Our team

We believe that happy children learn better and we strive to provide the environment where children can feel safe and secure.

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  Abha Pathak

  Director of Sea Urchins

  Abha is the Nominated Supervisor and the Director of our Centre. She has a Master of Education, Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood Leadership).

  Abha has been working with little children for a long time.She has very diverse work experience including teaching in Melbourne, working as a Language and Learning Support teacher in Manchester, U.K and has over 35 years of experience as a generalist teacher, Junior Area coordinator and teacher in-charge of a primary school. Before moving to beautiful Harrington she worked as the Acting Director and Assistant Director at one of the best preschools in Canberra with over 130 places.

  She loves the natural curiosity and creativity in children and wants to develop it further. Besides literacy and numeracy Abha would also like the children to be engaged further in the arts and music and she is currently working towards enhancing the existing program at Sea Urchins. She wants to make learning ‘fun’.

  She is keenly interested in brain development in early childhood and its association with resilience and success in the future and how early intervention can affect giftedness and learning difficulties as well.

  She also enjoys reading, drawing and painting and taking long walks along the river’s edge.

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  Shenae Beazley

  Educator

  Shenae is an Educator at Sea Urchins Childcare. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and is working towards a double degree in Bachelor of Education (Early years and Primary). She has been part of the Child care industry professionally since 2014. In her own words: “The early years of a child’s life are busy and the most important. A successful educator like myself believes that the quality of education and care early in life leads to better health, personal development, education and employment outcomes later in life which will help build their society and one’s self.”
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  Rebecca Wells

  Educational Leader/Educator

  Rebecca is our Educational Leader and the Room Leader of the Whales Room (3-5 year olds). She has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and a Bachelor of Teaching (0-5). She has worked as a teacher educator for 20 years. In her words: “Working in Early Childhood Education has always been my interest and passion. I feel very lucky to have begun my teaching journey here at Sea Urchins from the very beginning. I love living and working in what I believe is a wonderful community and love building beautiful and respectful relationships with families from our community. I feel very lucky to be part of your children’s development and to watch them learn and grow and evolve before heading off to school.” She also enjoys going on walks around the breakwall and spending time on the beach with her two children.
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  Hannah Christensen

  Educator

  Hannah is an educator in the Whales room (3-5 year olds). She works from Monday to Friday. She is currently completing her Diploma in Children Services and has worked in Child Care for 8 years. She enjoys working with families and listening to the children to build relationships and help children learn. In Hannah’s own words “outside of work I enjoy camping, swimming at the beach and catching up with family.”
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  Jessica Mongan

  Educator

  Jessica has been working locally in childcare for 15 years. She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and is currently working in the Starfish Room (2-3 year olds). In her own words: “I am passionate in engaging children in learning relationships; helping to prepare children for the transition to Primary school, supporting them to become confident and enthusiastic learners. Outside of work I enjoy family time, caravanning, fishing and bike riding. I am also interested in creative arts and community programs.”
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  Shinal Lal

  Educator

  Shinal started working in childcare industry in year 2008 and is currently working in the Starfish room (2-3 year olds).  She has completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is about to complete her Diploma studies. She generally works the afternoon shift and is able to relate well with children in all age groups at our Centre. In her own words: “What do I like about childcare is being able to teach a child something new and watching the ‘twinkle’ in their eyes. Also listening to them whistle as they play - how their imaginations works…makes me smile!” In her spare time she loves cooking and travelling.
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  Joanne Dunn

  Educator/Room Leader

  Joanne is an educator/Room Leader of the 0-2  Jellyfish room.  She has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and has been in the child care industry since 2014. In her own words: ‘As an educator, I believe in taking a holistic approach by paying attention to children’s physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual well being as well as cognitive aspects of learning.  An integrated, holistic approach to teaching and learning also focuses on connections to the natural world.’
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  Rebecca Potts

  Educator

  Rebecca completed her Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care and began working at Sea Urchins as a casual educator.

  In her own words:

  “I have had a passion for working with young children ever since I was a little girl. I enjoy reading books based on what the children are learning, singing songs and encouraging the children to join in at group time and also making sure transitioning runs smoothly for the child. My first priority is the safety of each child. In the upcoming years I hope to continue my career at Sea Urchins and hope to meet you and your child so we can learn and have fun together.”

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  Krishneel Lal

  Educator

  Krishneel has been working with Sea Urchins since 2018. He has a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is working towards his diploma studies. He works mostly in the Whales Room along with two more teachers. Although you may find him in any of the rooms as he may relieve other educators for morning tea or lunch. In his own words: “For me childcare is an awesome industry to be in. It’s filled with uncontrollable laughter, heaps of cute moments and it's full of life. It's such a beautiful experience to be around young minds that are full of curiosity, imagination and craziness. I am very grateful to be in the childcare industry and when I am not on the floor I love to play video games, watch cartoons and socialise with my family and friends.”