Meet Maria's FDC in Tapping

About me

Hello Everyone! My name is Maria, the lead educator of the Tree of Learning Montessori Family day Care and I am a mother of two incredible daughters who I share with my beloved husband, Chris.

I grew up in Athens, Greece. I came to Australia to study Child Care in 2013 and I have been in the sector ever since. I am exactly where I need to be! I am so passionate about children's health, wellbeing and development. I constantly read and learn new information about children's emotions and neuroscience. I want to make it my mission to offer gentle parenting/educating and attachment based relationships to every child I meet. I have purposely set up a learning environment which allows the children to explore both indoors and outdoors freely. I wish to provide ample time and space for the children to explore a natural environment, where they can just be, interact with other children, a loving educator, pet chickens, a beautiful garden full of flowers, trees, vegetables and fruit. I wish to create a home away from home environment where children can be themselves, experience the freedom of choosing their work, relax, play, explore, imagine, laugh, cry, take risks, learn, feel nurtured and be safe. I am looking forward to meeting my new families and building a professional, reciprocal relationship with you.

Amazing skills

Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Certificate III in Children's services
Certificate IV in Children's services - Before/After school care
Montessori training AMI through SMTC in 0-3 and 3-6
Autism in Early Learning and Care settings
Circle of security
Working with Children Card
Child Protection Certificate
Food Safety Supervision
Food Safety Training
Safe Infant Sleeping Certificate
Sun Smart Certificate
Supervision Training
First aid and CPR certificate

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 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.

Cultural diversity will be celebrated and the benefits of it for each individual child and enable them to understand and acknowledge differences.

At Ms. Brett’s house we gather on the land of the Noongar people. I like to knowledge aboriginal and Torres straight Islander peoples as the traditional considerations of this land and their connection to the land, water and the community in which we operate. I Pay respect to their culture, customs, both past and present.

I believe the environment plays a major role in the success of an early childhood program. It should enhance the children’s interests in all developmental domains. I believe learning in an early childhood environment is done most successfully through the outdoors within nature, exploring, in a safe, clean home like space, time and space to create and revisited again and again. The environment should take into consideration the social skills, communication skills, physical abilities or challenges, and learning styles of the children being served.

I have high expectations for every child, I’m always there to guide them to next level but always amazed at what children CAN do. The early years of a child’s life are busy. Learning is happening all the time and is interwoven through all developmental domains simply with nature and creative space. These include: physical, social/emotional, cognitive and communication. Therefore, the goal of my program is to make this ongoing learning experience safe, positive, and fun, nurturing the whole child as I strive to guide them into the next stage of development with confidence in themselves and an excitement for continued learning.

Families are a vital aspect of my program. Parents who are able to spend time with us occasionally are more aware of the details of their child’s day. Observing what goes on first-hand helps a parent know what to ask the child at the end of the day. My home is always (within reason) open for a cuppa and chat. In family day care, I care about each family member as much as the child in care. We are a team and I always care about each of you.

Children need the assurance of being loved and cared for while they are enjoying an “educational” environment. Teaching children is my passion. Security and trust are very important components as well, of my relationship with each child.

In planning my program I would strive for a developmentally appropriate, child-centred atmosphere where children have the opportunity to master new challenges through activities and topics that are meaningful to them, thus building their self-esteem as they develop and learn. Children should be given choices, responsibilities, and opportunities to initiate their own learning. I believe observations and assessments are excellent tools to use when planning a curriculum. Observations, not only aid in creating the curriculum but also give insight into the development, knowledge and skill levels of each individual child.

Last, but maybe most important, I give children the ability to just BE. BE children, BE happy, BE still, BE emotional, BE messy, BE dangerous, BE silly, BE loud, BE quiet, Be whatever they need.

Welcome to my service

More photos

Key services

Montessori

Following the Montessori pedagogy

Human environment

Respectful and nurturing interactions with children

Age

Caring for children aged 2.5 years and over (waitlist for children under 2.5 years)

Outdoor

Veggie garden and chickens

Contact Maria

If you are interested in a tour of Maria's place, don't hesitate to get in touch with her.

Contact me!

