Meet Our Staff
Karen Seymour,
Service Manager
Karen Seymour has over 30 years experience in the child care industry; of which 23 years include running a successful Family Day Care (FDC) business from her own home. After many years working as a local FDC Educator and realising the need for a progressive, local scheme delivering quality early childhood education and care, our Service Manager Karen Seymour established Chasing Rainbows FDC in 2015.
Karen’s career in child care began working as a nanny with two local families over a number of years. Her experience also includes employment in a child care centre prior to starting her own family. Karen began working as a FDC Educator when her youngest child was 2 years old. She continued to successfully running her FDC business from home while raising her own three children and during this time has gone on to complete a Diploma in Children's Services.
Through the nurturing of the many children over three decades, Karen believes the first 5 years of a child’s life is the most crucial and lays the pattern of behaviour for the rest of their lives. These early years of a child’s life is when they need to be nurtured in a supportive environment to develop trusting relationships with the caregivers around them. When a child feels safe and has a sense of trust in their caregiver they will develop confidence and a willingness to engage in play-based learning. With this development of trust children can learn skills, knowledge and develop dispositions to help them achieve the true potential they were born with, now and later in life.
Vanessa Maruca,
Service Coordinator
Vanessa has 10 years experience in the Child Care industry. Joining Chasing Rainbows FDC in the role of a service coordinator in March 2018. Vanessa previously operated as an FDC educator and prior to having her own children she worked in Long Day Care for over 7 years. She was an Educational leader, preschool room leader, and an assistant Director.
Vanessa has tailored, created and worked very closely in programming children's learning through the curriculum - The Early Years Learning Framework. She has a strong belief in providing a safe, homely and secure environment, in which children may flourish and develop their individuality to their greatest potential. She believes in holistic programs that are responsive to children’s lives, interest and learning styles and promote each child’s social, cultural, physical, emotional, intellectual, language and creative potential.
Vanessa has completed a Certificate lll of Early Childhood Education and Care and a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Lisa Smart,
Service Coordinator
Lisa Smart has over 6 years experience working within the Childcare profession. She has previously worked in long day care, as well as family day care, prior to having her own children. In long day care, Lisa was an assistant Director and Room Leader of the babies room. Lisa holds a Diploma qualification and is also currently studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Lisa prides herself on her nurturing manner and patience with children and families. She believes in a safe and secure environment for children to be able to learn and grow. Lisa has a strong knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and believes by providing this safe environment for children they can reach their full potential of development through a play-based program.