St Mary's Children Centre
Kensington, Victoria
Our People
Expertise that supports every child's journey.
Early childhood education is built on relationships, knowledge and professional practice.
At St Mary’s Children Centre, children are supported by qualified educators and teachers under the guidance of experienced educational leadership. Our team brings together different areas of knowledge and experience, working collaboratively to create learning environments where children can feel secure, develop confidence, pursue their interests and build the foundations for lifelong learning.
We believe strong education is not the result of one person working alone. It comes from a team that shares knowledge, reflects on practice, learns together and keeps children at the centre of every decision.
Our people are united by a shared commitment to high-quality learning, child safety, strong family partnerships and helping every child belong, learn, grow, flourish and build their character.
A Message from Our Centre Director
Welcome to St Mary’s Children Centre.
I understand that choosing an early childhood centre is an important decision for every family. As Centre Director, my priority is to ensure that every child who comes through our doors is safe, respected, known and supported to learn and grow.
We take the time to build genuine relationships with children and families, understand each child's individual needs and interests, and provide a learning environment where children can develop confidence, independence, friendships and a love of learning.
Our team is committed to working in partnership with families and continually improving the quality of our education and care. We look forward to welcoming your family to St Mary’s and being part of your child's early years journey.
Mariana Boules
Centre Director
Centre Director / ECT
Mariana
Qualifications
Mariana has a Bachelor of Law from overseas and has practised as a lawyer before pursuing her passion for early childhood and realising her dream of becoming a teacher.
Mariana has a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood & Primary) from the Australian Catholic University. She is a fully registered ECT and Primary teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).
Mariana also has:
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Southern Cross University).
Diploma of Management (Holmesglen).
Diploma of Financial Services (RMIT).
Mariana attained other qualifications and certificates, and is a highly qualified teacher, giving children at St Mary’s Children Centre a significant advantage, including excellent play-based learning and robust, effective school readiness.
Experience
Mariana has worked in the early childhood education sector for over 15 years, mostly in services recognised for high-quality practice through the National Quality Framework and rated as Excellent or Exceeding. This means Mariana’s leadership of St Mary’s Children Centre has a focus on excellent education. She brings her past experiences, from pioneers in the sector, locally to the children of St Mary’s Children Centre, Kensington | Vic.
Serving as both Centre Director and Early Childhood Teacher (ECT), Mariana seamlessly translates evidence-based pedagogical theory into daily learning and teaching practice, ensuring complete alignment across centre operations and learning programs. This managerial-teaching alignment only serves the children enrolled at St Mary’s, because all efforts are directed towards supporting children and families.
Mariana has contributed to the broader early childhood sector through research, professional publications and conference presentations. Her work has contributed to the evidence base informing early childhood practice and has supported the ongoing professional development of teachers and educators. Her involvement in research and professional knowledge-sharing reflects both her expertise in the field and her commitment to strengthening the quality of early childhood education.
Mariana is a certified mentor, through official training and experience. She has mentored other teachers, educators of all levels of qualifications, and has successfully empowered others to be amazing educators. Her passion for mentoring educators continues at St Mary’s Children Centre.
Due to her expertise and impact, Mariana has been invited by the Victorian Department of Education to be a member of the government’s Workforce Working Group. The Group was tasked with preparing the early childhood workforce for implementing the revised Victorian Early Years Learning & Development Framework (VEYLDF). The VEYLDF is the educational framework that all top-quality childcare services in Victoria use to plan and implement their learning programs and curricula.
Thus, through her governmental consulting role, Mariana’s expertise is currently guiding Victoria’s early childhood workforce in planning and implementing excellent educational programs for all children.
Mariana has been with St Mary’s Children Centre before its formal approval and was key to the Centre’s readiness to commence operations. She has personally developed key policies and procedures, selected educational resources, and designed the various indoor and outdoor learning areas. She has the closest knowledge of St Mary’s Children Centre, its amazing children, families, and educators.
Today, Mariana leads a passionate team of educators through her collaborative, empowering and shared leadership style, enriching the learning environment for all children and cultivating a culture of inclusion and oneness of heart.
Sample Research Output
Beyond the Centre
Outside her professional work in early childhood education, Mariana enjoys travelling, exploring the outdoors, music, and arts and crafts.
Our Team
Qualified people. Shared expertise. A commitment to every child.
At St Mary’s Children Centre Kensington, our team is united by a shared commitment to high-quality learning, child safety, strong family partnerships and helping every child belong, learn, grow, flourish and build their character.
Our team includes qualified and experienced early childhood educators and Early Childhood Teachers, with qualifications spanning early childhood education and higher education. Educators undertake ongoing professional development to maintain and strengthen their knowledge, skills and practice.
Working Together for Every Child
Quality early childhood education is a team effort.
Our educators work collaboratively to observe children's learning, plan meaningful experiences, reflect on practice and respond to each child's interests, strengths and individual needs. They share observations, ideas and professional knowledge so that understanding a child's learning is not dependent on one educator alone.
Our educators are responsible for delivering the educational program, supporting children's wellbeing and development, maintaining effective supervision and implementing the Centre's health, safety and child protection practices.
This collaborative approach allows the team to combine play-based learning with intentional teaching, creating opportunities for children to develop confidence, independence, communication, relationships, problem-solving and the capabilities they need for their next stage of learning.
Child Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
Child safety is an essential responsibility of every team member.
Staff, students and volunteers are subject to appropriate screening and suitability requirements. All educators undertake relevant child-safety training and meet professional conduct, child protection and regulatory requirements.
We maintain a culture where safeguarding children is not simply a policy or procedure, it is part of everyday professional practice.
Strong Relationships with Children and Families
We recognise the importance of continuity, secure relationships and knowing each child well.
Educators take time to understand each child's personality, routines, interests, strengths, family context and learning needs. Families are valued as partners in this process, with their knowledge and perspectives helping educators develop a more complete understanding of each child.
As children grow and progress through the program, educators work together to support their wellbeing, learning, confidence and transitions.
A Team That Continues to Learn
We believe that professional growth is an important part of providing quality education.
Our educators participate in professional development, reflect on their practice, share knowledge and learn from one another. Supported by educational leadership and mentoring, the team continually considers how its practice can be strengthened and how the learning environment can be improved for children.
Qualified people, appropriate safeguards and a shared commitment to children's learning, wellbeing and safety.