Regina holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Monash University and has completed multiple placements in diverse early learning settings. Before that, she earned both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is passionate about creating a warm and supportive environment where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore the world with curiosity and confidence – just like music, she hopes their learning journey is filled with joy and harmony.
Over to Regina…
I believe every child deserves a safe and supportive space where they can grow, explore, and express themselves freely. My teaching approach is centred on patience, encouragement, and creating meaningful learning experiences that foster confidence and independence. Seeing children discover their strengths and curiosity is what makes this work so rewarding for me.
Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of building strong connections with children and seeing them grow in confidence. One of my proudest moments was helping a shy child express themselves through storytelling, watching them gain the confidence to lead their own activity.
When I’m not at Choklits, I love spending time with my dog, named Coffee, taking long walks together. Staying active is important to me, so I make time for exercise, whether it’s a gym session or an outdoor adventure. I’m also a food lover, and I enjoy exploring new places with delicious food and trying different flavours along the way.
The cutest and most beautiful thing a child has ever done for me was drawing a picture of me and my dog, Coffee, enjoying a cake together after I told them about it. They excitedly handed me the drawing and said, “This is you and Coffee having a yummy treat!” It was such a sweet and thoughtful moment that showed how much they listen and care – it truly made my day!
Deborah holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and has worked at Choklits Surrey Hills for over 2 years!
Over to Deborah…
I developed a passion of caring for children when I was a teenager. It started when babysitting my little cousins where I learned from my elders the basic needs of a newborn. When I grew up, I got the fantastic opportunity to learn the importance of education for children and put my knowledge into practice through my religion. Back in my country, I used to volunteer in orphanages to teach children about moral values. I learned all of these from my spiritual faith, which is very special to me. We believe children have pure hearts and they are like a branch that is fresh and green. From their earliest days and with great education they will most likely develop good character, have good morals and will contribute to their community. I believe educating young children is one of the greatest services of all. Besides the passion and love that I have for children, I’m very proud of my spiritual beliefs and the way they guided me to my work with children.
The self satisfaction of guiding children in the right path and teaching them to be knowledgeable and good human beings is something I’m very proud of. It also makes me proud when families feel safe and happy to leave their children in my care and I love when they tell me that their children have been saying my name at home and that they like me.
When I’m not a Choklits I enjoy going out with my partner or friends. I love nature, hiking and all outdoor activities. I also enjoy playing badminton and riding my bike.
The most beautiful thing a child said to me was “I love you” while giving me a cuddle and the cutest thing I’ve heard is a pre-toddler excitingly saying my name with that little cute voice as soon as she saw me. I find it pretty funny when children call me “Deb, mummy!”.
Josie has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 10 years and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Over to Josie…
I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because I believe that the very first years of early childhood set important foundations for our lives. I would like to be part of early childhood education to bring happiness, well-being, and learning to children, and to witness how they reach and go beyond their potentials.
Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of working with various age groups of children and seeing how the development and learning happens in so many different ways.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy watching movies, going for walks and catching up with friends.
The best part about my role is the squeezy cuddles and smiles that I received from children almost every day. They make my day, every day!
Mahsa has been working in Early Education for over 2 years and holds a Bachelor of Applied Mathematics and a Certificate III of Early Childhood Education.
Over to Mahsa…
I love working in early education because I truly enjoy engaging with children. Working with young children is incredibly rewarding. Their curiosity, creativity, and boundless energy make each day exciting and fulfilling. Witnessing their growth and development, both academically and socially, is truly remarkable.
Throughout my career I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with families. Establishing strong partnerships with parents and caregivers is essential for supporting children’s development, and knowing that families trusted me to care for and educate their children fills me with immense pride.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending quality time with my family and loved ones. Whether it’s going on weekend outings, having family game nights, or simply relaxing together at home, these moments are precious to me. I also have a passion for outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and exploring nature trails.
One of the most heart warming moments I’ve experienced was when a child in my class looked up at me with wide eyes and said, “I love you, Mahsa !” It was such a simple yet profound expression of affection, and it truly melted my heart.
