ABOUT US
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At Milestones we design our work to suit the needs of each child and family with whom we work. We do this because each young person is experiencing a different level of self-belief, wellbeing, confidence, and competency and they are using a mindset and set of learning strategies specific to them – this has developed through their early years and their personal experiences at school.
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Our approach is embedded in developmental education and evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
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Our 1:1 work is also centred on building strong educator-child relationships, movement, play and fun, based on what we know about how the brain learns and copes with being challenged.
MEET US
BROOKE FINLAYSON
BAppSc(DisabilityStudies)
BEd(SpecEd) MEd(SpecEd)
DIRECTOR, EDUCATOR AND CONSULTANT
Milestones was born from a belief that all children should feel empowered and successful in themselves and with their learning. That all parents should feel confident in understanding their child’s learning needs and navigating the education system.
At Milestones, our work draws upon many disciplines and the lessons I have learned from 28 years of working with families and young people, that is, relationship, fun, and a developmental rather than ‘top down’ approach can lead to permanent rather than just temporary change.
Milestones is more than a name. It embodies the lessons learnt from a student who I taught in the early years of my teaching career. This student experienced frustration with the world around him and allowed me to learn the value of true unconditional positive regard and the strength in building safe and trusting relationships. I witnessed patience, persistence, and his strength in vulnerability. That young man’s name is Miles. The essence of my personal journey with Miles is the same one that embeds our work, and the passion we have for identifying and working towards the next Milestone of any child.
I have an exceptional team who all bring different, high-level skills to our collaborative work and who share in approach, beliefs and an ability to celebrate the small as well as the big wins.
KIRRILY DINGWALL
PRACTICE MANAGER
Kirrily brings a unique and rich set of skills to Milestones in her role as Manager. She draws upon over 20 years in education as a teacher, leader and literacy specialist, and also 20 plus years spent running a successful family business. Kirrily is an understanding first point of contact at Milestones and has a deep appreciation of the complexities around finding suitable supports for children and families, having lived this journey with her own children. Kirrily brings her calm demeanor and broad range of skills and ability to keep the Milestones ship sailing smoothly .
JAYE VENTURA
EDUCATOR
Jaye has a wide range of experience working with young people in classrooms and through undertaking specific interventions in a 1:1 structure. Jaye’s Master of Teaching leaves her with a thorough knowledge of the Australian Curriculum and a high awareness of the children who don’t experience success in their learning on a day-to-day level. Jaye’s ability to engage with children through play is exceptional. Through these skills, Jaye’s high energy and passion, the children with whom she works experience fun, a sense of belief and feel accepted as they are.
KASEY THORNE
EDUCATOR & SCHOOL SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Kasey has had an extensive career as both a teacher and school leader in a wide range of educational settings. Her passion for supporting children and families to succeed across educational and social environments is clear in the relationships she develops. Kasey’s in-school knowledge and experience allows her to provide explicit and tailored support to teachers and schools, so they are best able to meet the needs of children and young people. Kasey’s work is also informed by the Masters of Disability and Development Education that she is undertaking, and by her lived experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child. All of this experience allows families at Milestones to benefit greatly from connecting and tapping into Kasey’s deep level of knowledge and understanding and the multi-layered support she is able to offer.
DANIELLE LIBRANDI
EDUCATOR
Danielle is passionate about early childhood development and brings rich experience in play-based learning, special education, and early literacy intervention to her role as an Educational Therapist. She has worked extensively with children in the early years classroom who experience learning disabilities or neurodiverse profiles, with a particular interest in supporting early reading acquisition, dyslexia, executive functioning and emotional regulation. Danielle’s calm, playful and relational approach helps children feel safe and seen, while her hands-on sessions are tailored to meet each child’s unique needs. Her ability to build trust, follow the child’s lead, and use meaningful play makes her sessions both engaging and impactful, especially for those who find traditional learning environments challenging.
REBECCA JAFFRAY
EDUCATOR
Rebecca has an extensive variety of experience, having taught in classrooms, learning centres and 1:1 environments across New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the UK. Her further studies within Special Education at Flinders University, along with her experience as a parent of a neurodiverse child, provide a depth of understanding, familiarity and insight from different perspectives. She is fun and creative in her work, enjoying the mediums of art, craft and drama to explore a child’s area of focus in a ‘hand’s on’ way, prioritising happiness and well-being to encourage self-belief and perseverance. She has a wonderful ability of building trusting relationships that help children to feel safe and comfortable in trying new challenges.