Shamaila – Lead Educator

I have been part of the Playroom team for more that 3 years. I love this age group and am very excited to be here again in 2022 as a lead educator. I obtained Master’s in Human Nutrition from Pakistan and a Master’s degree in Public Health from ANU. Recently I have completed my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. It’s wonderful to see how children grow up and develop their skills and I am happy to be there for their moments as an educator and to help facilitate this time of learning. I am looking forward to the year ahead, working in partnership with all the families to provide the best possible care for their children.

Eva – Early Childhood Educator

I have been working with MOCCA since middle of 2016. I love working here and seeing our children grow and respond to kindness and care. I graduated with a bachelor’s in science (with honours) and embarked on a successful career in Sales and Marketing in a Pharmaceutical company for 15 years prior to taking up a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. I believe that children are wonderful and unique. They are our future. That is what inspires me when caring for your children. Our future depends on the values our children gain from us. A future of respect, nourishment, compassion, and understanding can only be achieved if our children embrace these values through our example.

Nicki – Early Childhood Educator

My family has strong ties to MOCCA.  My mother taught in the preschool in the 70’s and I attended as a child, as did my own children. I have two teenage children, and I seem to spend the bulk of my time outside of work driving them around Canberra to play sport or catch up with friends! In addition to my early childhood qualifications, I have a Bachelor of Visual Arts, both of which have enriched my professional practice in many ways. The playroom is a vibrant room, full of energy, love, creativity, respect, and humour. I am looking forward to meeting you and your children throughout 2022

Shamsa – Early Childhood Educator

I have been an educator at MOCCA since 2009 and worked in both of our older age groups. I particularly enjoy the energy, loving relationships, and creativity of the playroom. Having initially completed a master’s degree in Statistics and then completing further early childhood qualifications has been incredibly rewarding. In 2022, I will be working from Wednesday to Friday and look forward to getting to know each of you and your children as well as continuing to share in the learning. journey of our existing families.

At MOCCA we have a special group of early childhood professionals who work across many age groups. Their skill set and team approach to their work enables them to support their entire centre. Without these individuals we would not be able to provide such a high level of education and care for our children and families.

Jo – Early Childhood Educator

I have been working in Early Education and Care since 2011. During my time as an educator, I have really enjoyed working with children and families to develop trusting relationships. I believe our centre should be an extension of the home where children feel they can be themselves by learning through play, building positive relationships, and sharing their own knowledge. I feel all children are capable and competent and I am passionate about developing children’s agency through everyday flows and play.

Emily – Early Childhood Educator

Hello, I have been working at MOCCA since 2015 and have my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care with 9 years experience working with children from birth to school age. I am looking at achieving and specialising with children with additional needs and hope to one day become a teacher.
I am most passionate about creating learning spaces that are inclusive and build on children’s interests.

Hua – Early Childhood Educator

Hua has been an integral part of the MOCCA team for more than a year and during this time Hua has completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Hua’s gentle nature and natural rapport with young children has seen her develop strong trusting relationships with children from nursery through to school age. In her interactions with children it is evident that she values children’s agency and she is attuned to the unique communications and cues of each child.

Janet – Early Childhood Educator

I am the most recent member of the MOCCA team and having recently commenced by final professional placements as part of the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care I was fortunate to have been offered a position at the centre. I have three children, two of which are school age. My heart is that all children are heard and know that they are important to the people around them.  I aim to support children in sharing their strengths, kindness, and knowledge with others.

Katie – Preschool Teacher

I joined MOCCA in 2021 and have felt instantly at home among the amazing team and welcoming families. It is a truly inspiring place to support children’s learning and development.

I recently finished a Master of Teaching (Birth to Five), adding to a BA in Educational Studies with Mathematics and a Cert III in Children’s Services. Education and teaching has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember – teacher was my dream job from the age of 5!

I loved school and love learning. One of my favourite things about working with children is the constant opportunity to learn alongside them and discover new perspectives, ideas, and knowledge. I particularly enjoy exploring STEAM with children, and it is a passion of mine to demonstrate that these are interests for girls as well as boys.

I strongly believe that children need to feel safe and secure in their environments before they feel confident to grow, learn, and develop. My priority is to develop respectful relationships with each child and use those relationships to create rich and meaningful learning relationships.

Sinny – Lead Educator

I joined MOCCA in November 2020 in the Nursery room where I also spent 2021 as the Lead Educator.  I’ve worked in the early childhood sector for 10 years, after working in the retail industry as an administration assistant and I was also a self employed bookkeeper.  It was after having my youngest child, that I had the urge for a career change.  I loved raising my own children and was inspired by the wonderful educators that looked after them while in early childhood education and care, that led me into the direction of a career in early childhood.  To this day, I have not regretted that decision.  I feel that children develop strong skills for learning when they feel confident in their environment and have a strong sense of independence and resilience.  Using my nurturing skills and strategies for building respectful relationships, we will endeavour to achieve these skills throughout the year.

Suman – Early Childhood Educator

Hello everyone, my name is Suman and I have been a member of the MOCCA team since 2018. During this time I have completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and I am looking forward to continuing my studies in this area. I enjoy helping children learn and develop through play. I love watching them grow and will help them embrace their potential. I enjoy the professional learning opportunities available at MOCCA, this has really strengthened my knowledge and motivated me to try different pedagogical approaches and to continuing learning with and from my colleagues. I look forward to being a part of the children’s learning journey and creating a solid base for their bright future.

It’s Autumn! And a great time to stain and oil the beautiful timber features of our outdoor learning environments. As the saying goes “many hands make light work” and it is also a great time to catch up with other families.

Date: Saturday, 2 April 2022

Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Venue: MOCCA outdoor playgrounds

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Volunteers

MOCCA will supply all materials and equipment, we just need some enthusiastic volunteers for an hour or two!

The main tasks will be staining or oiling various timber features within the playgrounds. This includes:

• Planter boxes
• Garden edging
• Beach seats
• Seating around the firepit
• Sandpit storage boxes
• Table tops
• Small fences
• Little cubbies

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If you have any questions or would like to offer your time to volunteer for this event please contact Rowena Muir on (02)6295 6503 or via email row@manukachildcare.com.au

Bee Wrappy Beeswax Food Wraps are used to cover food, vegetables, fruits and bowls in the same way you would use cling film. They are washable, reusable and compostable.

The fundraiser will run throughout March 2022 with a product sample available in the foyer at MOCCA.

Order forms will be distributed in each room or can be downloaded below.

Orders and cash payments are due on 30 March 2022.

If you have any questions please contact Rowena Muir on (02)6295 6503 or via row@manukachildcare.com.au

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. Based around the core pillars relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.

Reconciliation Australia, 2021

At MOCCA we honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and perspectives. We believe that by acknowledging Country, and respectfully embedding First Nations perspectives in our everyday curriculums and centre operations, we will empower our MOCCA community to emerge as proud allies and fierce advocates for First Nations people. 

We will add our voice in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s rights to true self determination. We will work collaboratively with our local community to ensure continued understanding and mutually respectful relationships. Our educators will be provided with meaningful professional learning opportunities to strengthen cultural integrity. At MOCCA, reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility, for the benefit of our whole community, “you, me, us”.  

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Our RAP Working Group consists of staff, families and community members. As the year comes to a close we say goodbye to some of our families as their children transition to new school settings.

We warmly invite interested families and friends of MOCCA to submit an expression of interest to join our RAP Working Group for 2022. For further information please email the Director, Rowena Muir via row@manukachildcare.com.au