Our Team

Sam has spent the last 18 years nurturing the minds of young children. After welcoming her own children Sam found a love of adventuring and spending their days outside together under the sun surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Sam loves spending her days amongst the trees and by the water with her family + friends. With a passion for early childhood, sustainability and a love of working with her hands you will find her in the kitchen cooking delicious treats, gardening and getting creative.

Sam believes that by providing an environment that nurtures and nourishes a child’s natural wonder in the world around us, they will create an invaluable relationship with nature that they will want to protect into the future.

​You will find Sam facilitating each Monday + Tuesday at The Farm and occasionally at The Paddock.

Zoe is a Creative Arts Therapist and Children’s Yoga Teacher, with over 13 years experience in the education and disability world.

Zoe is extremely passionate about the wellbeing of children, the environment and expressive arts.

When not at Acacia Play, Zoe supports students at the local Steiner school and runs the incredible space that is The Cosmos Co.

She believes that the best learning, healing and growth is done by nurturing a child’s mind, body and spirit through play, creativity and nature.

You will find Zoe at The Farm on Wednesdays.

Chelsea has such a beautiful intentional presence with the children and brings a love of the natural world and a thoughtful approach to sustainability. She loves encouraging children to notice the small things around them, the plants and animals, the changing seasons, the garden, the things we can care for and the ways we can look after the places we share.

With a background in nannying, graphic design and photography, you’ll often find Chelsea drawing, painting, crocheting, crafting or taking photographs. She has a beautiful appreciation for creativity and connection, and loves creating spaces where people can slow down, gather together and be a little more intentional.

Chelsea joins us at The Farm on Mondays

Jess is a creative and nurturing soul, with motherhood and early childhood education at the heart of who she is. With years of experience fostering imagination, wonder, and a lifelong love of learning, she brings a warmth and curiosity that invites children to explore the world with open hearts and minds.

Blending her passion for music, art, and nature, Jess takes a holistic approach to encouraging creative expression. Whether she’s singing beneath the trees, guiding little hands through the magic of art, or pausing to admire a tiny creature, she finds beauty in the simplest moments and shares that joy with those around her.

You’ll often find Jess tending to the garden, marveling at the changing seasons, or caring for the beloved chickens - always eager to share her knowledge and love for the natural world. Through her gentle guidance, she nurtures a deep sense of connection, inspiring children to embrace the rhythms of nature and the wonders that unfold in every moment of play.

You will find Jess at The Paddock bringing her magic.

Sarah is the heart behind the beginnings of Acacia Play, planting the seeds when her daughter Sonni was just five months old, from a desire to create community, connection, and a place where children could develop a meaningful relationship with nature.

Since those early days, Sarah’s journey has continued to weave through wellbeing, creativity, education, and care. With over 13 years’ experience working across youth and disability services and within Steiner as a wellbeing mentor, Sarah brings a deep understanding of supporting children and families. Now a holistic counsellor, Farmer and Natural Dyer, Sarah continues to explore the connection between nature, wellbeing, and emotional health.

Sarah returns to Acacia Play contributing to its evolving story that she lovingly began. You can find Sarah at The Farm on Wednesdays + holding space for our Nurtured Mothers.

Elyse brings so much sunshine to Acacia Play with her vibrant energy.

A creative at heart and incredible reiki practitioner, Elyse loves to support children and their families to create a deeper connection to the world around them through creative experiences, spaces and sustainable practices.

Currently completing her Permaculture Design Course, Elyse is excited to implement this knowledge in her days here at Acacia Play.

Emma brings a deep love of learning and a wealth of experience from her years within Steiner early childhood education. She understands the importance of honouring childhood as a time of wonder, discovery, and connection, creating environments where children feel supported to explore the world around them at their own pace.

With a passion for sustainability, creativity, and mindful living, Emma encourages children to develop a relationship with nature through hands-on experiences and thoughtful exploration. She is especially drawn to the beauty of process art, where the focus is not on the finished creation, but on the joy of experimenting, discovering, and expressing ideas in unique and meaningful ways.

Emma’s approach is grounded in curiosity and respect for each child’s individual journey. Through gentle guidance and open-ended experiences, she inspires children to ask questions, embrace imagination, and find joy in the everyday moments of learning and discovery.

Millie is a passionate Early Childhood Educator with years of experience and a deep belief in the power of nature to inspire, nurture, and guide us. As a new mother, she found a sense of belonging at Acacia Play, where the values she cherished as both an educator and caregiver came to life in a supportive community.

With a gentle and grounding presence, Millie creates a warm and welcoming space where children and their caregivers can slow down, explore, and embrace the ever-changing beauty of the natural world. She sees nature as the ultimate guide, offering endless opportunities for play, learning, and meaningful moments of wonder.

Millie’s approach is rooted in compassion, creativity, and wonder. She brings a sense of calm and joy to those around her, guiding our children through their most formative years with care and intention.