Janine

Janine Fox

Assistant Manager and Educational Leader

Janine is the Assistant Manager and Educational Leader at Choklits Child Care in Ringwood. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and is working towards her Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching. Janine has worked in Early Learning for over 9 years!

Over to Janine…

I love working in early education and care because I am able to witness the amazing development of the children in my care. The early years are such an important time in a child’s life and these years certainly form the foundation for the future. I feel blessed that I can experience the wonder and joy as children experience so many firsts. My own philosophy aligns so well with the Choklits Philosophy with the phrases “learning is everywhere”, “learning from everyone” and “spark the fire” really resonating with me. Working in this industry enables me to facilitate and ignite a love of learning through the provision of a range of learning experiences and activities which I love researching, creating and then, watching as the children are excited and become absorbed in hands on learning. I am very passionate about providing warm and welcoming environments in which the children feel safe, secure, and loved to enable them to develop their sense of identity, community, and wellbeing and become confident and involved learners. This is equally important for families who entrust us with their precious children.

My career in early education and care started when I was volunteering at my own children’s kindergarten. I discovered an affinity with young children which led me to pursue a career change. I began my journey working in a small centre while I completed my Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and my first role involved working with children with additional needs. It was immediately obvious to me that building genuine, nurturing relationships is very important to support young children in their learning journey and I am very proud of the many wonderful relationships that I have developed with the children in my care and also their families. Since then, I have worked as a Nursery Room Leader, a Pre-Toddler Room Leader and a Pre-Toddler / Toddler Room Leader. During this time, my desire to expand my knowledge of the early years led me to return to study and I am currently working towards my Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching.

When I’m not at Choklits I love spending time with my family, my fiancé, our 3 children, and our dog. Some of our favourite things include camping, long walks along the beach and exploring our beautiful country. My mum is one of the most important people in my life and we spend a lot of time together at her beach house. I also love music and playing the piano, I have passed my Grade 4 AMEB exam and when time permits, I will prepare for Grade 5. In a past life, I was a Fitness Instructor so I do like to keep active and exercise when and where I can.

Over the years, I have experienced so many wonderful moments, it’s actually quite difficult to choose just one but it does make my heart melt when the children in my care say “I love you, Janine” and one of the things that I love the most is when children reach out and wrap their hand around mine, just wanting to be with me. Some favourite things that have been said – “Janine, you are so creative, you’re the best and I love you” followed by a great big bear hug! and “I want you!”

We recorded this video a while back when Janine was the Toddler Room Leader at Choklits.

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Profile coming soon...

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Mcken

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Mckenzie has been at Choklits Croydon for almost a year, holds a Diploma in Early Education as is working towards her Bachelor. Over to Mckenzie... I love working in early education because I love seeing all of the children hit their milestones and flourish in the development. Their smiles light up my day! When it comes to my career, I have been most proud of the connections I have made with the children and their families, and being someone that the families are happy to rely on. When I'm not at Choklits, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, playing basketball and netball.  I also enjoy baking and spending time with my dog. The most beautiful thing a child has done for me was when they were being dropped off in the morning, and when they saw my face, their face lit up and they ran up to me and gave me the biggest cuddle and a cheeky giggle. I love that!

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Paris has almost completed her Diploma of Early Education and Care and Choklits is her very first job in early learning! Over to Paris... I love working in early education and care to watch children grow, develop and thrive into beautiful young humans. After high school I studied psychology, with the hopes of becoming a child psychologist. After deferring for a couple of years and travelling Europe, I decided to get straight into studying my Diploma of Early Education. One of my most favourite parts about working in early education and care to watch children grow, develop and thrive into beautiful young humans. I’m beyond excited to be working at Choklits, expanding my knowledge and working towards my personal milestones like finishing my Diploma which I'm proud of almost being completed. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with friends and family, taking my two dogs for runs on the beach. I love going to the gym and keeping active. All the moments I have with children are the cutest, I love being welcomed in the morning with big hugs and smiles. The most beautiful thing a child...

