Michelle Smeets

WA State Manager

Hi my name is Michelle. I am the State Manager for Training Unlimited here in WA as well as an Early Childhood Education and Care Training Specialist. I started my journey in the sector over 20 years ago, the best part of my job is being able to inspire educators to be positive role models for children and watching their confidence grow throughout their own individual learning journeys. I also really enjoy visiting services and spending time on the floor with the students children. One of my favourite quotes is "To teach is to touch a life forever" something Educators do each and everyday. I also have 3 children 15, 13 & 7 who are my absolute world.

Jennifer Nightingale

WA ECEC General Manager & Training Specialist

I have been in the Early Childhood sector for almost 30 years and love each and every minute. As the sector is ever evolving, I have built strong foundations within early learning professionals and centres and ensure the information and training we provide is current, research based and a reflection of what the sector strives to achieve. I have been employed in a variety of roles and am truly passionate about being 'Instigators of Change'. We have developed the Traineeship program around meeting the needs of each individual student and supporting the centres, as a whole. My areas of expertise are Culture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and Child Protection. I love watching our student's confidence and skills blossom throughout their learning journey and make a difference to the children's lives that they touch.

Tiffany Knox

WA ECEC Training Specialist

I have over 7 years experience in the Early Childhood Education and Care profession, where I filled the positions of an assistant educator and room leader within all age groups. I became a Trainer and Assessor, specialising in Early Childhood Education and Care in October 2021. I am very passionate about the sector and am forever looking to further my knowledge and share my experiences with my students to implement constant improvements. I enjoy being on the floor with my students to gain the "feel" of the centre and support hands on learning. I believe the best way to build a positive relationship with children is to support their emotional needs and have fun with them by joining in on the learning experience. My areas of high interest are Noongar culture, child development and natural environments that promote sustainability.

Olivia Ketterridge

WA ECEC Training Specialist

My name is Olivia Ketteridge, I'm a Training Specialist for Training Unlimited and I deliver the Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. I am an experienced and passionate Trainer with having worked in the Childcare Sector for 32 years. Using my skills and knowledge to empower and mentor educators to be their best self, to be able to provide high quality education and care to children of today's future. Join the TU team enables me to share my knowledge with other educators and be part of a team that raises the standards of education and care that we provide to children. I continue to be involved in my own professional development to keep up with the changes within the sector and teach my new skills to others.

Ellie Basilio

WA ECEC Training Specialist

With 25 years (plus) in the Early Childhood Education sector I have held a number of roles that have equipped me with the knowledge and insight to support the people around me. Throughout the years, my passion for assisting people be the best versions of themselves was becoming quite an obsession. So, I developed short personal development sessions to help my colleagues. I became a Trainer 12 years ago (2011) with a promise and intention to assist our new and existing educators understand this complex career and enjoy the journey. With my thirst for knowledge, I spent almost 3 years with a personal Leadership Coach teaching me leadership skills so that I could expand my scope and assist our leaders in their roles with confidence and charisma. I love my time as a trainer and feel that I have found my corner of the universe. I have been married for 31 years (1992 grand final day) to my best friend Jose whom we share the travel passion and 2 adult children Zack (27) and Josie (25). I enjoy reading romance novels and supernatural movies and shopping for shoes and clothes are my addiction.

Sharee Hitchcock

WA ECEC Training Specialist

My name is Sharee Hitchcock. I am a training specialist for training unlimited, delivering both the Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. I have over 24 years experience in the ECEC industry spanning from the role of a student to a room leader to a director to service owner. I moved into training and assessment 16 years ago with a vision to passing on my passion for Early Childhood Education and Care to the educators of today. I believe the ECEC industry is forever evolving and am committed to keeping up to date with the latest trends by attending professional developments and working in collaboration with services and their educators to ensure my knowledge and training is current and a reflection of the industry. I have a high interest in play based learning with a link to the appreciation to the natural environment with pedagogical practices that enrich habits that embed equity, diversity and inclusion. A educator is best invested interacting with the children resulting in a passion in observations and curriculum planning that invests in acting in the best interest of the children at all times. The best part of being a trainer is being able to inspire, support and grow the next generation of educators to empower them to provide high quality education and care to children with an aim to raise the standard of practices in the industry. While my role will be to pass on knowledge to students, spending time with them on the floor to provide role modelling and mentoring is essential. I am eager to work with my students and enjoy watching their confidence grow throughout their own learning journeys as they embrace challenges and reap the rewards of their progress.

Ellie Farrington

SA ECEC Training Specialist

Maddy Froome

WA ECEC Training Specialist

My name is Maddy, over my nine years in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector I became very passionate about child education, meaningful relationships and supporting educators to exceed the traditional care and education standards, setting them up for success in the sector. I specialize in: Quality area 2 - Childrens health and safety, Quality area 3 - Physical environment, Quality area 5 - Relationships with children. I recognize that children have the right to make choices and decisions in their day to day life, by creating meaningful, positive relationships with children gives them the opportunity to be confident in the environment they are in and to learn to the best of their ability.