Mahla has worked in early learning for almost 3 years and is an Educator at Choklits in Surrey Hills. She holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Over to Mahla…
I love working in early education and care because I believe the early years are the most important in shaping a child’s future. I’m passionate about creating a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children feel confident to explore, learn, and express themselves. My philosophy is centred around building strong, trusting relationships and supporting each child as a unique individual. I believe learning through play is powerful, and I love seeing the joy and curiosity children bring to each day. Working closely with families is also important to me – I see it as a partnership that helps children feel secure and connected. Being part of a child’s early development is a true privilege and something I find deeply rewarding.
Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of building strong, trusting relationships with both children and families. One of my proudest milestones has been completing my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education while working and raising my own young child – it was a challenging but rewarding journey. I’m also proud of the positive feedback I’ve received from colleagues and families, especially when they tell me their child feels safe, happy, and connected in my care. Those moments remind me why I chose this profession and motivate me to keep growing.
When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my young daughter who keeps me busy and brings so much joy to my life. We love going for walks, visiting the park, and doing little art and craft activities together at home. I also enjoy cooking, listening to music, and catching up with friends. Taking time to relax and enjoy these simple moments helps me stay balanced and refreshed for my work with children.
The cutest, funniest or most beautiful thing a child has ever said to me was “I love you more than ice cream!” It completely melted my heart and made me smile for the rest of the day. Moments like that remind me how deeply children can connect with us when they feel safe and loved. It made me feel proud to know I had created that sense of trust and belonging for them.
Vera has worked in early learning for just over a month and is an Educator at Choklits in Surrey Hills. She is currently studying her Master of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and has completed two placements of 10 days each. Vera holds a Bachelor of English and has over eight years of experience teaching English to speakers of other languages, including three and a half years as a home teacher. She also holds a Working with Children Check, Mandatory Reporting training, First Aid and CPR certification, and a DoFoodSafely certification.
Over to Vera…
I love working in early education and care because it’s where the foundation for lifelong learning, curiosity, and emotional well-being begins. Every day, I have the privilege of nurturing young minds during their most formative years, helping them develop not just academically but socially, emotionally, and creatively.
My personal philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is unique, capable, and full of potential. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where children feel valued and empowered to explore, ask questions, and grow at their own pace. Play is at the heart of learning – it’s how children make sense of the world, build resilience, and develop critical thinking skills.
Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of the moments where I’ve witnessed transformational growth in both children and the learning environments I’ve helped shape.
Some highlights include:
But above all, I’m proud of the small, daily victories: the shy child who found their voice, the toddler who mastered sharing after months of guidance, or the classroom that buzzed with laughter and ‘aha!’ moments. These are the reminders of why this work matters.
When I’m not at Choklits, I love embracing life’s little joys and staying active in ways that recharge my creativity and energy. I like exploring the outdoors – whether it’s bushwalking with my friends, picnicking at local parks, or chasing the best sunset spots. I also enjoy trying out new recipes in the kitchen and jogging around the neighbourhood.
The cutest and most heartwarming thing a child has ever said to me happened when I returned to Choklits for my second placement. A 4-year-old girl saw me, ran up to me with open arms, and said, “I missed you! Where have you been? Why don’t you come to our room? I wish you could stay with us!”
Her excitement and genuine affection completely melted my heart. It made me feel so valued and reminded me of the strong, trusting relationships we build with children – how even small moments can leave a lasting impact on them, just as they do on us.
Angie has worked in early learning for 5 months and is an Educator at Choklits in Surrey Hills. She holds a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and Primary Education from the University of Melbourne.
Over to Angie…
I love working in early education and care because I’m passionate about helping children learn and grow. I believe in nurturing a supportive, safe, and engaging environment where each child feels valued and confident to explore the world around them.
Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of building strong, positive relationships with both children and their families. Seeing children thrive in a nurturing environment, and knowing that families trust and value the educators’ support, has been incredibly rewarding.
When I’m not at Choklits, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exercising, and traveling when I can.
The cutest thing a child has ever did to me was when a toddler gave me a hug and said, ‘I missed you!’ It was so warm and completely melted my heart.
Jason has worked in early learning for 7 months and is an Educator at Choklits in Surrey Hills. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Over to Jason…
I love working in early education and care because I believe that the early years are foundational for children’s development. I am dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive, and engaging environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore their world. My philosophy is centered on the idea that every child is unique, with individual strengths, abilities and interests. I am focused on supporting their growth by developing their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, while promoting respect, kindness, and a love for learning. Every day brings new opportunities to make a positive impact on their lives.
Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of seeing my activities and plans have a positive impact on the children, and having very active and positive interactions with them. One memorable achievement was helping the children develop their study and life skills. I’ve also been proud to be part of a team that implemented a new curriculum, which greatly enhanced the children’s learning outcomes. Another milestone was working with other educators and teachers to create a warm and inclusive environment for the children. These moments remind me of the importance of my role in working with my colleagues to contribute to our team.
When I’m not at Choklits, I enjoy cooking and traveling. I love exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and trying new foods. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, especially going for walks together to catch up and enjoy nature. Fitness is another big part of my life, and I make sure to stay active by working out regularly. Whether it’s at the gym or doing outdoor activities, it helps me feel energized and maintain a healthy balance in life.
The cutest thing a child has ever said to me was when they drew a picture of me on a piece of paper and handed it to me with a big smile, saying, “Look, it’s you, teacher” The drawing was simple but full of love, with a big smile and bright colors. It made me feel incredibly touched and appreciated. Knowing that a child sees me as someone important in their life was such a heartwarming moment. It reminded me of the power of connection and how small gestures can have a big impact on both the child and myself.
Feri has worked in early learning for two years and is an Educator at Choklits in Surrey Hills. She holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care from Job Training Institute and continues to build her experience in the field.
Over to Feri…
I love working in early education and care because I enjoy working with children and helping them. I’m gaining experience and doing something meaningful each day.
Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of being a supporter, both to my colleagues and to the children.
When I’m not at Choklits, I enjoy seeing the kids happy and safe. Their wellbeing brings me joy even outside of work.
The cutest, funniest, or most beautiful thing a child has ever said to me was when they were saying the alphabet, and when they got to the letter F, they said my name instead.
Jade (along with her husband, Matt) owns and runs Choklits, has a Bachelor of Business Human Resource Management, a Masters of Accounting and a Diploma of Children’s Services. Jade has two young children and is passionate about learning and strongly believes that all children have the right to be safe, loved and should all be set up for the best chance at success in life.
Over to Jade…
I began my career in the corporate world working for organisations including Ernst and Young and in senior management for the NAB. In 2016, I purchased Choklits in Ringwood along with my husband, Matt. Children and teaching are my passion so Choklits quickly became my second family and growing the Choklits Community is now one of my favourite things in the world!
Choklits has grown from a small centre we purchased all those years ago to the community it is today. I’m so proud of our team of dedicated educators who pour their heart and soul into our children. It makes me so happy I get to do this work everyday.
When I’m not at Choklits I’m usually thinking about Choklits! I also enjoy spending time with my family, especially traveling and holidaying with them. My twin children certainly keep me on my toes whenever I’m away from Choklits!!
Matt (along with his wife, Jade) owns and runs Choklits. Jade and Matt have two young children and are both passionate about learning and strongly believe that all children have the right to be safe, loved and should all be set up for the best chance at success in life. Matt is also the author of The Chokliteers Great Discovery.
Over to Matt…
I began my working life delivering newspapers before settling on a career as a maintenance plumber. After working and studying to become qualified and licensed I started and grew my own high end plumbing company and serviced some of Melbourne’s most expensive and exclusive homes and business locations for luxury brands such as Kay & Burton and Lamborghini. In 2016, Jade and I purchased Choklits Child Care in Ringwood.
Developing people and building teams has always been a passion of mine. A little while back a past team member of our plumbing company called to ask me if I had realised that everyone who came through our apprentice program now works for themselves and runs their own business. I hadn’t at the time, but it’s something I’m pretty proud of. When Jade and I purchased Choklits Child Care we had just nine team members, by mid 2022 our team (who now care for and educate hundreds of children everyday) had passed one hundred. Growing the Choklits Community is one of our favourite things in the world!
Jade and I are often asked why we decided to enter the child care industry and the answer is pretty simple- when we needed child care for our own young children we couldn’t find anywhere we were really happy and comfortable leaving them. There were options but we really felt that children, especially very young children, deserved more than we found. And, parents deserved a much higher level of support and guidance finding early learning centres. So, we decided to do something about that which led us to Choklits and our commitment to run Choklits from our perspective as parents and in the best interest of all our children, including our own who attended Choklits before they started school. They still like to visit on the weekends whenever there’s pocket money to be earned.
When I’m not at Choklits I’m usually thinking about ways we can grow and improve Choklits! I also love cycling, basketball and spending time with my family, especially holidaying and discovering new places. I’m also the runner for my sons footy team and coach of my daughters basketball team. Like many parents, I feel like chasing my two children around throughout the week is fitness program in itself!!
Dominic is our Group Presentation and Maintenance Manager. Known as Dom at Choklits, he holds a Certificate III in Building and Construction and works across all Choklits Services.