Ratna has been working in Early Education for over 7 years and holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and a Diploma in Early Childhood And Education.
Over to Ratna…
I love working in early education because every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a positive impact on children lives. I adore their energy- seeing them run and jump fills me with so much joy and energy too. Working with them is something I really love.
Throughout my career as a kindergarten educator and as a lead educator I have been most proud of the countless moments where I have been witnessed the genuine joy and excitement in the eyes of the kinder children as they learn and grow. Being able to create a nurturing and supportive environment where children feel safe to explore, ask questions, and express themselves has been incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s helping a shy child to find their voice, or sharing a laughter, each day reaffirming my passion for early childhood education and the profound impact it has on shaping young minds.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love traveling, hiking, yoga and meditation.
Children have said so many beautiful things to me but the most beautiful I remember is that “Ratna, how do you always know what I want!”
Elaheh has been working in Early Education for almost a year and holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education.
Over to Elaheh…
I love working in early education because every child’s journey is a treasure, and I believe in nurturing their curiosity and potential with love and kindness.
Throughout my career I have been most proud of the countless moments that define my journey.
When I’m not at Choklits I love spending time with family, shopping, enjoying the outdoors, reading, playing sports, and cooking.
One of the most heartwarming moments was when a child looked up at me with wide eyes and said, “You’re my superhero!” It filled me with overwhelming joy and reminded me of the immense impact we can have on young hearts.
Harleen has been working in Early Education for over a year and holds a Bachelors in Information Technology and Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education.
Over to Harleen…
I love working in early education because it allows me to positively impact the lives of young children, nurture their development, witness their growth first hand, and contribute to shaping their futures in a meaningful way.
Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of being entrusted with the responsibility of teaching three-year-olds. It requires patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of early childhood development.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy experimenting with new recipes or cooking together as a family. Also, I participate in sports and fitness activities such as yoga, morning walks, and jogging to maintain healthy lifestyle and to relieve stress.
One of the most heartwarming moments was while reading a story during group time, we came across a lion. One of the children points to the lion and exclaims, “Look! it’s Mr Whisker!” Confused, I asked “who is Mr Whisker?” The child responds, “He is the lion who lives in my closet and protect me from monsters at night!” I can’t help but smile at child’s vivid imagination and reassurance from their imaginary lion friend.
Abby has been working in Early Education for over 8 years, holds a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and is the Choklits Surrey Hills Educational Leader and Administrator.
Over to Abby…
I love working in early education because I believe in the incredible potential of every child. My personal philosophy centres around respectful, responsive, and play-based learning. I find joy in creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, confident, and inspired to explore the world around them. Supporting their developmental journey and witnessing those lightbulb moments when they discover something new is genuinely fulfilling.
Throughout my career I’m most proud of building strong, trusting relationships with both children and families. One milestone I’m especially proud of was leading a sustainability project where children helped plant and maintain a veggie garden. This not only taught them responsibility and care for the environment but also strengthened our connection with the wider community. Watching the children share the produce with others and speak proudly about their efforts was incredibly rewarding.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors. I love jogging and traveling. These activities help me recharge and also give me inspiration for experiences I can bring into the classroom. I also enjoy trying out new recipes – especially ones I can share with the children during cooking experiences.
One of the cutest things a child has said to me was when a child looked up at me and said, “You’re my sunshine, even when it’s cloudy.” It completely melted my heart and reminded me how deeply children connect with those who care for them. Moments like these affirm the importance and impact of our role as educators.
Sue has been working in Early Education for over 2 years and holds a Bachelor in English (Hons), Masters in Linguistics, Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education (Reading).
Over to Sue…
I love working in early education because working with children is very fulfilling. Everyday, I learn something new. It is a process of continuous learning and development. It is amazing to interact with children and the families and be a part of children’s growth.
One moment I’m very proud of is obtaining my VIT registration as a kindergarten teacher!
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy reading books. I am a huge fan of English Classics and reading poetry. I also love playing the guitar and composing music.
One of the cutest things a child has said to me was that I was their favourite teacher and they find me to be very kind and loving! It made me feel valued and loved by children.
