Padstow Kids Learning Academy

Hello, I am Emma Agarao, and I am a senior educator here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. Originally from the Philippines, I speak Filipino and English, and I love sharing a little of my culture with the children and families I meet.

I bring nineteen years of experience in early childhood education and care. I began my career in Darwin, where I worked from 2007 to 2022, before relocating to Sydney. I hold a Diploma in Children's Services, and over the years I have learned that there is no situation I cannot handle with calm, care, and experience.

Many of the families and educators here lovingly call me the mother of the centre, and that is a title I wear with pride. I am passionate about supporting each child's learning, development, and wellbeing, and I take great care to create a warm, engaging, and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and confident to learn and grow.

I am Heidi Shakir, the Nominated Supervisor here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. I come from an Assyrian background and speak Assyrian, Arabic, Urdu, and English, which helps me connect with families from many different cultures.

I bring over thirteen years of experience in early childhood education and care, and I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

I am passionate about creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for our children, families, and educators alike. Building strong relationships with families means the world to me, and I am dedicated to ensuring high-quality care and education right across our centre.

Young and full of energy, I love being hands-on. You will find me in the reception and office area, but just as often I am in the rooms alongside our educators, helping out with the day-to-day activities and spending time with the children. Please do stop by and say hello.

Hello, I am Krishna Bhavani, the Approved Provider and Business Owner of Padstow Kids Learning Academy and the Kids Learning Academy group. Originally from India, I speak Tamil, Hindi, and English, and I deeply value the rich mix of cultures that make up our Padstow community.

I am an experienced early childhood professional with qualifications in both business and early childhood education, and I have had the privilege of leading teams across Australia and South Africa. For over twenty-two years I have dedicated myself to early childhood education, and I lead with a strong child-centred philosophy in everything I do.

I oversee the governance, compliance, educational programs, and educator leadership across our centres, always with a warm and empathetic approach. I am also the owner-operator of Blairmount Kids Learning Academy and an Approved Provider for multiple services.

What I care about most is creating safe, inclusive learning environments where every child can flourish, and building genuine partnerships with families. I am committed to high-quality care and continuous improvement, and I welcome every family who walks through our doors as part of the Kids Learning Academy family.

Hello, I am Natalie Herbert, and I am a Room Leader here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. I come from a Thai background and speak Thai and English, and I love building warm, friendly connections with every child and family I meet.

I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, along with my Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, and I am trained in First Aid and CPR. I bring over five years of experience in the early childhood sector, having worked as a trainee educator, a Responsible Person, and a Diploma Room Assistant across several centres in South-West Sydney, supporting the day-to-day routines and contributing to the curriculum.

I am full of energy, and I have the strength and patience to keep up with even the most lively, high-energy children, turning that energy into play, learning, and fun. I am highly organised, adaptable, and a great listener, and I am passionate about leading my team with encouragement and positivity so that together we bring out the very best in every child.

Hello, I am Reefat Marium, and I am a Senior Educator here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy, caring for our youngest children aged zero to three years in our Caterpillar Room. Originally from Bangladesh, I speak Bengali and English, and I love welcoming families from all cultures into our room.

I bring over fifteen years of experience in early childhood education and care, and I hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. Those first three years of life are some of the most important, and I feel privileged to be part of them.

I am passionate about creating a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment where our little ones can explore, grow, and thrive. Building strong, trusting relationships with both children and families is at the heart of everything I do, and I take great pride in providing the highest quality care and learning experiences every single day.

I am Renu Pokhrel, and I am an educator here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. Originally from Nepal, I speak both Nepali and English, and I love being able to connect with children and families from all walks of life.

I am currently undertaking my Graduate Diploma leading to a Master of Teaching, and I also hold a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. With over three years of experience in the early childhood sector, I have grown to understand just how precious these early years are.

Hello, I am Tenest Aeshabah, and I am a Room Leader here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. I come from an Assyrian background and speak Assyrian, Arabic, Urdu, and English, and I love being able to connect with families from many different cultures.

I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and bring nine years of experience working with children aged zero to six years. I have worked across a range of age groups, including both our Caterpillar Room and our Butterfly Room, so I understand the needs of every stage of early childhood.

I am also a proud mother of three, so caring for children comes naturally to me. It is simply who I am. I strive to create a warm, secure, and stimulating environment where every child feels supported as they learn and grow.

Hello, I am Thuy DO, and I am the cook here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. Every day I prepare fresh, wholesome meals for our children, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them enjoy good food and grow strong and healthy.

I am also a qualified educator with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, so you will often find me in the rooms as well, covering lunch breaks and keeping the children engaged alongside our educators. I bring my experience from the kitchen into everything I do, with a close eye on safety and the wellbeing of every child.

My passion is making sure every child in our care receives the highest level of nutrition. I believe that healthy, delicious meals are the foundation for happy learning, and I take great pride in nourishing our little ones each and every day.

Hello, I am Warda Quadri, and I am an educator here at Padstow Kids Learning Academy. Originally from India, I speak Telugu, Hindi, and English, and I love getting to know the many cultures and families that make up our centre community.

I am currently pursuing my studies in Early Childhood Education at Polytechnic Institute Australia, and I am so grateful to be learning and growing alongside such a wonderful team. Every day here teaches me something new about how children learn, play, and connect with the world around them.

I am passionate about supporting children in their early years and helping them feel safe, happy, and confident. I truly enjoy working together with my fellow educators, building warm relationships with the children, and contributing to the caring and engaging learning environment that families love about Padstow Kids Learning Academy.