Discover why we’re passionate about Early Education Training
Margaret runs bespoke on-site or online Team Training courses for your service.
Margaret Vassallo
Senior Manager – Quality and Training
Margaret’s wealth of knowledge in early education and willingness to go the extra mile to support educators makes her our trainer extraordinaire!
Margaret began working in the Early Childhood sector in 1993. As she revelled in working with children as an Early Childhood Teacher in long day care, preschools and occasional care, she has also enjoyed Director roles, and now specialises in Educator Training and Quality Assurance.
It’s no surprise that Margaret has a lifelong love of learning, not only for herself, but also to help educators deepen knowledge so they can work smarter, not harder. She has an exceptional talent for teaching complex concepts in simple, everyday language that everyone can understand. Above all, she takes pride in sharing her knowledge, mentoring and educating others.
Margaret’s specialties as an Early Education Trainer are play, planning, reflective practice, continuous improvement, leadership and all things NQS and EYLF. She loves working with teams to strive for quality care and education for children.
Margaret has lived and worked her whole life on Darug land and has a passion for learning about lost histories and is committed to putting reconciliation into practice in respect for the world’s oldest culture.
People say that Margaret’s superpower is her calming energy which filters out to those around her, helping everyone feel at ease. It’s also her creative and positive nature that draws people in to her teaching style and makes training with her a treat.
Margaret’s spirit animal is the otter – a nurturing soul who likes to play, have fun and enjoy every day.
Current Training with Margaret
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Kirralea runs bespoke on-site or online Team Training courses for your service.
Kirralea Lyneham
Training Lead
Kirralea is a genuine advocate for the wellbeing of children. She lives and breathes early childhood education and it shines in her training.
Kirralea has 25 years experience in the Early Childhood sector as an ECT, Manager and Director in Long Day Care and Preschool services – including working in a remote community on Magnetic Island in North Queensland. She has also enjoyed teaching at TAFE NSW and Open Colleges as both a Trainer and Assessor.
Kirralea is committed to professional development and is always looking for ways to better herself and pass on that knowledge to others. Working as both a Trainer and Educator, she loves bringing her training to life with real and current experiences to support the learning of educators.
As an Early Childhood Educator, she specialises in child protection, children’s health & safety, guiding & supporting children’s behaviour and wellbeing.
Kirralea was born on Gadigal Land (Marrickville, NSW) and currently lives and works on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne and is passionate about embedding traditional culture and respect of our First Nations people in the classroom.
Anyone who meets Kirralea says she’s a ray of sunshine – radiating love and positivity – making people feel instantly comfortable.
In her spare time, she plays futsal, loves watching AFL and exploring her new homeland in Victoria with her family.
Kirralea says her spirit animal is a dolphin because they’re free, playful, happy and strong.
Current Training with Kirralea
Nancy Xuereb
Training Officer
Nancy is the cheery voice you’ll get when contacting the Children First team – she’s the go-to person who keeps it all running!
Nancy has worked in the Early Childhood sector for over 15 years in both childcare and administration roles, as well as working on a number of child and family government funded projects across Western Sydney. She also enjoyed mentoring students and trainees of all levels.
Nancy has a passion for play-based learning, sustainability and providing high quality, beautiful environments for children.
Nancy’s passion for educating led her to join the Children First Training team in 2017. As much as she misses working with children every day, she loves the opportunity this role gives her to use her knowledge in the sector to organise exciting new courses for educators to expand their skills.
Nancy has lived and worked on Darug land all her life and pays respects to the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land.
Nancy exudes kindness, positivity and compassion and her laugh will light up the room! In her spare time, she enjoys caravanning, cooking and spending time with her family.
Nancy’s spirit animal is the hawk. She loves the idea of flying high in the sky soaring over different towns and cities, landing at different places and seeing the world from a different perspective.