Favourite part of the day to be outside with children?
Tash: In the afternoon, once they have been involved in the real “busy” play. Preferably out in the sunshine, lying on a blanket, eating an apple, listening to the birds, and watching the world go by.
Nicole: The chunk in the middle, after everyone has arrived and is immersed in their play. You can just watch the magic unfold.
Funniest thing you’ve seen happen during outdoor play?
Tash: An educator, who was over 6 foot tall, rolling in a barrel down a hill!
Nicole: Ditto! That moment still makes me laugh!
One small shift educators can make today for more effective supervision?
Tash: Get to know your kids.
Nicole: Communicate better with your colleagues about where you are going, what you are doing, who you have with you etc.
One thing you’d love every educator to reflect on when it comes to supervision?
Tash: How many times do you say no, stop or don’t, and is it really necessary?
Nicole: How do you balance the need to keep children safe, with their right to privacy and dignity?
What excites you most about helping educators create safer, more responsive environments?
Tash: Children being able to spend their time in our spaces doing what matters most to them, making the most of their time with us, without always being told no.
Nicole: Seeing educators learning to trust children and their play.
About Tash Treveton
Natashja “Tash” Treveton is a passionate early childhood professional and co-founder of Inspired EC. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Tash’s career has been a joyful adventure starting as a casual educator and growing into roles such as educational leader, director, approved provider, consultant, playground designer and passionate advocate for children.
Whether she’s designing magical outdoor environments, facilitating TimberNook experiences or guiding educators through the Talking and Thinking Floorbooks Approach as a licensed trainer for Claire Warden, Tash brings a sense of fun and possibility to every project. Her work is grounded in the belief that both children and educators thrive when given the freedom to explore, imagine and take risks. Tash has inspired thousands of educators across Australia and beyond through training, mentoring and books, with a particular passion for infant and toddler practice, slow pedagogy and supporting effective leadership.
About Nicole Halton
Nicole Halton is a passionate early childhood professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience in just about every role you can imagine: from educator and director to author, consultant, approved provider and resource developer. Nicole has made it her mission to help educators rediscover the joy and wonder of childhood through nature play, slow pedagogy, and authentic connection with children.
Since co-founding Inspired EC in 2008, Nicole has inspired countless educators across Australia and beyond with her workshops, books and resources, always encouraging them to embrace the messiness, adventure, and magic that comes with working with young children. When she’s not delivering a training session or putting together a new blog post for the Inspired EC blog, you will typically find Nicole with her head in a book or exploring the outdoors with her family.
