starting Strong since it began in 2015.
Since then the program has evolved and expanded but our core vision and philosophies have remained the same of wanting all kids to have access to outdoors in their early years at a professional and welcoming organisation, whilst utilising the Gold Coasts amazing outdoor playspaces and great weather.
Miss Mandy is a qualified ECE with experience since 2000 – she has taught in preschools and childcare centres in Ireland, US and Canada and is also a qualified child & infant sleep consultant and type 1 car seat installation specialist.
You will find Miss Mandy at Paradise point leading the wallabies group and supporting Miss Kel with her Kangas. Also at bush kindy on Fridays having great adventures with the 3-5s . Miss Mandy also is behind her laptop two days a week planning ahead and answering emails!
Miss Kelly is our lead educator and admin assistant and has been with starting strong since 2018.
She has experience in the Early Childhood industry since 2006 with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Forest school leader.
Kel is passionate about being able to give all children the opportunity to learn and play in our beautiful outdoors, through hands on experiences and adventures in a safe and nurturing environment. You can find Miss Kel in our Paradise Point and Canungra sessions.
Miss Kelly
Miss Courtney has extensive experience and knowledge in early childhood development
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Courtney has her Diploma in Children's services and loves to get to work outside and to be apart of each child's journey of discovering and observing the World around them. You can find Miss Courts at our Bush kindy sessions.
Miss Courtney
Miss Jess is one of our co-founders and is on the board of directors. Jess created this unique program in 2015 and was the first preschool educator at Paradise Point where it all started.
Jess started in the children care industry with Miss Mandy back in 2000 and is a wealth of knowledge and experience for Starting Strong.
Miss Jess
Our subs - Miss Dallas and Miss Grace
Both of our amazing subs help out at classes when our permanent educators are sick or on holidays. They both have their Blue card , first aid - Miss dallas is a qualified ECE with 20 years experience and Miss Grace has her bachelor of education.
Our Community Partners
