It’s People That Make the Difference
At Earthside Early School, we believe that the right people are everything. Beautiful resources and thoughtfully designed spaces are important, but they are nothing without passionate, skilled educators guiding every child’s learning journey. Our focus is on building a team who inspire, nurture, and challenge children to reach their full potential.
Why Our People Matter
As an owner-operated service with a strong background in People & Culture within the early childhood sector, we bring a deeply considered approach to recruitment. Research shows that high-quality teams are the single most important factor in positive child outcomes — more than facilities, toys, or curricula.
We carefully select educators who:
Share our values and philosophy
Bring skill, experience, and genuine care
Thrive in collaborative, reflective, and dynamic learning environments
Every new team member undergoes a rigorous process: screening, interviews, reference checks, and ongoing professional development. This ensures that every child at Earthside is supported by educators who are not only qualified but truly aligned with our approach to learning.
Hands-On Leadership
Being an owner-operated service means our leadership is actively involved every day. Earthside is made by people who are present, who understand the daily rhythms of the centre, and who see learning in action firsthand.
This hands-on approach brings tangible benefits:
Consistent Quality: Every educator is supported directly by leadership who know their strengths, challenges, and professional goals.
Rapid Responsiveness: Decisions can be made quickly to respond to children’s needs, family feedback, or changes in regulations.
Strong Culture: Our values are modelled daily, creating a cohesive, collaborative team environment where educators feel supported and motivated.
Personalised Support for Children and Families: Leadership presence ensures children receive tailored guidance and families are part of the learning journey.
Families can trust that decisions about their children’s care are made by people who are present, committed, and invested in the service’s day-to-day quality.
At Earthside, our focus is on people first: our educators, our children, and our families. Being owner-operated allows us to maintain the integrity of that focus every single day.
Meet the Village
Tess
Centre Director & Founder
With a background in early childhood education and a passion for creating meaningful environments, Tess founded Earthside as a place where care is truly personal. She is deeply involved in every part of the centre - from handpicking educators to greeting families at the door. Calm, clear, and connected, she leads with heart and integrity.
Sheena
Operations Lead
With years of experience in early childhood education and a background as a chef, Sheena brings creativity, care, and heart to everything she does. She has also led people and culture initiatives, supporting teams to grow and thrive. Calm, grounded, and deeply connected to the children, she is an essential part of Earthside, helping shape a welcoming, joyful environment for families and staff alike.