Read my handbook

My fees

Standard

$119

/per session

8:00am - 3:30pm

My availability

Mon

No Availability Today

Tues

Today our FDC is closed

Wed

No Availability Today

Thu

Today our FDC is closed

Fri

No Availability Today

Testimonials

Maria looked after my now 15 year old when he was little up to about 10 years old. Maria is warm, gentle and caring. I dont think I've had a better educator. Hopefully when we relocate back to the area she will have space for my 2 under 2 babies'
Fiona

As her Manager, I hired Maria to be the Curriculum Leader at our long daycare service and it was the best decision I had made. Maria is amazing ✨ She is a great mentor for the team, she has the most caring, gentle personality, focusing on each child as an individual and does what ever it takes to support their journey through early childhood. All the children love her. She always includes and values the families opinions and ideas in her decision making when it comes to educational programs and care practices and really focuses on the idea that 'it takes a village to raise a child. I Highly recommend Maria, she is one in a million.
Emma

I’ve known Maria for a long time and she is an inspiration for all educators. Maria has the ability to connect with children of all ages. Passionate about the childcare industry and helping children develop their social, emotional, and intellectual skills. She is a caring, hardworking and an enthusiastic childcare professional with strong communication and organisational skills.
Manuela

'The best family early learning center for my child!I just love it!'

Petra

I could not recommend Maria's 'Tree of Learning' enough. Maria's genuine passion for working with young children shines through in everything she does. As you enter the very generously sized 'Tree of Learning' area, a sense of calm and wonder entices the children to go explore the amazing learning activities in the 'prepared environment', move their bodies and interact with the lovely animals. The FDC is organized to a high professional standard, with great transparent communication, reliable hours and a curriculum that includes things like fire drills etc. Thank you Maria for looking after my little people!
Margaret

'Maria, was our sons first daycare teacher at Ruth Landau Harb and he absolutely adored her. She gave him security and comfort when needed and gave him the freedom to develop by supporting him as he required. She was always open for discussion and recommendations. She was always very creative and found every day new fun things to explore and do for our little boy. We truly miss her but wish her all the best with her own business!
Anika

Maria is kind, caring and compassionate with all children she has the pleasure of teaching. I had the pleasure of working alongside Maria and watching the children naturally gravitate towards her soft and approachable self.
Tiani

I have had the pleasure of working with Maria in the past. She is one of the most kind, gentle and nurturing people I have ever come across. I have never met anyone with so much patience, understanding and respect towards children, parents and staff. Maria speaks to children with respect and gets down to their level to explain to them in ways they would understand. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of child development is certainly something any educator would strive to achieve.

But it wasn't until I became a parent that I realized how special Maria really is. Since becoming a parent myself I can honestly say Maria is one of the very few people I could happy and confidently leave my son in her care and not worry once. I would know without a doubt that he would be in the best possible care with such a loving, gentle soul. Any parent would be so lucky to have Maria look after their child. If I wasn't staying home with my own boy I know I would be choosing Maria.

Jennifer

Maria is a winner in life! She has found her ultimate passion and place in our world - loving, caring and educating our youngest learners. She is self motivated to upskill herself, patient, fun, and conscious of her surroundings. Maria develops positive relationships with all families and i guarantee you She will treat every child as her own.
Meg

I have worked with Maria for the last six months or so and she has shared a lot of knowledge and support within the centre. As a first year ECT, she has guided me in different aspects of documentation, observation and learning experiences for children that are meaningful for the child and their families. Maria’s passion for children, their families and her co-workers is amazing. I am 110% confident Maria will go out and beyond to meet the needs of your child and family.
Tara

I cannot recommend Maria from The Tree of Learning Montessori enough, she provides a caring, supportive, gentle approach and individualised support to each child. Our son is flourishing and confidence has grown so much, this is something ourselves and Maria agreed we should focus on. Maria provides a safe, fun, loving, clean environment and she is such a loving and understanding person. I've noticed how Maria makes my son want to learn and it's wonderful seeing all the amazing fun things they do and explore each day. Best decision we ever made was for him to join The Tree of Learning Montessori with Maria
Laura

Contact me!

If you have an enquiry, please contact me.

Direct contact

To book a tour or for any other enquiry, you can email me at mariaoikonomou11@gmail.com or call me on the following number 0411 395 331.

Please remember not to call me during FDC opening hours.