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Amy Zhu

Amy has been at Choklits Surrey Hills for over a year and holds a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education. Over to Amy... I love working in early education because I find great fulfilment in working in early education and care because I aspire to create a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where children can thrive, express themselves freely, and grow in safety and happiness. Each child is unique, with their own interests, abilities, and potential. I derive immense satisfaction from uncovering the strengths of every child and witnessing their growth. Moreover, I delight in the joy and surprises that children bring into my life, and I value the opportunity to collaborate with their families in supporting and witnessing their developmental journey. Throughout my career I've had the privilege of witnessing the growth of children across various ages. I firmly believe in instilling trust in children, believing in their abilities and potential. Guiding them from their first steps into a relatively socialised environment from home, I trust in their capacity to adapt, make friends, and learn. Providing opportunities for children to learn and make choices while believing in their capabilities is...

Samantha Fernandez Choklits Child Care

Samantha Fernandez

Sam has worked in early learning for almost 3 years and is our Kindergarten Teacher at Choklits in Ringwood. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Sam... I love working in early education and care because it allows me to nurture children’s curiosity and creativity during their key developmental years. My child-centered, inquiry-based approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, focuses on guiding children through hands-on learning experiences. I’m excited to join Choklits Ringwood and contribute to an environment where children can explore, grow, and thrive. Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of the relationships I’ve built with children and families. Seeing children grow in confidence and creativity as they engage with learning has been incredibly rewarding. When I’m not at Choklits, I enjoy watching true crime documentaries, spending time with my dog, and trying out new food spots with my fiancé. Exploring different cuisines and discovering hidden gems is something we love doing together, especially on the weekends. One of the cutest things that happens in early learning is when I enter a room, and the children run up, scream "Sam!" and...

Sukh Choklits Child Care

Sukh Kaur

Sukh has been at Choklits Ringwood for almost 2 years and holds a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Sukh... I love working in early education because it allows me to make a meaningful impact during the crucial formative years of a child's development. I believe in fostering a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and grow at their own pace, laying a strong foundation for their future success. I am passionate about instilling a love for learning and helping children develop essential skills like empathy, curiosity, and resilience. I find joy in witnessing the wonder and excitement that children experience as they discover the world around them, and I commit to providing them with the support and guidance they need to thrive. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive physically, emotionally, and cognitively and supporting children's growth and development across various domains, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy quality time with my husband and 3 kids. We love exploring various activities together, including visiting the...

Noureen

Noureen Salim

Noureen has working in early learning for over 2 years and holds a Masters of Education . Over to Noureen... I love working in early education and care because it's a profound opportunity to nurture and shape the foundation of a child's life. Every day, I witness the sheer wonder and curiosity in their eyes as they explore the world around them, and it's incredibly rewarding to play a role in fostering their growth and development. Being a part of their journey, witnessing their milestones, and supporting them in their discoveries fills me with joy and purpose. My journey in education commenced when I pursued an International Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from the Australian Catholic University. This experience ignited my passion for teaching, propelling me to pursue a Bachelor's in Education. Over the span of three years, I served as an English teacher in a primary school while concurrently undertaking my Master's in Education from the Australian Catholic University. Throughout my career, I've found immense pride in the numerous moments where I've witnessed the tangible, positive impact of my efforts on the lives of the children and families...

Jessica Duff Choklits Child Care

Jessica Duff

Profile coming soon...