Sue is our Group Admin Support and has been at Choklits Child Care Centre for over 28 years. In March 2022, the Herald Sun crowned Sue Brewer Melbourne’s Best Child Care Worker.
She has touched many families’ lives and cared for hundreds of children. Sue has a calm approach, takes time to understand everybody’s needs and is always there to help and listen to our family’s needs. Sue believes in true partnerships. A mother to 4 children and a grandmother to 14, Sue holds a Diploma in Children’s Services. If you are lucky enough she may even bake you the most delicious chocolate cake you have ever eaten!
This is Sue with Choklits owner Jade celebrating her 25 years at Choklits…
Over to Sue…
Some of the things I really enjoy about working in Early Childhood Education is seeing children develop, grow from a young age and learn the skills that will help them on their journey through life.
I’m very proud of my achievements starting as an untrained assistant all the way through to the Director of Choklits.
When I’m not at I love spending time with my family, knitting, going to Church and following the Sydney Swans.
I love it when my grandchildren tell me they love me and one of the funniest things one of the children said to me once was “You look beautiful Sue, I love your grey hair!”
To learn more about Sue, her philosophy and Choklits here’s an extract from the Choklits Parent Handbook which Sue used to send to families when they joined Choklits in her former role as Service Director at Choklits Ringwood-
Welcome to Choklits!
Part of my job here is to ensure that your time at the centre will be a valuable and enjoyable experience for both you and your children. My door is always open, please come and say hello.
The decision to return to work with pre-school children still at home is never an easy one for any parent to make. The decision about where to leave your child whilst you work is an even harder one. Will my child be safe? Will my child be happy? Are the caregivers going to look after my child with love and affection? Will my child continue to develop into a happy, healthy young person?
Being the mother of 4 children and a grandmother of 14, I understand the dilemma and sometimes guilt, faced by many parents having young children in the care of others. We aim to alleviate that guilt and worry from parents, and indeed make having your child attend Choklits a huge advantage, rather than a worry.
Of course, no other person can replace a mother or father in the eyes of a child, and we don’t attempt to replace any parent, but we are keen to work in conjunction with parent/s to create a safe, healthy and happy environment for each and every child that attends Choklits. For this reason, we aim to keep parents fully informed and involved in their child’s day to day activities, parents together with their children are made to feel welcome and are encouraged to participate where possible.
We think that learning is everywhere, and I believe we have the staff and equipment necessary to complement each child’s at home education. We help to develop our early learners physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Our aim is to see your child grow from dependence to independence and develop an active, positive and constructive approach to life. The social skills your child develop will leave him/her in good stead when it comes time to start school. We will provide practical support, assistance and information to parents on childhood development and aim to build mutual trust between all children and between children and staff.
Choklits is a privately-owned Centre, committed to providing a quality service while creating a warm, friendly and homely atmosphere. People often tell me that Choklits is like being at home, with a bigger backyard!
Here at Choklits, your child will be involved in small groups and have lots of individual attention, with a teacher whose only focus is on the children. Because I run the Centre, and our Chef Helen cooks all the meals, snacks and co-ordinates meal times, the educator’s can remain focused on your child’s needs at all times.
If you are new to child care or are currently weighing up your different options for care, these “what to look for” hints may be helpful as you make the right decision for your family:
A. Caregivers who build children’s self-esteem through
B. Programs that enable children to develop emotionally, intellectually and physically by
C. Centre directors or management committees who employ staff with relevant early childhood qualifications and welcome parents and encourage them to be involved in all aspects of the service.
Our goal at Choklits is to see each child develop a spirit of independence appropriate to their age and capabilities, have a curiosity about life, have a high self-esteem and be able to initiate their own learning.
We provide practical support, assistance and information to parents on childhood development and aim to build mutual trust between all children and between the children and staff.
We develop in children a sense of their own personal uniqueness and respect for others, and ensure they enjoy access to a wide range of creative expression, and more importantly, have fun.
If I haven’t met you in person yet, please come and say hello, I’d love to show you around and introduce you to our educators.
Never forget, Learning is Everywhere!
Sue Brewer
Choklits Group Admin Support
