“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

    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 bush 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

    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.

    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

    The ocean has always been home for 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 spending a few years 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

    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

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

  • Tara Kirk

    EDUCATOR

    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.