“Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her”

- Urie Bronfenbrenner

Meet the Founders

  • Amanda England

    CO-FOUNDER l MANAGING DIRECTOR l ECT

    🌿Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology

    🌿Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)

    🌿Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

    🌿PhD Candidate - University of New England (Investigating Forest School philosophies and pedagogies in Australia) (in progress)

    🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader

    🌿First Aid in an Education Setting (incl. CPR, Anaphylaxis & Asthma)

    🌿Current Blue Card

    From a young age Amanda fondly remembers using tools in her Granddad's shed, playing in the bushland at her Nans’, building double decker go-karts, and constructing elaborate tree houses with pulley systems. Hence, you will often see her trying to set up 'risky play' adventures as that is one of her favourite things to do.

    Amanda is an experienced Teacher (Early Childhood/Primary), who passionately advocates for learning through play. With a love of nature and all creatures, big and small, Amanda was attracted to the nature play philosophy as it aligns with her values; child led, free play, in nature. When not at Little Wildlings, Amanda is working on her PhD researching nature play philosophy and pedagogy in Australia. With a deeper understanding of why we do, what we do, and how to do it, Amanda dreams of ensuring that all children have access to nature play.

  • Nicki Farrell

    CO-FOUNDER l COMPANY DIRECTOR

    🌿Bachelor of Education - English & HPE
    (Middle and Secondary School)

    🌿Diploma in Outdoor Recreation

    🌿Cert 4 in Environmental Tourism

    🌿Cert 4 in Training and Assessing

    🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader

    🌿First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis, Asthma

    🌿Current Blue Card

    Raised on a farm in remote South Australia, Nicki's favourite childhood memories are of family camping trips, climbing trees, hiding amongst wool bales and rock-hopping over rock pools. Accidentally stumbling across the respectful/attachment parenting philosophy shortly after having her first child enabled Nicki to begin to trust her child's innate curiosity and insatiable appetite to learn through play, which in turn led the family down the rabbit hole of alternative education options.

    An experienced High School PE and English Teacher and Outdoor Recreation Leader, Nicki's passions and expertise lie in outdoor recreation, educating educators, creating community connections, ecological literacy, environmental protection and stewardship, and ensuring diversity and alternatives in our education systems to better prepare our children for an uncertain future.

  • Vicci Oliver

    CO-FOUNDER l COMPANY DIRECTOR

    Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology and Ecotourism)

    🌿Graduate Diploma of Education
    (Middle and Secondary School)

    🌿Level 3 Forest School Leader

    🌿First Aid in an Education Setting, CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma

    🌿Current Blue Card

    The ocean has always been home for Marine Biologist and Science/Maths Teacher, Vicci. Living in South East Queensland has been the perfect backdrop for a life of adventure chasing dolphins and whales on a mission to spread a love for the natural world.

    After teaching in traditional schools, Vicci's world was soon opened to alternative models of learning, particularly the nature play philosophy, after the birth of her first daughter. The philosophy embodied many of Vicci's own lifestyle values and seemed to be the perfect blend of world-schooling and wild-schooling. Vicci's passions and expertise lie in marine education, respectful communication, child empowerment and educational freedom of choice.

Meet the Team

  • Fiona Corones

    ASSISTANT SERVICE DIRECTOR l LEAD EDUCATOR KINDY

    Diploma of Children’s Services

    I believe that my role is to support and encourage children to just be their amazing, brave, active selves. I love seeing how confident and involved they become as they look through a lens of curiosity.

  • Megan Kennedy

    LEAD EDUCATOR PRE-KINDY

    Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services

    I am passionate about the great outdoors and believe that the natural outdoor environment inspires an emergent style of learning, which I aim to support and nurture as I engage with the children.

  • Tara Kirk

    EDUCATOR

    Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care

    I believe that children should have the opportunity to explore, engage and learn through play in an environment that supports their individual interests, development, and needs.

  • Sarah Russell

    Educator | Bush Kindy Leader

    BSc Biomedical Science; PGDip Physician Assistant Studies; MTeach Primary (science); Berry Street Education Model (trauma informed); Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care

    Sarah spent 10 years working in the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, predominantly in neuro-rehabilitation. Given the interplay of predominant chronic ill-health conditions and stress, Sarah felt compelled to learn more about how to best regulate a haywire nervous system. This led her to study yoga therapy and eventually take the leap into primary/early childhood education with a view to supporting children to better understand their brains and bodies, and to potentially provide tools to help mitigate chronic disease down the track. Little Wildlings offer a wonder-full opportunity to nurture through nature.

  • Laura Fill

    Educator | Inclusion Support Leader

    Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care; Inclusion and Disability Support Training; Advanced Bush Kindy Training

     Laura began her journey in Early Childhood Education in 2023, inspired by the joy and fulfillment she found during her time at home raising her three boys. Her personal experiences, combined with her professional work in early education, have ignited a deep passion for supporting children with additional needs and disabilities. Laura strives to lay a strong foundation for children's learning and development by fostering trusting relationships with children and families, creating a sense of belonging and security that empowers children to confidently explore and engage with their environment. In mid-2025, Laura will begin her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, followed by a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support.



  • Jo Sorensen

    Early Childhood Teacher

    Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood); Level 4 Forest School Leader

    I have been in the industry since 1990 and have a lifelong focus on learning with, in and from nature.

  • Sara Brennan

    ASSISTANT SERVICE DIRECTOR | LEAD EDUCATOR

    Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care (Working Towards Diploma)


    I believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity and interest. I’m passionate about providing holistic care for each child, as well as encouraging love and appreciation for our world and conservation.

  • Shirona Lowe

    Early Childhood Teacher

    Master of Education (Inclusion and Trauma Aware Education - In Progress); Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood; Diploma in Montessori; Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

    My vision is for all children to connect deeply with Country, community, and self. Through natural materials and meaningful experiences, they grow as confident, independent learners with a strong sense of identity and belonging.