Over to Dom…
I take great pride in contributing to the provision of the highest quality care, facilities, and environment for future generations. With over 13 years of experience as a carpenter and a diverse background in various construction roles, I have consistently been drawn to work that makes a positive impact on individuals and society. By applying my skills and expertise to early education centres, I am deeply committed to the belief that leading by example is crucial in fostering excellence for the next generation.
During my time working in the aged care maintenance sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I was committed to delivering the highest standard of maintenance services. I ensured that all maintenance issues were swiftly addressed, which contributed to residents feeling safe, secure, and well cared for in their homes. It was profoundly rewarding to support vulnerable communities during such a challenging period, particularly as these interactions often served as their only social engagement. Through this experience, I quickly realised that my role extended beyond repairing and maintaining, it was also about building meaningful social connections.
When I am not at work i enjoy getting out of the city with my family by camping, hiking and exploring new areas. I enjoy going for early morning walks with my Border Collie called Banjo. I love to learn new skills such as welding and working on my old 4×4.
I always find it great when working fixing anything and I hear a little voice behind me “what are you doing?”, “why?”, “why?”, “why?”. The little supervisors are always keeping you on your toes and ensuring that the works are up to standard. It makes me feel happy that the work I am doing has such a positive impact and allows the centres to operate to such a high standard.
Deb is the Area Manager at Choklits and has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 17 years. She holds a Masters of Education, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Diploma of Nutrition and a Diploma of Personal Training.
Over to Deb…
I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because I can drive continuous improvement to the profession. Children are the future and we need to ensure that they are supported and encouraged through all aspects of learning and development. I see children as being competent and capable so I believe in nurturing their social and emotional needs, layering additional learning alongside. I design programs to reflect their needs, interests, goals, strengths and ensure that I am contributing to their education and care. Children have the right to be recognised as subjects of civil, legal, individual and social rights; as both source and constructors of their own experience and thus active participants in the organisation of their identities, abilities and autonomy through relationships and interaction with their peers, with adults, with ideas, with objects and with the real and imaginary events of inter-communicating worlds. Being on top of the latest emerging research, I can ensure children are provided with quality environments conducive to learning with resources carefully selected, placed into environments purposefully to facilitate learning.
I have been privileged to teach and support many educators, children and families, assisting in taking individuals to their desired and deserved destinations. Through my career as an educator, a teacher and an executive service manager/director, I have been wondering what is one of my proudest moments. This profession is truly a marathon and we are continuously needing to update our knowledge and skills every moment. Within the classroom, questions, conversation etc, we try to directly/indirectly show the real scenario to the children, simultaneously we ensure that they don’t take it otherwise, rather they seek this as an opportunity to fill the gaps easily and happily. The task might seem to be easy, to be such a parabolic mirror, which shows the real picture but with all skewed possibilities of quick corrections, demands to have a steep bent in our persona without making it evident to the rest of the world it is one of difficulty and to do so takes great achievement. While we teachers and educators continue to do the pious job in a teach and learn mode, I take this opportunity to draw attention of people towards this, the most rewarding and satisfying career in Early Childhood Education and Care. In addition to this great achievement, I have been proud to assist families to gain allied health professional support when they need it. Raising children is difficult and I believe it takes a village to raise a child so we need to do our best in ensuring that we all support one another.
When I am not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with my beautiful family, my Siberian Huskies, my goat and my cat. I enjoy spending time playing piano, participating in pilates, reading and watching movies.
Children are full of curiosity and creativity, I used to keep a book and fill it with the stories, comments and conversations that the children were immersed in. One memory I have is when one of the educators brought in an ultrasound picture and a child asked, “why is it so dark in there? I think she needs a light!”
Jodi has been at Choklits Child Care for over 12 years and is the Assistant Service Director at Choklits Surrey Hills. She holds a Diploma in Children’s Services, is a mother of 4 children, has a warm heart and a fabulous smile which our youngest early learners absolutely love.
Over to Jodi…
There are so many reasons to love working in early learning! Being with children everyday creating inviting play spaces that the children will engage in and learn new skills from is very exciting. But, what I love the most is being able to make a difference in the families lives and supporting parents when they first enter the world of early learning. It’s a big responsibility ensuring families have peace of mind leaving their children with us for the first time and knowing they will be safe and have fun, one both my team and I take very seriously.
Throughout my career as an early childhood educator I am most proud of the relationships I have built with the children and their families, many of which have continued after the families have left Choklits.
When I not at Choklits I am a taxi driver to my 4 sport crazy children (football, netball and calisthenics). Being their number 1 supporter and their biggest fan I love watching them play/perform.
In a world (the nursery) where a lot of the children’s communication is non verbal, I love when the children smile when I walk in the room but what really melts my heart is when they learn to say my name.
