Michelle Carrick is an early childhood teacher with close to 20 years’ experience working in the education sector. Her passion for early years education includes an interest in earth care, play, creativity and community connection. This focus informs the research in her Master of Education (Social Ecology). Michelle’s research draws on her expertise in early childhood and environmental education, integrating her understanding of interdependence and how we can look towards nature and ecological systems to inform human connectivity. Michelle has recently worked with ACECQA on the Quality Support Program to support and mentor early childhood services towards quality education and care. Currently Michelle is Children and Family Services Manager with Waverley Council, where she will broaden her community engagement knowledge to understand and build opportunities for social ecology in early childhood.