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Awi Pujiastuti

Awi has worked in early learning for over 3 years, works in our nursery at Choklits Croydon and holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Awi... I love working in early education because I love children. Their smile and happiness make me happy too. A happy childhood has a positive impact on children's adult life, therefore I love being part of their journey in building a happy life. When it comes to my career, I'm continually proud of myself each and every time I help a child achieve their goal. When I'm not at Choklits, I enjoy travelling the world, visiting new places, enjoying nature and spending time with my family. The cutest thing a child has said to me was after I'd been working in nursery for a short time, and one of the children was able to say my name, Awi

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Amanda Samson-Loxton

Amanda has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for almost 12 months and currently studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Amanda... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because I enjoy watching the children learn about the world around them, and giving the children the opportunities to answer the questions they have. I also enjoy showing children how things work and giving them the chance to have a go. Throughout my career, I've been most proud of my ability to build connections with all children especially the children who have struggled with making connections with adults or other children. I am at the start of my career and I'm looking forward to all the moments I will have along the way. When I'm not at Choklits I enjoy roller derby, I am in a roller derby league and train 3 times a week, I'm also a part of Bayswater Scout group as a rover. I also enjoy reading and doing crafts. One of the cutest things a child has said to me was they called me "Meh Meh" because he couldn't...

Bahar

Bahar Bahari

Bahar has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for almost 12 months and currently studying Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Bahar... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because it is something I truly love—it's amazing how much I learn from them through our interactions. Chatting and playing together reveals their thoughts, ideas, and motivations. Growing alongside them is a wonderful journey. Throughout my career, I've been most proud of Achieving my Graduate Diploma Degree. When I'm not at Choklits I enjoy enjoy Swimming and hiking. One of the cutest things a child has said to me was when it was raining and she said "I have a rainbow on my shirt, I wish I was a rainbow too".

Josie

Josie Tao

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!

Atena Chahardahcheriki Choklits Child Care

Atena Hematian Chahardahcheriki

Atena has been working with children for over 5 years as a nurse in the paediatrics department, in a child welfare centre and in Early Childhood Education and Care. She is studying her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education. Over to Atena... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because I get to witness the incredible growth and development of children's mind and create a positive impact that lasts a life time. Working with the Choklits team to enhance my skills is an exciting journey for me. Being with children brings me great happiness. Engaging with them through dialogue and play offers profound insights into their minds, showcasing their ideas, thoughts, and motivations. Throughout my career, I've been most proud of the lives I have touched and the lasting impact I had made on children and families. When I'm not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching my favourite movies, going for walks and shopping. One of the cutest things a child has said to me was "you are beautiful and I love you as much as my mum and I learn everything...

Diba

Diba Ehtesham Shahidi

Diba has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 8 years and is currently studying Master of Teaching Early Childhood and Primary Education. Over to Diba... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because children are most pure and kind little humans that you can ever spend your whole life with. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of seeing our children learn new experiences and seeing them grow. When I'm not at Choklits I enjoy studying my masters, sports and spending my time with my family and friends. One of the most beautiful thing a child has ever said to me was when I was playing with one of our children and he was laughing and suddenly he told me that I am so funny and he likes playing with me! That was a moment I felt like I am very lucky to work with children!

Ginna

Ginna Li

Ginna has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 2 years and holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Over to Ginna... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because my passion for education is rooted in engaging with children during their playtime and learning activities, believing that every interaction contributes to their growth and understanding of the world. Throughout my career, I've been most proud of the daily impact I have on the children's development. Each day presents a new opportunity to engage with and inspire the children through playful learning, which not only enhances their growth but also enriches my skills and understanding as an educator. Every day is a memorable journey, marking a series of small but significant milestones that collectively shape the educational experience. When I'm not at Choklits I immerse myself in various hobbies that enrich my life and well-being. I am an avid enthusiast of fine arts, which provide me with creative outlets and relaxation. Additionally, practicing yoga and enjoying culinary delights are essential parts of my routine, helping me maintain balance and energy. One of the cutest things...

Mahya

Mahya Zare Harofteh

Mahya has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 12 months and holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education. Over to Mahya... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because it allows me to foster a nurturing environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. I believe that every child is unique and deserves individualised attention to support their holistic development. By instilling a love for learning and fostering a sense of curiosity, I aim to empower young minds to explore that world around them and become confident, compassionate individuals. Throughout my career, I've been most proud of the moments when I've witnessed the transformative impact of my work on the children and families I've had the privilege to serve. Whether it's seeing a child overcome a challenge, witnessing a parent's gratitude for the support provided, or celebrating milestones in a child's development, these moments remind me of the profound difference early childhood educators can make in shaping the future generation. Additionally, achieving certifications, attending professional development workshops, and being recognised for contributions to the field have also been significant milestones that I'm proud...

