Our Educators

Dedicated, passionate and committed to Wee Wonders’ mission of inspiring children to wonder, most of the staff have been here a long time. Some have been involved in the centre for almost 20 years. We have families that have been here for 11 years and all their children have had the same main carers looking after them. It’s this consistent quality in our staff that makes Wee Wonders stand out from the crowd.

Wee Wonders always has qualified Educators, many with degrees, working with good ratios to achieve best outcomes.

Wonderful… Educators

SIOBHAN FINEGAN Wee Wonders Director, Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, Educator, Masters Degree qualified (B.ED M.ED)

I was born in Tipperary, Ireland and immigrated to Australia when I was six. I’m a proud Irish Australian and come from a big family – I’m one of…

five and have 13 nephews and nieces.
Teaching has always been my passion. I completed my Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching and taught here in four schools and in New Guinea and London for 10 years. I returned from London to re-train with my mum and open this centre.
I’ve been running Wee Wonders for two decades. I love this place: all the families, children and staff. I feel very committed to it and I love that everyone involved feels that way, too.
Travelling is my other passion. So far Africa and South East Asia have been the highlights. I love to explore the world and its people.

MARNEY MORRISEducational Leader & Main Nursery Carer, Certified Supervisor, Educator, Degree qualified (B.Teaching EC)

2019 marks my seventeenth year at Wee Wonders. I’m an only child and I grew up in Mascot. I have a big extended family that lives in both the Central…

and South Coast. Before starting my job at Wee Wonders I completed my HSC at JJ Cahill Memorial High School. Through my high school years I studied Exploring Early Childhood. I had a lot of hobbies including: dancing, acting, swimming and art — just to name a few. Dancing was my main hobby and I participated in many competitions over a 16 year period. Performing at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics was the biggest dancing thrill I had. Having thousands of people shouting “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” as I tapped my way down the stairs was amazing!

I’ve wanted to be a childcare worker for as long as I can remember and I’m so happy that I found this warm loving environment. I started at Wee Wonders as a trainee the day I turned 18. I’ve completed my Cert III and Diploma. In 2013 I also completed my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood. This will be my 12th year in the nursery. I always really looking forward to starting with my new little group each year, and caring and teaching them for their first years before they move up to the Big Room. I’m not looking forward to seeing another group of my babies going off to school this year. Can’t we just keep them forever?!

I would like to thank Siobhan, Josie (Nan), and Patrick (Pa) for giving me the opportunity and guidance over the last 16 years to help me become the childcare worker I am today. Each year here at Wee Wonders I’ve learnt and grown as a person and I believe I have Siobhan to thank for this as she’s a wonderful role model. I love working here and working with your children and having a family in my workplace, too.

HOLLY WILKESPreschool Teacher, Certified Supervisor, Educator, Degree qualified (B.Teaching EC)

I’m an only child, born in Sydney. Ever since I was in Primary School I always wanted to work with children. I’ve always been a bit of a “big kid”. I have…

completed my Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services) and started work at Wee Wonders as soon as I finished TAFE (2003).

I enjoy playing Hockey as a sport. I play twice a week and love to be out in the sun when I’m not shopping or driving around in my car…

While working at Wee Wonders I’ve completed a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education by correspondence at the University of New England.

This is my 16th Year at Wee Wonders and I’m looking forward to many more wonderful years in the Wee Wonders community.

JAMIE WILLIAMSMain Carer of Toddlers, Educator, qualified Children’s Services (CERT III)

I am originally from the United Kingdom, growing up in a small town called Bury. I came to Australia in 2012 for one year but ended up…

finding my partner Rebecca and her two children Jack and Mikayla. I am now a permanent resident and Rebecca and I are expecting twins in 2019!

I enjoy technology, movies and outdoor activities including walking my dog and spending time with my family.

I hold a certificate 3 and I’m currently close to finishing my diploma in childcare. I have worked in care services for over 10 years working with adults and children with disabilities and for the last 6 years working at Wee Wonders.

