“Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her”
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
Meet the Founders
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Amanda England
CO-FOUNDER l MANAGING DIRECTOR l ECT l NOMINATED SUPERVISOR I EDUCATIONAL LEADER
🌿Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology
🌿Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)
🌿Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
🌿PhD Candidate - University of New England (Investigating Forest School philosophies and pedagogies in Australia) (in progress)
🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader
🌿First Aid in an Education Setting (incl. CPR, Anaphylaxis & Asthma)
🌿Current Blue Card
From a young age Amanda fondly remembers using tools in her Granddad's shed, playing in the bushland at her Nans’, building double decker go-karts, and constructing elaborate tree houses with pulley systems. Hence, you will often see her trying to set up 'risky play' adventures as that is one of her favourite things to do.
Amanda is an experienced Teacher (Early Childhood/Primary), who passionately advocates for learning through play. With a love of nature and all creatures, big and small, Amanda was attracted to the nature play philosophy as it aligns with her values; child led, free play, in nature. When not at Little Wildlings, Amanda is working on her PhD researching nature play philosophy and pedagogy in Australia. With a deeper understanding of why we do, what we do, and how to do it, Amanda dreams of ensuring that all children have access to nature play.
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Nicki Farrell
CO-FOUNDER l COMPANY DIRECTOR
🌿Bachelor of Education - English & HPE
(Middle and Secondary School)🌿Diploma in Outdoor Recreation
🌿Cert 4 in Environmental Tourism
🌿Cert 4 in Training and Assessing
🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader
🌿First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma
🌿Current Blue Card
Raised on a farm in remote South Australia, Nicki's favourite childhood memories are of family camping trips, climbing trees, hiding amongst wool bales and rock-hopping over rock pools. Accidentally stumbling across the respectful/attachment parenting philosophy shortly after having her first child enabled Nicki to begin to trust her child's innate curiosity and insatiable appetite to learn through play, which in turn led the family down the rabbit hole of alternative education options.
An experienced High School PE and English Teacher and Outdoor Recreation Leader, Nicki's passions and expertise lie in outdoor recreation, educating educators, creating community connections, ecological literacy, environmental protection and stewardship, and ensuring diversity and alternatives in our education systems to better prepare our children for an uncertain future.
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Vicci Oliver
CO-FOUNDER l COMPANY DIRECTOR
Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Ecotourism)
🌿Graduate Diploma of Education
(Middle and Secondary School)🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader
🌿First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma
🌿Current Blue Card
The ocean has always been home for Marine Biologist and Science/Maths Teacher, Vicci. Living in South East Queensland has been the perfect backdrop for a life of adventure chasing dolphins and whales on a mission to spread a love for the natural world.
After teaching in traditional schools, Vicci's world was soon opened to alternative models of learning, particularly the nature play philosophy, after the birth of her first daughter. The philosophy embodied many of Vicci's own lifestyle values and seemed to be the perfect blend of world-schooling and wild-schooling. Vicci's passions and expertise lie in marine education, respectful communication, child empowerment and educational freedom of choice.
Meet the Team
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Shirona Lowe
CO-DIRECTOR I ECT I EDUCATIONAL LEADER
Master of Education (Inclusion and Trauma Aware Education - In Progress); Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood; Diploma in Montessori; Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
I believe that all children should be able to connect deeply with Country, community, and self. Through natural materials and meaningful experiences, they grow as confident, independent learners with a strong sense of identity and belonging. I strive to create a learning environment where curiosity is nurtured, diversity is celebrated, and every child’s voice expressed in one of the many “languages” of creativity is valued and shared in our collective story.
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Fiona Corones
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Diploma in Children’s Services
I believe Children flourish when they learn in nature, where curiosity is sparked, senses are awakened, and learning becomes a living, breathing experience. For me, the outdoors is a place where children can explore freely, solve problems, and create with joy, while developing a deep respect and understanding for the world around them. As an educator, I feel privileged to guide and learn alongside them, creating safe and inspiring spaces where their questions lead the way and their discoveries shape meaningful lifelong learning.
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Jo Sorensen
ECT
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood); Masters of Education (Research - in progress) Level 4 Forest School Leader
I believe that nature is one of our greatest educators. To foster the future stewards of our precious Earth, children need valuable hands-on experiences that allow them to make discoveries, deepen their understandings, and learn how to care for the world in which we live. Being outside provides endless opportunities to learn and experiment through play, where children’s skills flourish and their confidence grows. Teaching in nature has been a lifelong focus of my career, and I am continually inspired by the learning, curiosity, and connection it nurtures.
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Julie Allan
ECT
Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary; Diploma of Early Childhood
I believe in helping children to continue to foster this wonder, develop their independence and see them as capable learners. I delight in children’s curiosity and in making sense of the world around them. My role is to provide a safe and comfortable person whom they can share and delight in everyday experiences, and support in overcoming challenges.
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Sarah Russell
STUDYING ECT
BSc Biomedical Science; PGDip Physician Assistant Studies; MTeach Primary (science); Berry Street Education Model (trauma informed); Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care
I believe time is precious and childhood should be protected. Learning is a journey that needs to be crafted with care, compassion and deep connection. My wish is to facilitate such, harnessing authentic, attuned, socially and emotionally aware, creative, and capable young change makers of the future.
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Megan Kennedy
ADVANCED DIPLOMA EDUCATOR
Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services
I believe in fostering a deep connection to the outdoors, where children are empowered to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. Through a respectful and sustainable approach, my goal is to guide each child in developing a sense of wonder, independence, and a lifelong love for the world around them.
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Nicole Coughran
DIPLOMA EDUCATOR
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
I believe in fostering a deep connection to the outdoors, where children are empowered to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. Through a respectful and sustainable approach, my goal is to guide each child in developing a sense of wonder, independence, and a lifelong love for the world around them.
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Sarah Brennan
CERT III EDUCATOR
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
I believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity and interest. I’m passionate about providing holistic care for each child, as well as encouraging love and appreciation for our world and conservation. -
Emme Stone
CERT III EDUCATOR
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education & Care
I believe that all children learn better through child led exploration and play allowing them to build on their own interests and develop their own beliefs and values. I'm passionate about letting children be creative which I believe being outdoors and in nature allows children to do so on a regular basis.