Tahlia Choklits Child Care Croydon

Tahlia Higgs

Tahlia joined our service administration team at Choklits in Croydon in 2024. She holds a Diploma in Event Management and is probably the first person you will meet when you enter the centre. Over to Tahlia... I love working in early education and care because it allows me to form meaningful connections with children, which can be heartwarming and deeply rewarding. Additionally, by supporting children, I also support their families, and helping parents navigate early childhood challenges brings me a great sense of satisfaction. I am proud of achieving success in managing the marketing department despite having no formal qualifications in the field. My journey has been a testament to the power of self-learning and determination. When I’m not at Choklits, I enjoy spending quality time with my two girls and partner, who bring so much joy to my life. I also love playing basketball and socialising with friends and family. The cutest, funniest, or most beautiful thing a child has ever said to me was when one of my girls simply said, "I love you." It was a moment that filled me with warmth and a profound sense of...

Tina Zouhori Choklits Child Care

Tina Zouhori

Tina holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and Associate Degree of Pre-School Studies. She has been working in the early learning sector for over 15 years! Over to Tina... Childcare is extremely gratifying; every day is not alike, and you get to be a part of a community that helps children learn, grow, and develop to their greatest potential. Working as a Childhood Educator, you can give children a good start in life by assisting them in developing social skills in a safe and caring atmosphere that fosters learning through play. Working with children has numerous advantages. It's an opportunity to watch children grow and develop into confident, self-sufficient learners. For many childcare teachers in the field, it's the realisation of a long-held ambition. These are the individuals who make the best educators because they have a strong desire to excel in the field. I have always had a passion for working with children and believe that early childhood is a crucial stage in their development. The opportunity to be a part of their growth and provide a safe and nurturing environment is incredibly rewarding. By...

Katy Choklits Child Care

Katy Johnston

Katy has been working in Early Childhood Education and Care for over 5 years and holds a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education. Over to Katy... I love working in Early Childhood Education and Care because I love being around children, watching them play and learn. It’s a privilege to be a part of their world and be involved with all their learning experiences. It’s especially nice to build relationships with families and other staff members. It’s fun to watch them grow and learn and develop their personalities and skills. During my time as an Educator I have been proud that I can settle children who are normally very challenging to settle. I have been told I am very calming when they are feeling overwhelmed. When I'm not at Choklits I enjoy going shopping, watching movies, walking my dog, craft activities, going for drives, visiting beaches & spending time with my Nana. One of the funniest things a child has said to me was once when a little boy asked if he could come home with me so he could make me some spaghetti! He was so cute and we...

Tanaya Reidy Choklits Child Care

Tanaya Reidy

Tanaya has worked in early learning for over 2 years and holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Tanaya... I love working in early education and care because I have always loved working with children. I feel that it is highly rewarding to be part of children’s lives, creating special connections, watching them grow and supporting them in their learning. My proudest carer moment so far has been finishing my Diploma. When I'm not at Choklits, I enjoy family time and a bit of relaxation. The most beautiful moment I have had with a child is when they told me they started including me in their family drawings. She said "this is mum and this is dad and this T and T is always in with us now".

Deb Choklits Child Care

Deborah Chellemben

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...

Philippa Choklits Child Care

Philippa Morris

Philippa holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, is the kindergarten teacher at Choklits Croydon and has been working in early childhood education for over 12 years. Over to Philippa... I love working in early education and care because I love to work in a team. I also love developing and scaffolding the children’s learning as the grow through play and through their communication. I also love getting loads of cuddles, when I walk in the room each morning and throughout the day. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of following my dreams into teaching. In the past I have had a child learn the phonetic 'ph' sound, so when they went into school they remembered it and the teacher was surprised. Also having a child learn that her name had two(2) meanings, one a stones name and the other her name. When I’m not at Choklits I love crocheting, getting out in the garden and visiting my friends. I also love to read mystery novels and Harry Potter. I also like to do adult relaxation colouring. I have had many cute and funny things said to me over...

