About us

About Catharina

Hello, my name is Catharina.

I am the early childhood educator who founded EmPlay, an Early Childhood Teacher Keyworker service.

I have been an early childhood teacher for 10 years. I have always felt drawn to connecting with children who are sensitive, misunderstood, or unique. By truly understanding and supporting these children, I’ve been able to help them thrive in their own way.

After going through the early intervention process of attending therapies for my son, I upskilled and started EmPlay. My vision for EmPlay is for our keyworkers to support families in all environments where they need support. Our keyworkers are here for the children and their families. We implement strategies based on children’s current interests and development. We are here to carry some of the load, not to add to families’ to-do lists.

I am so passionate about this work because I have seen the immense benefits of early intervention firsthand with my son and with my clients. I am a certified DIRFloortime® Play Therapy practitioner. I have successfully completed the following ICDL DIRFloortime® courses: 101, 201, and 202.

I am a very grateful mother of three children aged 6, 3, and 9 months old. My children, partner, and I love going to the beach, having movie nights, and playing silly games before bed.

My name is Miren, and I have always had a deep passion for working with children. I began my journey in early childhood education and care in 2017 and have since completed my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Over the years, I’ve developed a strong interest in supporting children with diverse developmental needs. Watching them grow, develop new skills, and reach their goals brings me immense joy and fulfilment. I truly believe that every child is unique and has their own strengths and potential, and I feel privileged to be part of their learning journey.

I joined EmPlay in 2025 and have completed my DIRFloortime 101 and 201 certifications. I love working one-on-one with children, their families, and their communities, building meaningful relationships and creating positive, supportive environments.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature, going to the beach, and being with my partner, family, and friends. I’m also very excited to be expecting my first baby in January!

My name is Sarah, and I live on the beautiful Central Coast with my husband, Joshua, our son, William, and our dog, Odin. We love spending time outdoors, exploring, and creating lifelong memories together as a family.

I have over ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education and hold a Bachelor of Education. My background has given me a strong understanding of child development and the importance of nurturing relationships in supporting each child’s growth and wellbeing.

I am currently completing my DIRFloortime® Play Therapy Basic Certification, which has further deepened my understanding of how meaningful, relationship-based play supports social, emotional, and developmental growth.

As a Key Worker, I love being able to support children one-on-one across both early learning settings and home environments. Working closely with families and educators, I create play-based opportunities that build on each child’s strengths, interests, and goals. I’m passionate about empowering families and helping children feel confident, connected, and capable in their everyday routines. It’s a privilege to be part of each child’s journey as they learn and grow.

Hi, my name is Jasmine. I feel very fortunate to have spent the past 25 years caring for and educating children in a variety of settings. Over that time, I’ve completed a diploma and a degree in Early Education, which has given me a solid understanding of child development and how best to support each child’s learning journey.

I am passionate about play and play-based learning, the arts, literacy, nature, and supporting children and families in meaningful ways. I am currently completing my DIRFloortime® Play Therapy Basic Certification, which has deepened my understanding of how relationship-based play nurtures social, emotional, and developmental growth.

As a Key Worker, I love supporting children to grow, explore, and develop confidence through their strengths, interests, and curiosity. Being part of a child’s journey as they learn and thrive is something I truly love about my work, and I feel privileged to work closely with families to make this happen.

Hello, my name is Sarah. I have a Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 Years) from Charles Sturt University and four years’ experience in Early Childhood Education and Care.

I have spent the last two years in a high school setting as a Student Learning Support Officer, where I implement small group literacy and numeracy sessions with differentiation to support each student’s learning needs.

I am passionate about play-based learning and inclusive education, choosing Early Intervention and Inclusion as a focus area during my university studies. Having experienced the process of speech therapy with my own son, I understand how valuable early intervention can be for children and their families, and I appreciate that every child learns and develops in their own way.

I look forward to working with you and your child, supporting their learning and development through relationships and play.

Hello, my name is Tahlia.

I am the Administration & Accounts co-ordinator for EmPlay.

I am very proud to say that Cat has been seeing my son Luka since 2024 (We are one of Cat's OG clients). 

I am very passionate about the work and therapy that Emplay offer, as it really caters to individual children's needs and their personalities & I have seen firsthand the immense changes in my own child.

I can really relate to families in the thick of it, feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  I was there with my own child, and I can promise it gets better!! It's all about the team you have on your side to go on this rocky journey with your family & child.  

 As a mum of a neuro-divergent child, it's hard to get the right team and therapists behind you and your child, and I can honestly say that I am very grateful we found Cat and I am beyond excited to be part of her Emplay team within the Administration & Accounts role.