Our Team
Honeybears is committed to providing children and families with an enthusiastic, resourceful and dedicated team of professional early childhood educators and support staff.
Joanne
As the Owner of Honeybears she is passionate about providing excellence in early childhood education and ensuring the highest of standards are maintained. With her Honours degree in Human Resource Management as well as her Diploma in Children’s Services, Joanne is passionate about the team’s ongoing professional development. Having visited the Loris Malaguzzi Centres in Reggio Emilia –Italy, Joanne has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, where the environment is characterized by natural beauty and acts as a third teacher. As such, at Honeybears, we provide a natural, home like environment, abundant with open ended materials for children to collaborate with each other, allowing them to explore and discover at their own pace. Joanne ensures that the Honeybears program is holistic and that educator and children’s interactions are always in line with our values and philosophy.
Jodie
With over 25 years experience in the Early Childhood industry, Jodie leads the team as our Manager and Nominated Supervisor. Jodie offers invaluable practical experience coupled with her qualifications of a Diploma in Children’s Services and Bachelor of Teaching Degree. Jodie specialises in facilitating new and unprecedented curriculums in Early Childhood, ensuring to use reflective practices to include the Early Years Learning Framework and the principles within the National Quality Framework. Jodie has designed a unique and tailor made School Preparation Program exclusively for Honeybears which has proven to prepare each child for school, to ensure a smooth and easy transition to the school environment. Jodie has been part of the Honeybears family since 2008 and divides her time in both rooms whilst also ensuring to be a support person for the team.
Jane
Jane is an advocate for education and has completed her Masters Degree in Teaching and has over 12 years experience in Early Childhood. Jane is our Service Manager and Workplace Health and Safety Officer, ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed meticulously throughout the day. Jane shares her knowledge with the team and as such inspires a community of educators who are renowned for their programming ideas and excellent curriculum. Jane has been part of the Honeybears family since 2008.
Kayla
Kayla is one of our dedicated Service Managers at Honeybears and holds both a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Bachelor of Education (Birth–5 Years). With over 10 years of experience in the early childhood sector, she brings a strong foundation of knowledge, passion, and professionalism to her role. Kayla is deeply committed to providing exceptional programs that support and enrich each child’s overall development. As a proud advocate for inclusion, she ensures the Honeybears curriculum reflects the values and diversity of Australian society and upholds an anti-bias approach across all learning environments. Building meaningful relationships with children and families is at the heart of Kayla’s practice. She values the importance of nurturing strong, collaborative partnerships with parents to ensure each child receives consistent, supportive care. Kayla has been a valued member of the Honeybears family since 2016, and her dedication continues to positively influence our community and curriculum.
Laura
Laura is one of our dedicated Service Managers at Honeybears, fulfilling the unique and dynamic role of Remote Online Manager. She holds both a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Bachelor of Education (Birth–5 Years), bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. A passionate leader and mentor, Laura inspires and supports educators in their ongoing learning and professional growth. She plays a pivotal role in extending the team’s qualifications and educational development, acting as an advocate for meaningful, continuous learning. In her daily work, Laura coordinates team schedules, facilitates room and team meetings, and ensures that reflective practice remains a core part of Honeybears culture. She also leads the organisation of our various “crew” groups—Community, Sustainability, Wellbeing, Inclusion, and RAP/Cultures—providing every educator with the opportunity to contribute to and enrich the Honeybears curriculum. Laura has been a cherished member of the Honeybears family since 2012, spending her first 12 years on-site before transitioning to her remote role from her home in Queensland. Her commitment, experience, and leadership continue to shape and strengthen our team and community.