Chloe Choklits Child Care

Chloe Guo

Chloe is part of our kindergarten team, has been working in early learning for over 3 years and holds a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over to Chloe... I am passionate about learning and applying myself positively to the lives of young children. Australia is a diverse country with many rich cultures. I enjoy and appreciate the importance of inclusiveness in society, especially in early childhood education. I believe learning through play is one of the most effective ways to help children discover themselves. When combined with a mix of child-lead and teacher-lead structures and opportunities to let children explore freely, be creative, work as a team and develop critical thinking skills we see the most growth and development. I love learning and providing excellent learning environments and experiences for our children to learn too. One of my proudest moments during my career was finishing my master's degree, definitely a highlight for me! When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy many different things. I have always been curious about different cultures, food, and people. Travelling around the world is one of my favourite things to do.

Jennifer Choklits Child Care

Jennifer Tseng

Jennifer has been working in Early Education for over 8 years and holds a Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education. Over to Jennifer... I love working in early education because I believe in children's boundless capabilities and love helping them with their many different languages of learning. I also enjoy supporting them with safety and creating comfortable environments for them to learn in. Throughout my career I've been the most proud of myself when I help a child who has language barriers particularly when they are not able to communicate with peers and teachers as it can lead to uncomfortable feelings when engaging in group activities with other children. Using different teaching techniques, like communicating in their mothers native language (like Chinese, for example) often helps them settle in and enjoy group time. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy listening to the music, arts and crafts. I also love to join family events when there's any celebration such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, birthday parties and so on. One of the cutest things a child has said to me was "Hi Jennifer, I need your help!" I felt very...

Dani Choklits Child Care

Dani Graves

Dani has been working with children for many years, holds a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and is hoping to complete her Bachelor's degree in the future. Her experience ranges from working with individual families to the early learning centre environment, on top of raising her two (almost adult) children. Over top Dani... I love working in early education and care because I love being around kids and helping to shape their futures. Children are so beautiful and innocent. I love their conversations and the cuddles. Throughout my career, I’ve been most proud of being resilient, adaptable and resourceful. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy running as I am an avid ultra trail runner! I've always been a very active person but only started regularly running about 7 years ago and started doing trail run events about 5 years ago. I've completed 1 x marathon, 5 x 50+km events, 1 x 100km and Oxfam 100km. I like the endurance and the beauty of ultra running! I thoroughly enjoy it when children call my name. It is the sweetest...

Asten Choklits Child Care 1

Asten Persons

Asten holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and has been working in early learning for over 23 years! Over to Asten... I love working in early education and care because watching children grow, learn and develop each day is amazing. It’s such a rewarding and fulfilling job providing children with positive learning environment and safe, secure space for them to thrive. It is important to me that children feel a sense of trust and belonging when in my care. It is a privilege to be a part of a critical time in a child's life of learning, sense of belonging and developing personalities. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of the bonds I have made with children, families and colleagues over the past 20 years. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy spending time with my two children and family, going to the movies and going for walks. I especially love when children first try to say the name and when I come into the room in the morning and I hear “Asten!” from the children, it’s a lovely feeling.

Leanne Choklits

Leanne Lovell

Leanne holds a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care and has been in working in Early Learning for almost a year. Over to Leanne... I love working with children, watching them learn and guiding them through early education. I’m very proud of my previous job working as a nanny for a family for 15 years and now using my experience working as an early childhood educator. When I'm not at Choklits I love spending time with family, playing netball and basketball and catching up with friends. The cutest, funniest or most beautiful thing a child has ever said to me was a child asked me why I was old. My response was "I’m not that old am I?" to which the child replied, "Yes, you’re old because you have cracks around your eyes".

