Learning Together: Kerrie O’Neill Inspires at Explorers Nunawading 

Kerrie O’Neill’s presence at Explorers Early Learning Nunawading, through coaching and mentoring, has uplifted Educators practice, creating meaningful enhancements and excitement in the process.

With nearly four decades of experience in early learning and childhood education, Kerrie is a deeply respected voice in the sector. Known not only for her practical expertise but also for her unwavering passion. At Explorers Early Learning, her presence is both inspirational and transformative, anchoring the organisation’s commitment to participatory education inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach®.

A turning point in Kerrie’s career came in the mid-1990s when she was first introduced to the Educational Project of Reggio Emilia. This educational approach would come to define much of her professional journey.

“I first went to Reggio in 1996, but I was introduced to the ideas in 1994,” she explains. Since then, she has returned to the Italian city 15 times over 30 years, a testament to her commitment to deeply understanding and authentically experimenting with Reggio-inspired practices in the Australian context.

Kerrie’s deep connection to Reggio Emilia is both theoretical and practical. At Explorers Early Learning, our centres take inspiration from the Reggio principles and values. As an expert, Kerrie works as a mentor and coach for Educators, helping them implement the Explorers curriculum with intention and authenticity.

Currently, Kerrie is playing a vital role at Explorers Early Learning as the Pedagogical Thinker in Residence.

“Through the coaching and mentoring process, I’m trying to encourage Educators to challenge the dominant discourse,” she says. “The things that they’ve been told by other people…I try and have a conversation with them about why they are doing what they’re doing.”

Her Journey at Explorers Nunawading

Throughout June and July, Kerrie has been a regular and welcome presence at Explorers Early Learning Nunawading, working at the centre three days a week to mentor educators and enhance the environments to inspire even greater engagement amongst the children.

“The intent was for me to come in and uplift Educators’ practice.”

Explorers Nunawading – proudly rated as Meeting the National Quality Standard – offers a unique and hands-on experience for children. Utilising the Reggio Emilia Approach and applying these concepts in the Explorers Learning for Life Curriculum, our Nunawading centre provides children with the opportunity to:

• Connect with nature through the Bush Kinder program
• Learn and create with our unique Visual Arts Program
• Experience joy
• Participate in play-based learning

Kerrie has brought expertise and practical thinking to support the Educators and leaders in enriching children’s learning experiences. She’s been instrumental in enhancing learning environments through critical reflection processes.

“It’s really important for children to have as many experiences with materials during the day as possible,” Kerrie says. “That includes mark-making materials (such as paintbrushes and pencils), recycled materials, dress-up, blocks and many more.”

Inspiring Explorers Educators to dive deeper

Kerrie’s coaching and mentoring encourages Educators to critically reflect on everything they do so they don’t teach out of habit, they teach with intentionality.

“If they’re only doing it because someone else told them to do it, that’s not good enough,” Kerrie begins. “I’m really encouraging them all to say, why are we doing it this way?”

By working closely with all the teams, Kerrie’s impact will be long-lasting. Through coaching and collaboration, she has built capacity within the team so they can confidently continue to deliver high-quality education and consistent care to each and every child at Explorers Nunawading.

Her ongoing mission is to ensure that early childhood Educators remain reflective, intentional, and inspired. Through her Reggio-informed lens and her decades of practical experience, she empowers Educators to see children as active participants in their own learning.

Her presence at Explorers Nunawading highlights the value of expert mentorship and thoughtfully designed environments in early childhood education, making a lasting difference in both teaching practices and children’s learning.

Kerrie is proud to witness the Explorers Nunawading team’s newfound passion and excitement and amongst the Educators, families and children.

Early Childhood Education is not just about getting children ready for school. Rather, it’s about making sure that they are equipped for the challenges of formal schooling and leave Explorers confident and enthusiastic.

 To tour Explorers Nunawading or one of our other beautiful centres, please click here. Otherwise, check out our website to register your interest at Explorers Early Learning today!