CARINA HAURUA Educator

I was born and raised in New Zealand, being the middle child of three; I have an older and younger sister. My heritage is mainly from the Cook Islands, however, I also have German…

and English ancestry.
I served in the Royal New Zealand Army Signal Squadron Territorials for three years as a challenge in my life.
Prior to joining the Wee Wonders team I was a full-time respite carer for an elderly woman.
My passion is music and I have been singing professionally in various bands for the past 23 years. I have also been involved in a community school called Sing and Perform for 8 years, assisting with students.
When the Village People toured Australia in 2007 I had the privilege of supporting them as a back up singer in all of their concerts in New South Wales.

ALEXANDRA WRIGHTAssistant Educator, working towards B.ED EC

Hello! My name is Alexandra, you may hear the kids calling me Alex, Lexi, Ar or any other variation. One of the first babies to attend Wee Wonders, I…

graduated from St Vincent’s College in 2015 and am currently studying a Bachelor of Education and loving it. Growing up in a large family around the Eastern Suburbs I have always enjoyed helping look after younger family members, family friends and members of the community. I have always found myself naturally stepping into leadership positions and have a passion for helping others. I have always known I wanted to be a teacher. I find it really rewarding and strive to provide the best quality learning experiences for the children in my care. My interests include: sport, the beach, the arts and reading.

FINN WRIGHTTrainee

My name is Finn, but at Wee Wonders I’m better known as “Big Finn”, the newest member of the team. I was born and raised in Australia…

and I’m one of six kids. I have one older sister Alexandra and four older brothers. My heritage is Irish. I’ve just finished my HSC at Waverley College in 2017 and I’m a Wee Wonders graduate from 2005. I’m also a Rugby enthusiast. I’ve played rugby union most of my life. I’m honoured to say I’ve represented my country playing in the Australian Schoolboys in 2017. I was recently picked for the Junior Wallabies to travel to Argentina to play in the World Cup.

Throughout my last year of school I donated a lot of time towards the social justice activities my school provided. These included: donating blood, bowling with the disabled and playing bingo with the elderly. I also enjoy being a positive sporting role model to children in my community.

I’m enjoying my new career in childcare immensely and find educating and caring for the children at Wee Wonders very rewarding.

VICTORIA YATESTrainee

Hi, my name’s Victoria. I was born and raised in New Zealand, the first born to my wonderful parents. My dad was a horseman and famous…

rugby player and mum a hardworking nurse. My family is proud of our Maori heritage and we embrace our Austrian/German and Portuguese ancestry as well.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time on our family farm riding horses, rounding up cattle and being a wild country kid with my equally wild cousins. My love of horses and equestrian experiences helped me to find one of my first jobs, working as a horse trainer. I trained polo ponies, pre-trained thoroughbreds, school ponies and travelled overseas to transport the horses to their new owners.

I’ve also worked in the media over the years as a radio announcer, news correspondent, newsreader and producer.

One of my passions is music. I love to write and produce music and to sing. I have an Advanced Diploma in Music Performance from TAFE NSW Sydney.

My beautiful sweet daughter Cleo is 26 years old and loves animals and sport and has a degree in Sports Science Management … Mama’s still waiting for her daily personal training sessions darling!

Another passion of mine is animal welfare and dog psychology. I enjoy fostering greyhounds and so far have had Lara and Bowie taking up all the room on our couches and beds. Music and animals are very therapeutic and I’d like to develop programmes to use them in our early education service.

EVA KARPANIEducator

I’m the second youngest of 10 children. I’ve 5 brothers and 4 sisters. My passion for working with children is inspired by coming from such a big family. I started my journey…

at Wee Wonders as a trainee and have loved every moment of completing my traineeship. I enjoy helping children reach their full potential. It’s inspiring watching each child achieve different milestones.

I’m half Tongan, a quarter Australian and Aboriginal. I’m proud of my culture and am curious to keep learning about it. I grew up in South Australia and moved to Sydney to pursue my love of rugby. I’ve had the honour of being an Australian representative and recently returned home from Fiji, bringing gold home for our country. I’ve played rugby for 7 years and would love to keep striving at it for many years to come.