Suanda Choklits Child Care

Suanda Srivastav

Profile coming soon...

Choklits Chef Boon Lai

Boon Lai

Boon holds a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery Hospitality and is our award winning Chef at Choklits Surrey Hills! We call her by her preferred name, Lai. Under Lai's leadership Choklits Surrey Hills won the Food Premises of the Year Award for 2023! There are 874 eligible business in the City of Whitehorse so we are all super proud to be selected number one! You can find more information here. Over to Lai... I have been working in the food industry for almost 30 years. I have worked in a few restaurants but prior to working at Choklits, I was a Chef Manager in the aged care industry for over 10 years. During that time I was nominated for the 2016 National Finalist for the Facility Catering Service award which I'm very proud of. I understand the importance of nutrition from raising 2 children of my own. I am passionate about creating tasty and nutritionally balanced meals for the children. I believe every meal is an opportunity to teach them how important it is to eat healthy. All my food are cooked fresh on the day using the freshest ingredients...

Elena Emakova Choklit Child Care

Elena Ermakova

Elena holds a Bachelor of Education and has been in the education industry for over 8 years. Elena has lots of experience with all age groups, has a passion for music and has taught internationally. Over to Elena… I am passionate about empowering young children, in a safe, nurturing and an inclusive environment, preparing them for what may lay ahead, especially in their school career. I enjoy working in an inspiring environment with children, families and staff from different cultures and faiths. Each one adding their own input into the cultural aspects of the program and teaching me about how diverse our world is. My career started many years ago as a music teacher in Russian school that specialised in providing education to vulnerable children with different life circumstances, including abuse and poverty. I realised then how important it is to build trust with children. Trusting relationships can influence the future of the younger generation, their views of this world and empower them to make good choices in their lives. I am very proud of being a part of these children’s life journey and seeing them flourish. When I moved to...

Leila

Leila Bagheri

Leila is an Educator in the Choklits Nursery, holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering and has over 15 years experience in education. Over to Leila... My teaching career started overseas where I worked as a high school teacher for 4 years. I then taught math and physics to year 10 students. Afterwards I decided to gain some experience working with young children, so I started to work as an educator in a kindergarten which lasted for 4 years. After I moved to Australia, I decided to continue working in the same field so I studied my Diploma of Early Education and Care to gain further knowledge about children aged 0 to 5  and how they develop, learn and think. I gained some local experience completing placements in 3 different child care centres including Choklits before officially starting at Choklits in October, 2020. I love working in early education and care because I love learning about children through their eyes. Before verbal communication skills develop you can see children's personalities, their needs and wants all through their expressions. I have always enjoyed...

Tracey Perkins Choklits Child Care

Tracey Perkins

Tracey has been with Choklits for over 19 years and has played an integral part in the education of many young children’s lives. She has a Diploma in Children’s Services and has 2 adult children she loves spending time with. There is nothing Tracey doesn’t know or love about Choklits! Over to Tracey... I love working in early education and care for the excitement of teaching little minds new tricks! Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of passing 15 and a half years service at Choklits. I have formed some great friendships with both past and present families and have so many fond memories of the Choklits Community. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy caravanning around Australia and family time with my 2 grandsons. Every moment at Choklits is special that’s for sure, but since becoming a grandma myself the children began referring to me as Nanna Tracey which is very special and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

Megan

Megan Fletcher

Megan holds a Certificate III in Children’s Services and has worked in early education for over 15 years! Megan works in our Pre-Toddler room at Choklits. Over to Megan… I love working in early education and care because I can provide a caring, nurturing environment for those in my care and assist them with learning life skills that will enable them to grow and develop into capable, independent people. Seeing the joy on children’s faces when they achieve everyday tasks or learn something for the first time is so rewarding. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of my ability to adapt to difficult situations I have been placed in. Whether it was learning a little Mandarin to help assist a young girl with very little English to organising and executing a school holiday program for 5 year olds before they started school. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy being a Mum to two very energetic and loud children. Being actively involved in my church, socialising with family and friends. I love bike riding with the family, venturing all over Melbourne, visiting different attractions and parks. The cutest thing...

