Oran O’Connor
Director
BSc Psychology in Society and Psychological Sciences.
Diploma of Early Childhood Education.
Oran grew up in the world of early childhood. Geri, his mother, has spent 35 years of her adult life working in the field, and founded The Children’s Garden in 2005. Oran’s passion for providing remarkable early years education was founded in his years studying Psychology at the University of Western Australia and continued to develop as he proceeded to work as Business Manager at The Children’s Garden.
Here, Oran assisted in the development of an ‘early years’ educational curriculum which has, provided field leading outcomes socially, emotionally and intellectually. An appreciation for early years education and the influence of early experiences on a child’s life, matched with a passion for providing an exceptional education to Australian families, led to the creation of Scola Early Learning as a means of providing best practice education to Perth families.
“What a child can do in cooperation today, they can do alone tomorrow.” – Lev Vygotsky
Ana Cordeiro
Education Leader (ECT)
Bachelor of Education (Early Years Education)
Our team leader and a wonderful teacher from Portugal. Ana graduated from the (insert University) and has worked at forrest schools around Europe for years in the time between graduating and her time at The Children’s Garden. During this time, Ana learnt the value of outdoor learning experiences, letting children be children, and endorsing the excitement of play-based learning.
Ana commenced with our kindergarten children at Scola Early Learning, before accepting the role as Education Leader at The Children’s Garden where she now works with Óran in curriculum design, team leading and continuing to use her valuable teaching skills in leading children’s learning.
Olivia Lynch
Foundation Leader (ECT)
Bachelor of Education (Early Years Education)
Having taught at the Kindergarten level for over a decade, Olivia was always inspired by leading children at the earliest opportunity. Having graduated from the University of South Australia, teaching children in rural communities of Queensland and South Australia, Olivia settled in Western Australia calling Perth home.
Having grown up with six brothers and sisters, Olivia knows and cherishes the value of childhood, companionship and community, and uses these to elevate the learning experiences and relationships she supports with our youngest children at The Children’s Garden.
Amy Rowe
Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Early Years Education)
Amy trained and practiced in New Zealand, widely regarded as one of the strongest early childhood education systems in the world. After graduating from university and refining her practice, she made the decision to move to Western Australia in search of a lifestyle more immersed in nature and balance.
Her connection to the outdoors deeply influences her approach to teaching. Amy believes that children learn best when they feel grounded, calm, and engaged within natural, open-ended learning spaces. She brings a strong ecological and inquiry-based perspective, encouraging children to explore, question, and interact with their environment.
With a gentle, thoughtful teaching style informed by global best practice, Amy is committed to helping children build curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
“The child has a hundred languages… a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking.” — Loris Malaguzzi
Andrea Cini
Early Childhood Teacher
Andrea is an Early Childhood Teacher who brings a thoughtful and considered approach to her work with children at The Children’s Garden.
As an ACECQA recognised Early Childhood Teacher, Andrea combines her professional knowledge of early childhood development with a strong focus on relationships, responsive teaching and creating environments where children feel secure enough to explore, experiment and develop their independence.
Andrea values the important role that early childhood education plays in establishing the foundations for later learning. She enjoys working alongside children as they investigate their ideas and develop new skills, while recognising that every child develops at their own pace and brings their own interests, personality and experiences to our school community.
Claudia Stenger
Early Childhood Educator | Foundation
Claudia is a qualified Early Childhood Educator holding a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is a familiar and trusted member of The Children’s Garden team.
Claudia works predominantly within Foundation, supporting our youngest children through a period of extraordinary growth and development. Her approach recognises that care and education are inseparable during these early years, with everyday moments such as meals, rest, play and transitions providing important opportunities for connection, communication and learning.
Claudia values consistency and strong relationships with both children and families. Her familiarity with our children and their individual routines helps create the calm and predictable environment that allows young children to feel secure, develop confidence and gradually explore more of the world around them.
Isla Rous
Early Childhood Educator
Isla is a qualified Early Childhood Educator holding a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Working with our younger children in Foundation, Isla brings warmth, energy and enthusiasm to their everyday experiences. She understands that the earliest years are built around relationships and that feeling safe, known and connected provides the foundation from which children begin to explore their world.
Isla enjoys being actively involved in children’s play and learning, supporting the many small discoveries that occur throughout the day. Her approach complements The Children’s Garden philosophy of providing children with time, space and meaningful experiences rather than rushing their development.
HANNAH IDE
Early Childhood Educator
Hannah studied in England, with a particular focus on working with children with specific and additional needs. This background has given her a strong appreciation for the different ways children communicate, learn and engage with the world around them.
At The Children’s Garden, Hannah brings this understanding to her everyday work with children, taking the time to recognise individual strengths, interests and needs. She values an inclusive approach where children are supported as individuals rather than being expected to develop or participate in exactly the same way.
Hannah believes that strong relationships are central to early childhood education. Through patient, responsive interactions and meaningful play experiences, she supports children to develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging within our school community.
Hayley Biddle
Kitchen
Hayley is an important part of The Children’s Garden team, working in our kitchen to prepare fresh and nutritious meals for the children each day.
Our approach to food is about much more than simply providing meals. Mealtimes are an important part of the children’s day, providing opportunities to explore new foods, develop independence and build positive relationships with eating. Hayley supports this approach by preparing a varied menu designed with young children in mind.
Working closely with our educators, Hayley also helps us accommodate individual dietary requirements, allergies and the changing needs of our youngest children. Her work behind the scenes helps make shared mealtimes a familiar, enjoyable and valuable part of everyday life at The Children’s Garden.