OUR PHILOSOPHY
At First Five Early Learning we celebrate who children are now. We recognise learning begins from birth, with the first five years the most critical and sensitive for shaping children’s health and wellbeing, learning and development.
We foster children’s natural propensity to learn through play and discovery. We draw from early childhood education research and evidence-based practice to inform high quality approaches to teaching and learning.
We view children as capable learners and demonstrate respect for the multiple ways they represent their ideas and share their learning. We slow down in our work with children to hear their voices and respect their thinking.
We join with families and community to nurture children’s learning and development in their formative years. We respond to children’s identities, cultures and languages and recognise family and community as children’s first and most influential teachers.
OUR STORY
First Five Early Learning brings together a group of professionals who understand quality in early childhood education and care service delivery. With a simple desire to do the work well, the management group are invested in quality outcomes for children, families and centre teams.
With a combined 60 years’ experience in the early childhood education and care sector, and similar in leadership and business operations, the First Five Early Learning management group will continue to influence and advocate for high quality approaches to early education and care. As active members of the Australian early childhood education and care community, we provide an exemplar of service delivery to the sector.
Our purpose at First Five Early Learning is to join with families and community to establish a secure foundation for young children’s health and wellbeing, learning and development.
OUR TEAM
A highly experienced team of professionals who deliver on all aspects of high-quality service delivery and growth objectives including pedagogy and practice, regulatory and compliance requirements, building team capability, and positioning in market.
Dr Melinda Miller
Director of Early Learning
(PhD; BEd (Early Childhood) (Hons 1); FHEA)
Early childhood education and care specialist with a demonstrated history working with providers, government and higher education. Specialist areas include child development, inclusive education, sustainability education and early childhood education pedagogy. Active member of the national and international early childhood education sector via publications, presentations, consultancy, and committee membership.
Rebecca Seager
Head of Operations
Highly experienced early childhood education and care professional who has owned her own centre previously and worked with large national providers in senior operational roles. Specialist areas include uplifting team culture, leading teams through change, and employee engagement. Subject matter expert on Child Care Subsidy (CCS), Child Care Management System (CCMS), National Regulations and development of policy.
JASON BALL
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jason Ball is an accomplished CEO and General Manager with over 25 years’ experience in leading large scale multi-unit, multi-brand organisations across the early childhood education and care, retail and hospitality sectors. Jason has worked within listed companies (ASX200, NZX50), global corporations, and large entrepreneurial private companies.
Mary-Anne Ball
Director and Company Secretary
(MBA; BSc; DipEd)
Experienced strategy, planning and operations executive and a qualified secondary school teacher. Highly skilled in communications, organisation and networking, while bringing a real-world perspective of busy families.
Daniel Fahey
Development Manager
GradDip Property Studies; LREA
Daniel is a well rounded Property and Development professional with a demonstrated history of working with some of Australia’s largest retailers and Early Learning providers. Skilled in Acquisitions, Negotiation, Site Selection and Project delivery.