Our Philosophy
Koolanga is an inclusive, boutique service that engages families, children, and educators regardless of culture. Building and maintaining respectful relationships while providing an alternative childcare option is paramount to us.
Our pillars are:
- Quality: This is the foundation of all our practices. We strive to uphold the highest standards by continuously refining our methods to align with best practices and exceed regulatory benchmarks. Our Continuous Quality Improvement Plan provides a strategic framework that fosters growth, enhances quality, and sustains high standards across every area of our organisation.
- Innovation: This is integral to our vision. We welcome innovative solutions and adapt to meet changing needs, creating a supportive environment where fresh ideas are encouraged and appreciated. By staying attuned to industry advancements and anticipating future challenges, we remain agile and prepared to lead.
- Support. It is our hallmark. We provide personalised support to our team, children, and families, empowering them to succeed. We have built a supportive learning community grounded in innovative tools where everyone can grow and develop together.
Our approach is guided by the EYLF principles of Belonging, Being, and Becoming. We recognise the importance of secure relationships, the present moment in children’s lives, and their ongoing growth as active societal participation.
We recognise that play-based learning engages each child’s interests and natural sense of discovery through hands-on exploration of the world around them. They are the drivers of their learning journey.
Koolanga acknowledges our diverse community and embraces the richness that diversity brings to our learning environment, fostering a sense of belonging for all.
About Us
Koolanga is an inclusive boutique Service that engages with families and children, irrespective of culture. Building and maintaining respectful relationships in providing an alternative option for childcare is paramount for us.
We recognise,
- Relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging.
- Being, recognises the significance of the here and now in children’s lives.
- Becoming, encourages children to have a voice, to participate fully and actively in society without discrimination or bias.
- The need for continued appreciation with nature, to be environmentally responsible and embed those practices for sustainability.
- Play based learning engages each child’s interests and natural sense of discovery through hands-on exploration of the world around them. They are the driver of their own learning journey.
Koolanga acknowledges the diverse community in which we live and encourages families, educators and community members to be meaningfully and actively involved in our Service.
The word Koolanga means “children”, which is from the local Noongar language.
The Aboriginal people of Australia have the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. To be Noongar is to belong; it is to have connection to their “boodja” (country) and have strong links to their “moort” (family).
The word Koolanga means “children”, which is from the local Noongar language.
The Aboriginal people of Australia have the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. To be Noongar is to belong; it is to have connection to their “boodja” (country) and have strong links to their “moort” (family).
The word Koolanga means “children”, which is from the local Noongar language.
The Aboriginal people of Australia have the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. To be Noongar is to belong; it is to have connection to their “boodja” (country) and have strong links to their “moort” (family).
Who are we
Helen Miles
I have been in the childcare profession for over 40 years, both in the UK and here in Australia, across many different Child Care Services. 16 of those years have been in Family Day Care, as an educator in my home, to a Coordinator, to managing the Family Day Care Service for a number of years.
I love building relationships and mentoring both educators and families with a focus on ensuring we are providing a quality Service with best outcomes for every child.
I am passionate about Early Childhood, providing children with love, respect and encouragement in a safe, stimulating learning environment, and is the reason we all do what we do.
My qualifications include an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services, a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Louella Pyke
With more than a decade of experience in the Administration/Financial area of the Family Day Care sector, I possess extensive expertise and comprehension of Family Assistance Law, Compliance, Quality Management, Service obligations, and Government Subsidies.
My dedication lies in nurturing positive relationships with educators and families, offering unwavering assistance in matters pertaining to child care fees, subsidy inquiries, sessions of care records, and troubleshooting electronic child care software issues.
Furthermore, I provide valuable guidance and support to aspiring educators embarking on their own family day care business journey. This includes ongoing assistance with software training, record keeping compliance, obligations, and any other administrative concerns they may have.
To support my professional background, I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care as well as a Certificate IV in Business Administration.
Irene Solino
I am passionate about fostering excellence in early childhood education and have over twenty-five years of experience as a Senior Consultant, Quality Facilitator, ECE Manager, Educational Leader, and Educator, with eleven of those years in the Early Childhood Sector. I specialise in improving practices and advocate for innovative strategies and creative solutions to address challenges. I also believe continuous professional development is vital for staying current with new research and refining skills.
I am pursuing my Bachelor of Teaching and have completed an Advanced Diploma in Business, a Diploma in Children’s Services, and a Certificate III in Children’s Services. In line with my commitment to quality, I continuously feed my training portfolio, including extensive training in the Reggio Emilia Approach and various areas related to Early Childhood Education and Safety. Additionally, in the business area, I have received extensive training in Project Management, Leadership, Change Management, Adult Training, and Professionalism, among others.
Who are we
Helen Miles
I have been in the childcare profession for over 40 years, both in the UK and here in Australia, across many different Child Care Services. 16 of those years have been in Family Day Care, as an educator in my home, to a Coordinator, to managing the Family Day Care Service for a number of years.
I love building relationships and mentoring both educators and families with a focus on ensuring we are providing a quality Service with best outcomes for every child.
I am passionate about Early Childhood, providing children with love, respect and encouragement in a safe, stimulating learning environment, and is the reason we all do what we do.
My qualifications include an Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services, a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and Diploma in Leadership and Management.
Louella Pyke
With more than a decade of experience in the Administration/Financial area of the Family Day Care sector, I possess extensive expertise and comprehension of Family Assistance Law, Compliance, Quality Management, Service obligations, and Government Subsidies.
My dedication lies in nurturing positive relationships with educators and families, offering unwavering assistance in matters pertaining to child care fees, subsidy inquiries, sessions of care records, and troubleshooting electronic child care software issues.
Furthermore, I provide valuable guidance and support to aspiring educators embarking on their own family day care business journey. This includes ongoing assistance with software training, record keeping compliance, obligations, and any other administrative concerns they may have.
To support my professional background, I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care as well as a Certificate IV in Business Administration.