Christine Picone Choklits Child Care

Christine Picone

Christine (or "Twigs" as she's better known at Choklits) is an Educator in our Pre-Toddler Room, holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and has been in early education for 4 years. Over to Twigs... I love working in early education and care because children light up my world and I love being able to light up theirs. I love guiding them through their early years to become the best versions of themselves. I love the Choklits community and our love of learning, our philosophy is very cohesive. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of completing my Certificate III and my Diploma. I’ve loved having the opportunity to work with all age groups at Choklits, forming wonderful relationships with the children along the way. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy listening to music every chance I get and going to heavy metal concerts. I love driving, especially through the mountains and if I’m not at Bathurst to watch the V8’s, I’m watching it on tv. I also enjoy playing pool.

Cassie

Cassandra Godfrey

Cassie (as she's know around Choklits) holds a Certificate III in Children Services, has been working in early learning since 2010 and is our Pre-Kindergarten Room Leader. Over to Cassie... Over the years I’ve become even more passionate about providing a fun and child lead environment, where children can thrive and develop long life skills to help them achieve goals, as well as setting them up for success for life. I have a strong belief that all children should have a voice and be heard, as children are our future. I also love the fact that we as educators can partake and help build the leaders of tomorrow. While working in this industry for over ten years, you come to realise just how rewarding and important it is working with children. Every week there is one or two things that happens that makes me super proud to be an educator. It’s in the little things I find I’m most proud of, whether it’s a child who can tell you the eight planets of the solar system in detail, to being capable of washing their dishes by themselves or even writing...

Tina

Tina Wang

Tina is an Educator in the Choklits Pre-Toddler Room, holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, moved from China to Australia in 2008 with her family and now has over 5 years experience in early education. Over to Tina... I love working in early education and care because I believe learning is happening all the time, particularly through play. I have a strong passion to connect, interact and build positive relationships with children. I enjoy guiding children to grow and learn through to play. I sharing opportunities for children to explore, discover, imagine and create in their environment. Throughout my career I’ve been most proud of my interactions with the children which include the simplest things like the children waving their hands at the end of the day and saying "bye bye, Tina". When they run to me with excitement and hugs I can see them light up and I'm reminded of how much the children care for their educators just as we care for them. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy going for walks, being at the beach watching the sunrise and sunset. I also love to...

Oti Elly@2x

Elly Hudson

Welcome to the team Elly! Elly has joined our growing Choklits team in our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Room. Elly finished Year 12 last year and is undertaking a traineeship with us to obtain her Certificate III. Elly has done over 1000 hours of volunteering in child care and is very passionate about working with children. She believes that “Children need to experience differences to be happy with theirs”. Elly has cerebral palsy and works with her abilities to manage for this. We are very happy to welcome Elly to the Choklits community and look forward to being part of her training, development and supporting her in her studies as she supports our early learners in their own study.

Karen

Karen Swale

Karen holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and works across all our rooms at Choklits. Over to Karen… I love working in education because I can teach my values to others through positive professional relationships and play! These values include physical and mental health, respect, honesty, family and friends. I enjoy interactions with children that lead to learning and laughter. Some activities I especially seek with children include singing and dancing, reading, water play, cooking, playdough and Lego! I feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie when working as part of a team of teachers and families and achieving common goals for children together. While I am proud of my achievements in teaching, including swimming teaching, being a new mother has been the best thing ever and also the hardest as I suffered badly from postnatal anxiety. Upon recovering I have received a renewed sense of self and purpose. When I’m not at Choklits I enjoy playing with my son Harry, swimming, walking my dog, chatting and being inspired with friends, watching movies, baking cakes, enjoying nature and simplicity. There have been many things said over years but some...

Choklits Child Care

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